Ziro Festival 2025: Green Music Event Returns in September

Preparations are underway for the 2025 edition of the Ziro Festival of Music, which will take place in Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, from September 25 to 28. Set against a backdrop of hills and rice fields, the festival is recognized nationally for hosting a diverse mix of independent musicians while maintaining a strong environmental focus. This year’s ticket prices are INR 3,100 for the opening day and INR 4,000 for each of the following days. A four-day festival pass is priced at INR 9,000. Tickets are available for advance purchase online. 

Ziro Festival 2025 To Focus on Sustainability

Launched in 2012, the Ziro Music Festival’s identity is rooted in collaboration with the local Apatani community. Stages are constructed from bamboo, and plastic is banned on festival grounds. Waste management is prioritized, with a goal to leave the site as it was found once the event concludes. Apatani residents are active participants in the planning and management, and their cultural presence is highlighted throughout the festivities.

The 2025 artist lineup features both Indian and international talent, including Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Shashikala Dani, Farhan Akhtar’s band Farhan Echoes, Taba Chake, MC Altaf, Lee Ranaldo, Ary Juliyant (Indonesia), Guy Buttery (South Africa), and Mannequin Death Squad (Australia). There will be three stages named Danyi (Sun), Pwlo (Moon), and the new Takvr Stage. They will be offering genres ranging from classical to electronic.

Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh are preparing for the festival by treating the event as a major logistical and cultural exercise. Arunachal’s district administration, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Lower Subansiri District, is working with police officers, heads of departments, and community representatives. Their efforts are aimed at crowd management, ensuring maximum security for visitors, along with sanitation and power. 

In addition to logistical measures, authorities are working closely with the Apatani community and various local groups to uphold the festival’s commitment to sustainability and integration of indigenous culture. The Ziro Festival is regarded as India’s greenest music festival, partly due to its strict plastic-free policy and its tradition of using bamboo sourced and crafted by local artisans for stages and infrastructure. 

Northeast India is becoming a major hub for concerts and music festivals, with states like Meghalaya and Assam taking steps to promote music events and tourism in the region. Assam has partnered with platforms like BookMyShow and has established a dedicated policy on concert tourism for large-scale events. Meghalaya has established the Chief Minister’s Grassroots Music Production (CMGMP) to promote grassroots-level music, host concerts, and support music production.