Ziro Music Festival 2025, Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro Music Festival

Ziro Festival of Arunachal Pradesh is a four-day outdoor music festival set in the paddy fields and pine ridges of Ziro Valley, hosted with pride by the Apatani community. The 2025 edition is scheduled for 25 to 28 September with a strict no single-use plastic approach, and a line-up that blends Indian indie with select global acts across the Danyi, Pwlo and Takvr stages. You will need travel permits to enter the state- Indians can apply for an ILP, and foreign nationals can apply for a PAP for the same. Most travellers reach via Donyi Polo Airport near Itanagar or Lilabari Airport, then continue by road to Ziro.

Sunrise over paddy fields and pine ridges sets the scene for the Arunachal Pradesh Ziro Festival. The site sits inside a living valley, not a city ground, which keeps the mood calm and community led. Hosted by the Apatani community, the Ziro Festival in Arunachal Pradesh is widely regarded as India’s greatest eco friendly outdoor festival, with bamboo built stages, plastic free operations and a clear leave no trace ethic. If a mesmerising venue, breathtaking surroundings, and a listener friendly crowd sound right, the Ziro Festival of Arunachal Pradesh belongs on your calendar.

Essential information about Ziro Festival 2025

Ziro Festival 2025 dates: 25 to 28 September 2025
Location: Ziro Valley in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh. The valley is part of the Apatani Cultural Landscape that sits on the UNESCO Tentative List.
Stages: Danyi and Pwlo are the main day-to-evening stages. The electronic stage is called Takvr and was added later on, in 2023.
Ethos: Bamboo and wood structures, which are reused every year. Zero single-use plastic, free water refill stations and drinks in bamboo mugs.
Permits: Indians need an ILP. Apply online. Foreign nationals need a PAP. Apply through the e-FRRO system or an authorised office.
Ziro Festival 2025 artist list: Barmer Boys, Buried Treasures, Signal W, Gauley Bhai, Anna Erhard, Dualist Inquiry, Ford Trio, Chowraasta, Susmita Das, Guitar Prasanna, Uniyal, Swanand Kirkire’s Baawra LIVE,
Swarathma, Chorun Mugli, Shilpa Rao, NiiL, The Dreamcatchers, Your Sweetest Memories, Soumik Datta, Rudy Mukta, Susheela Raman, Kin’gongolo Kiniata, Waara, Pink Eye, Remi Remi, Ford Trio, Vedan, No. 7 Air Force Band, Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, Da Minot, Saitejas Chandrashekar – Carnatic Harmonica Recital, Donn Bhat, The Rudy Wallang Band, Larger Than 90, Sorri Senjam
Arunachal Pradesh Ziro Festival ticket price: Starts at INR 3,100 per person

How To Plan Your Visit?

Fix the Ziro Festival 2025 dates which you want to visit first. The festival runs from 25 to 28 September.
Arrive 1 day early to collect wristbands in daylight and settle in.
Sort permits in advance. Indians need an Inner Line Permit. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. Keep printed and digital copies handy for check posts.
Choose stays close to the grounds in Biiri or Hapoli. Camping near the venue keeps walks short. Homestays with Apatani families offer warm hosts and simple rooms.

How To Get More Details?

All live updates for the Ziro Music Festival Arunachal Pradesh come through the official Ziro Festival website and their verified social pages. Arunachal Pradesh Tourism channels also share advisories on permits, roads and weather. Check these sources before you book, then again in the week of travel for any on-ground changes.

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01

Ziro Festival 2025: What Makes It Different

Ziro Festival Arunachal is an independent music gathering that began in 2012. It was created by Bobby Hano and Anup Kutty. The idea was simple- put good artists on a clean, open stage in a valley where the community leads the welcome. That core still stands, and the focus remains on Indian indie, along with a few hand-picked international acts.

You can experience folk musical performances, singer-songwriter sets, rock, and live electronica. Artists from the North East get strong billing and listeners come to discover new names instead of chasing large headliners. That is what brings out the real value of the Arunachal Pradesh Ziro Festival.

This year’s line up includes some renowned names of bands and artists, such as Uniyal, Swanand Kirkire’s Baawra LIVE, Swarathma, and Shilpa Rao.

A Sustainable Approach

The volunteers of the festival help with waste segregation and water refill stations. Ziro music festival Arunachal Pradesh also ties into local arts, with workshops and community sessions often running during the day.

What you will notice on ground?

Stages and bridges built with local bamboo and wood, which are reused each year

Signboards made from reclaimed wood with eco paint

A strict no single-use plastic policy

Tamul plates and leaf bowls in food lines

Free water refill points so you can avoid bottles

Drinks served in bamboo mugs

Festival timings respect the valley and the neighbours.

Carry your own bottle and a small cloth bag for any purchases, and sort your waste at the bins. These steps matter here, and they are easy to follow.

The Stages and Experience

The two main stages of Danyi and Pwlo are usually used alternately so that you can catch most acts without long walks. The Takvr stage runs night sessions and may have limited capacity. Daily timings and curfew windows are set in agreement with the local community and shared close to the dates. In past editions, Danyi and Pwlo have run through the afternoon to about 10 at night, and Takvr has hosted late-night live electronica since 2023.

02

Arunachal Pradesh Ziro Festival- Important Information

Entry Permits:

1. Indian citizens:

You need an Inner Line Permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh. This process takes place online, where you submit basic details and ID, pick your entry point and dates, and pay the fee. Officers may ask to see it on the road.

2. Foreign nationals:

You need a Protected Area Permit, which can be applied for through the e-FRRO system or an authorized office. Carry your passport and permit copies at all times. Rules can change, so confirm current conditions before you travel.

Checklist for the Permits:

Apply online well before flights.

Use the same ID for permit and ticket booking.

Save offline copies on the phone.

Print two sets for backup.

Add one buffer day to the plan in case of road or weather delays.

Carry a digital copy and a print.

Tickets and Passes for Ziro Festival of Arunachal Pradesh

Ziro Festival ticket prices start from INR 3,100 per person.

Day passes and full festival passes go on sale in phases, with the Wristband collection counters marked at the venue.

You should buy passes only from the official Ziro Festival page.

Carry the same ID that you used for booking.

Always read the inclusions and the distance from the campsite to the grounds.

03

How to reach Ziro Music Festival 2025?

Reaching Ziro is part of the trip, where the roads and surroundings give you fine views. Here are routes that most visitors use.

1. By air:

You can fly to Donyi Polo Airport near Itanagar. The road time from the airport area to Ziro is typically around 4 hours. You can also use Lilabari Airport in Assam with a road time of about three and a half hours. Flight schedules can vary with the season, so plan your buffers. Alternatively, you can also fly to Guwahati (the nearest international airport) and reach Ziro via road/connecting flight from there.

2. By rail:

Naharlagun is the best possible railhead on the route, from here the travel time to Ziro is about 3 hours. Trains from Guwahati include the Donyi Polo Express. Check the current days of service before you lock in plans.

3. By road:

The road from Guwahati takes a long day. Many travelers break the journey with a night in Itanagar or North Lakhimpur. State buses and shared sumos connect these hubs with Ziro Valley.

Practical Travel Notes

Save homestay or campsite pins in offline maps.

Pre-book the last-mile cab from the hub.

Carry snacks and water for the road leg.

Keep permit copies ready for check posts.

If possible, try to reach the venue during daylight.

04

Ziro Festival Arunachal Pradesh 2025: Itinerary, stays, and dining

Thinking about pairing the Ziro festival of Arunachal Pradesh with a wider North East break makes perfect sense because travel time to the valley is significant and the landscapes nearby are outstanding. Thrillophilia’s North East tour packages can help you plan your holiday by offering you a curated itinerary, stays, transfers, permits, and more, so that you can focus on music instead of logistics.

Here are some sample itineraries to help you plan your trip to Ziro Valley:

4 days and 3 nights: Guwahati - Itanagar - Ziro Valley - Guwahati

6 days and 5 nights: Guwahati - Ziro Valley - Kaziranga - Guwahati

7 days and 6 nights: Guwahati - Ziro Valley - North Lakhimpur - Majuli - Kaziranga - Guwahati

Some other places to visit with Arunachal Pradesh tour packages are Dirang, Bomdila, Tawang, Nameri, Tezpur, and Bhalukpong. You can use the Ziro festival 2025 dates from 25 to 28 September as your anchor, then choose a plan that fits your time and budget. If you wish, you can customise the plans with Thrillophilia to enjoy a memorable holiday.

Things To Do in Ziro Valley

Short windows in the morning give enough time for simple and safe activities.

Visit the Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary with a local guide for forest edges and birding.

Wander along the Hong and Hari village lanes for bamboo homes and community squares.

Head to the Kile Pakho ridge for a wide view of the plateau and higher hills on clear days.

Visit the Dolo Mando viewpoint above Hapoli for a quick climb and town view.

Spend some time at the Tarin fish farm to see paddy and fish grown together.

All activities work best when done with respect for farmland and private spaces.

Where To Stay in Ziro: Camping, Homestays, And Small Hotels

The Ziro Festival Arunachal Pradesh uses a compact site, so staying close saves time and energy. Options include:

Bring your own tent

Ziro festival camping can be an interesting activity to try. You can bring your own tent or rent one from the festival location. If you are carrying your own, call out the size of your tent in advance. Also, check if sleeping mats are needed.

Homestays and small hotels run by Apatani families are warm and clean. You can expect simple and modest rooms, sometimes with food. You can stay inside villages and walk to the grounds or take a short ride. A few small hotels operate in Hapoli town. These work well if you want a fixed bed and a quick exit on the last morning.

What to Eat and Drink in Ziro: Street Food and Local Flavours

You will find two kinds of food at the Ziro Music Festival Arunachal Pradesh.

Food from the festival stalls with pork, smoked meats, bamboo shoot dishes, momos, thukpa and rice bowls.

Pan-Indian comfort dishes like curry and rice.

You can try the local drinks of Apong, which is basically rice beer, and fruit wines made with kiwi and apple.

05

Ziro Festival Arunachal Pradesh 2025: Travel Tips

What to Pack?

Late September brings mild days and cool nights in Ziro, with chances for short rainfall. Fields can turn muddy, so packing right but light can make the trip simple.

Rain jacket and rain cover for bags

Gumboots or sturdy shoes that can help you during rainfall

Warm layer, with sweaters and jackets for evenings

Sun hat and sunscreen for day sets

Refillable water bottle and small daypack

Torch or headlamp for night walks

Basic medicines and personal prescriptions

ID cards and printed permits in a zip bag

Power bank and offline maps loaded

Tips for visiting Ziro Festival:

Arrive one day early and collect the wristband in daylight and test the walk from the stay to the gates.

Keep the final schedule on the phone in offline mode.

Cash works better than UPI during peak load, so ensure to carry loose change.

Network dips at night when the crowd gathers, so keep your loved ones informed.

Download tickets, permits and maps ahead of time.

Keep the phone numbers for the stay and driver on hand when the signal dips.

Share rides if you are far from the grounds.

Entry and re-entry rules are printed on your wristband card.

Keep your permits and ID ready at check posts during arrival and exit.

Practical Etiquette That Matters

The Apatani community hosts the festival with care. Visitors can return that care with small actions, including:

Ask before taking photographs in villages.

Dress modestly inside villages and at sacred spaces.

Keep sound low after hours while walking back to the stays.

Stay on paths and avoid field edges.

Buy from local food and craft stalls to support families.

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