10–12 December 2026 · Shyntorbulia Village, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya
Shyntor Festival returns to Shyntorbulia this December for three days of music, Khasi culture and community life, set in a farming village of just 63 households in the hills of Ri Bhoi.
This is not a festival that simply arrives in a village and leaves. It is organised by the Rongjeng Welfare Foundation with the consent and participation of the local community. After festival and administrative costs are met, the remaining funds go towards development works in the village.
72 Hours. Two Moods.
The festival unfolds as one continuous experience, divided into two distinct halves.
Jamboree — The First 36 Hours
A cultural immersion in village life, featuring Khasi, Garo and Jaintia cultural troupes, traditional music, local food, crafts and the everyday rhythm of a working farming community.
Visitors are welcomed into the village rather than simply shown a performance.
Euphoria — The Next 36 Hours
The mood shifts into continuous live and electronic music, extending into the night across the valley.
The complete 2026 line-up will be announced on this page.
The Waterfall
About a 30-minute walk from Shyntorbulia through forest lies Pamrinai Waterfall, formally known as Um Siyang, beside Pamrinai village.
The waterfall was opened to visitors for the first time during the inaugural Shyntor Festival in 2025. For many visitors, it remains the quiet centre of the festival experience.
The Rongjeng Welfare Foundation has written to the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, and the Department of Tourism, requesting a safety survey, a notified viewpoint and clearing of the road leading to the base of the falls.
Sports Week · 8–12 December
The festival is preceded and threaded through by a full programme of sporting activities involving local youth and neighbouring villages.
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16-team village football tournament — 8, 9 and 10 December, featuring teams from Shyntorbulia and neighbouring villages
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Traditional archery competition
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Shyntorbulia–Pamrinai–Waterfall trail run
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Judo demonstration and competition — 12 December, 6–7 pm
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Visitor Sports Zone — volleyball, badminton and netted cricket
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Pre-event youth sports camp for young people from Shyntorbulia and surrounding villages
The football tournament prizes will be presented during the festival rather than immediately after the final, bringing the wider village community together for the celebration.
Getting There
| From | Approximate distance / journey |
|---|---|
| Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati | About 3 hours by road |
| GS Road, Nongpoh | 25 km · About 1 hour on the hill road |
| Shillong | Via Nongpoh |
The final stretch is a hill road. Daylight travel is recommended.
Staying at the Festival
Akbar Travels, Mumbai is the exclusive travel partner for Shyntor Festival 2026 and is offering a three-night camping package from 10–13 December.
Guests will stay in tents along the Umshiang River, beside the village.
The package includes:
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Three nights of camping accommodation
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A day trip to Shillong
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Trek to Pamrinai Waterfall
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Festival-related travel and logistics
More than 100 overnight travellers from across India are expected through the camping package, alongside an estimated 1,500–2,000 visitors from outside Meghalaya and more than 5,000 visitors from Meghalaya and the wider region.
Who Is Behind Shyntor Festival?
Shyntor Festival is organised by the Rongjeng Welfare Foundation, a non-profit organisation working on rural development, disaster relief and community welfare across Meghalaya and Assam.
The festival is held with the formal consent of the Dorbar Shnong, Shyntorbulia.
India Tourism has also confirmed its support, including promotion through its own channels.
Partner With Us
Sponsorship, stall and advertising opportunities are open for Shyntor Festival 2026.
Opportunities include participation in the festival grounds and advertising in the printed tourist souvenir covering the Guwahati–Shillong circuit.
For partnerships, sponsorship and other enquiries: rwf@shillong.com