Zostel’s FY25–26 data shows a shift in Gen Z travel: 1 in 3 young travellers now choose a music festival over a regular holiday. Festival-led trips on…
1/6Ziro Festival of Music, September 24–27, Arunachal Pradesh: Held every September in the pine-covered Ziro Valley, the four-day Ziro Festival of Music brings together music, local culture and the landscape of Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is held in the Apatani Valley, surrounded by rice terraces and hills. According to Zostel’s data, bookings for the festival have increased 7–8 times year on year, making it the fastest-growing festival on the platform. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
2/6Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, November, Meghalaya: Meghalaya’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival combines the state’s cherry blossom season with live music and cultural performances in Shillong. The 2025 edition, headlined by artists including Jason Derulo, The Script and Diplo, attracted more than 50,000 visitors, according to the data shared by Zostel. The 2026 lineup has not yet been announced. The festival was the most-booked event across Zostel’s network last year, while bookings for the 2026 edition are currently tracking at three times last year’s level, the company said. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
3/6Guns N’ Roses live, November 17, Assam: Guns N’ Roses will perform at Khanapara Ground in Guwahati on November 17, marking the band’s first performance in Northeast India. While the event is not a festival, it highlights the growing role of major international concerts in driving travel demand. Zostel said it saw a spike in traveller demand and occupancy when another international artist, Post Malone, performed in the region in 2025. For fans travelling from outside Assam, the concert could turn into a wider Northeast India trip, combining the event with local sightseeing and stays. (Image: Reuters)
4/6Hornbill Festival, December 1–10, Nagaland: The Hornbill Festival is held annually in Nagaland from December 1 to 10, bringing together Naga traditions, food, crafts, music and cultural performances. The event also features the Hornbill Music Festival, which showcases local and touring artists. It evolved from the government-run Hornbill Rock Contest, which was held from 2004 until it was discontinued in 2019. According to Zostel’s report, Northeast India stands out for both the number and diversity of festivals, making the region an increasingly important destination for experiential travel. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5/6Sunburn, December, India: Sunburn remains one of India’s biggest electronic music festival brands and is among the marquee live events attracting travellers from different parts of the country. The festival typically takes place around the December holiday period, although the exact 2026 dates and venue details are yet to be announced. Zostel’s report places Sunburn alongside major live-event draws such as Coldplay, Lollapalooza India and Rolling Loud as examples of events that can influence travel and accommodation demand. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
6/6Music festivals become a travel driver: The growth of festival-led travel comes as India’s live events market expands. According to the data cited in Zostel’s report, the country’s live events market is now worth more than $2 billion and is growing at nearly 20% annually. The report also estimates that every ₹1 spent on a concert ticket generates another ₹3–3.5 in travel, accommodation and local spending, highlighting the wider economic impact of live entertainment. For Gen Z travellers, the festival itself is increasingly becoming the reason for the trip, rather than simply an activity added to a conventional holiday. (Image: Canva)
