Shillong, December 10 : Marking a grand conclusion to Meghalaya’s autumn calendar and ushering a festive spirit across Shillong, Winter Tales, 2025 returns to the iconic Wards Lake from 11th to 13th December 2025.
Organised by The Meghalayan Age Limited in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Meghalaya, and curated by Dakti, the event has been a staple for six years, taking place at the start of the Christmas season.
The festival will be inaugurated by Timothy D. Shira, Minister of Tourism, setting the stage for three days of culture, craft, and community celebrations.
Over the three days, Winter Tales aims to transform Ward’s Lake into a hub of creativity and celebration with a special curated lineup of different workshops, performances, and interactive sessions.
Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Wards Lake, the festival will open with an immersive three-day itinerary that seamlessly weaves indigenous heritage, sustainable living, and contemporary creativity.
The Main Stage will feature a diverse musical lineupranging from the folk sounds of Sur Na Nongkyndongand the “Folk Instrumental Project” to the contemporary beats of Khasi Bloodz, Blu Temptations, and Soul Groove, alongside special highlights like Daniel Syiem’s ‘Threads in Motion’, the ‘Paduh Aki’ performance, and daily musical acts by the Shillong Cosplay Community.
Beyond entertainment, the festival serves as a convergence for artistic exchange, that will hosts engaging sessions on different topics and book launces like “Shillong to Saigon” and photography with Pablo Bartholomew to zero-waste cooking and waste management, while the Master Craft Stage offersdemonstrations in pottery, cane, bamboo, and wood carving by master artisans such as Peter Marbaniang and the Ri Bhoi Artisans.
This year’s narrative is also highlighted by the ambitious “50 Years of Meghalaya in Light and Time” cyanotype project and the “Art and Nature to Nurture” exhibition, complemented by a ecosystem featuring an Artisanal and Farmers Market, Plant Nurseries, and a gastronomic journey through indigenous and contemporary cuisines paired with local wines and brews.
With Go Green Awards honoring eco-champions, interactive sessions with food and brew entrepreneurs, and dedicated zones for youth, art, and tea tasting, Winter Tales 2025 offers a holistic celebration of the community’s hands, heart, and spirit.
Winter Tales 2025 also prides itself on a story-telling journey, where every participant is local, and each craft carries a story of heritage and aspiration. This year’s gathering also focuses on the ‘natural and organic’ approach, by limiting the non-biodegradable and non-recyclable waste while keeping up to the aesthetics of the festival.
The best way to learn about Meghalaya is through its people and that is what Winter Tales endeavours for by having workshops and demonstrations interspersed throughout the festival venue giving guests a chance to intimately experience indigenous craftsmanship.
