Ziro Festival of Music — Dates, Tickets & Travel Guide

The festival was established in 2012 by Bobby Hano, a local cultural promoter, and Anup Kutty, a musician. Their goal was to create a platform for independent musicians in India while promoting cultural exchange in the Northeast region. Starting as a modest gathering, it has grown significantly over the years to become one of India's premier outdoor music events. The organizers collaborated closely with the local Apatani tribe to ensure the festival aligned with indigenous practices. Today, it stands out for its strict zero-plastic policy and commitment to using eco-friendly materials for all event infrastructure, part of what makes Arunachal Pradesh a destination worth exploring beyond just the festival itself.

The Ziro Festival of Music is a cultural bridge between Northeast India and the rest of the world, giving regional artists a major stage alongside national and international acts. Held on Apatani farmland in the Ziro Valley, the festival foregrounds the tribe's sustainable way of living — particularly their wet rice and fish cultivation system, which sits on UNESCO's tentative list as the Apatani Cultural Landscape. Its environmental standards are equally deliberate: no single-use plastics, stages built from upcycled bamboo, and local sourcing throughout. Together they set a benchmark for sustainable event management in India.