The Nongkrem Dance Festival is held every November at Smit, about 15 km south-west of Shillong, and lasts five days. Exact 2026 dates are set locally and I could not verify them, so confirm with Meghalaya Tourism. Fly to Guwahati, the main gateway, then go by road, or use Shillong’s small Umroi airport.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Nongkrem is one of the most important Khasi cultural celebrations, and getting to Smit is easier if you pick the right airport. Here is how the flights and the road fit together.
When is the Nongkrem Dance Festival 2026?
Meghalaya Tourism describes Nongkrem as held annually in November at Smit, as a five-day cultural celebration. I could not find a published official calendar for the 2026 days, and the individual rituals are fixed locally, so do not book a non-refundable ticket on a guess. Ask Meghalaya Tourism or the office of the Syiem of Hima Khyrim for the programme, and check it again a few days before you fly.
Because the festival falls in November, the window may already be close when you read this. Prefer a fare that allows changes, and keep your hotel booking flexible until the dates are confirmed.
What happens at the festival and where is Smit?
Smit is the capital of the Khyrim Syiemship, and the Ing Sad, the royal residence, is the main venue. On the fourth day, young Khasi men and unmarried Khasi women wear traditional dress and gold ornaments and perform a ritual dance in front of the Ing Sad. The celebration is built around thanksgiving, community and Khasi tradition, and the dates and access rules are best confirmed with the organisers.
Smit lies roughly 15 km south-west of Shillong according to Meghalaya Tourism. Other sources give slightly different figures, so treat it as an approximate short drive from the city rather than a precise distance. Be respectful: this is a living religious and cultural event, so ask before photographing rituals and follow the guidance of organisers.
Can you fly directly to Shillong?
Yes, but options are limited. Shillong Airport (SHL) is a domestic airport at Umroi, about 30 km from the city centre. Published listings show Alliance Air connecting Aizawl, Dimapur, Guwahati, Lilabari and Tezpur, IndiGo connecting Dibrugarh, Imphal and Kolkata, and SpiceJet connecting Delhi. Those lists are not dated, and passenger numbers at the airport fell in the most recent financial year reported, so schedules can thin out. Always check the airline’s own timetable for your date.
Did you know that Shillong’s airport has a concrete runway of about 1,829 m? A longer runway to take bigger jets has been discussed, but I found no confirmation that it has been built, so plan for smaller aircraft.
Why is Guwahati the main gateway?
Guwahati’s airport at Borjhar is about 28 km from Guwahati city and has far wider connections. Published listings show IndiGo, Air India Express, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet flying to a large number of Indian cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad, plus some international links. If you start from a city without a direct Shillong flight, the easiest plan is usually to fly to Guwahati and continue by road.
Shillong is about 100 km from Guwahati city by road along NH 40, and the drive usually takes about two and a half hours through hills past Umiam Lake. The airport is a little outside Guwahati city, so allow extra time when you plan the road leg, and avoid arriving at night if you are not used to hill roads.
How do you plan the journey?
Choose a fare family to match your flexibility. IndiGo sells Saver and Flexi Plus fares, and other airlines name their fare families differently, so compare what each includes. Web check-in and airport check-in are free on every Indian airline, so there is no check-in fee to worry about.
- Fly into Guwahati for the widest choice of airlines, then take a cab or shared taxi to Shillong.
- Use Shillong’s own airport only if a flight from your city fits your dates, and book a transfer to the city in advance.
- Pack warm layers: Shillong sits roughly 1,500 to 1,900 m above sea level, so November evenings can feel cool.
- Leave a buffer on your return day before an onward flight, since hill roads can slow down.
If you eat only vegetarian food, tell your hotel and any cafe you visit in Shillong at the start, so they can point you to suitable dishes.
Common Questions
What are the Nongkrem Dance Festival 2026 dates?
Meghalaya Tourism says it is held annually in November and lasts five days. I could not verify the exact 2026 days, so confirm with Meghalaya Tourism before you book.
Where is the festival held?
At Smit, with the Ing Sad as the main venue. Smit is roughly 15 km south-west of Shillong.
Which is the nearest airport to Smit?
Shillong Airport at Umroi is the closest, about 30 km from Shillong city. It has limited flights, so many travellers use Guwahati instead.
How far is Guwahati from Shillong?
About 100 km by road from Guwahati city, usually around two and a half hours, according to published figures. The airport is a bit further out.
Which airlines fly to Shillong?
Published listings show Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet. Routes change, so check each airline’s timetable.
Do Indian airlines charge for check-in?
No. Web check-in and airport check-in are free on every Indian airline.
Heading to Meghalaya? Search and compare flights to Guwahati and Shillong on HappyFares, set a price alert for your dates, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, for help. Domestic bookings carry zero convenience fee.
Festival dates, schedules, fees and rules change; verify current details with Meghalaya Tourism, your airline, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
