TNR News Network
Shimla: As the year draws to a close, Himachal Pradesh’s capital is gearing up for a vibrant spell of festivities, with the Winter Carnival set to return to Shimla from December 24 to January 1. Being organised for the third consecutive year, the carnival promises a colourful blend of culture, music, food and entertainment, bringing tourists and locals together on one platform to welcome the New Year.
The event will be inaugurated on December 24 by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in the presence of senior officials, public representatives and other dignitaries. The district administration and Shimla Municipal Corporation have stepped up preparations, with the aim of boosting winter tourism and creating a festive buzz in the hill town.
Himachali culture takes centre stage
Throughout the carnival, visitors will get a close-up view of Himachal’s rich traditions, from folk music and Nati dance to traditional attire and local cuisine. Special emphasis has been laid on promoting hill culture while also providing a platform to local artists to showcase their talent.
Key tourist hubs such as the Ridge and Mall Road have been decked up for the occasion. The Ridge has been readied for cultural evenings, while stalls lining Mall Road will display handicrafts, traditional artefacts and locally made products. Food counters serving Himachali delicacies alongside popular fast food items are expected to be a major draw.
Several selfie points have also been created across the city, designed to capture Shimla’s heritage and scenic charm, allowing visitors to take back memorable snapshots of their winter holiday.
Grand Nati, cultural parade among highlights
Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan said the Winter Carnival will feature a grand ‘mahanati’ and a cultural parade as key attractions. The Chief Minister is also expected to participate in the mahanati, with large crowds likely to join in to the beats of traditional folk music. The cultural parade will showcase the traditional costumes and cultural diversity of all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh.
Cultural evenings will be held every day from December 24 to January 1, featuring performances by well-known artists from within and outside the state. The civic body has said special efforts are being made to ensure maximum participation of local performers.
Music-packed evenings till New Year
The opening night on December 24 will focus on music, with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa fame Payal Thakur and Punjabi singer Rohanpreet Singh performing. December 25 will see rock band ‘Tatva’ take the stage, along with popular folk singer Arun Justa, while December 26 will feature Himachali singer Dilip Sirmauri and Haryanvi singer Vivek Raghav.
Evenings of December 27 and 28 will be marked by folk and Sufi music, with performances by Hemant Sharma, Popstar finalist Inderjeet Singh, Rajeev Raja, Ishant Bhardwaj, Indian Idol fame Anuj Sharma and Sufi singer Dr Neeta Pandey.
The celebrations will continue with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa winner Sanchita Bhattacharya performing on December 29, followed by popular hill singers. On December 30, audiences can look forward to performances by Kuldeep Sharma and Indian Idol fame Kumar Sahil.
New Year’s Eve will feature the Himachal Police band ‘Harmony of Pine’, along with Punjabi lyricist Gaurav Kaundal and folk singer Kishan Verma. The festivities will conclude on January 1 with a dose of laughter from comedian Ehsaan Qureshi, while Bollywood playback singer Hema Sardesai will add a musical flourish to ring in 2025.
