Shimla Winter Carnival to become annual event from December 24 to January 1

The Shimla Winter Carnival is set to become a permanent feature of the hill town’s festive calendar, with the Himachal Pradesh government approving its annual organisation from December 24 to January 1 each year.

The decision has been formalised through a notification issued by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and has been welcomed by tourists, residents and stakeholders from the tourism and hospitality sectors. The carnival will coincide with the peak holiday season, covering Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year celebrations.

As per the notification, the responsibility of organising the event has been entrusted to the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), ensuring a structured administrative framework and continuity for the annual celebration.

Welcoming the move, SMC Mayor Surinder Chauhan said the winter holiday period is one of the most crucial for Shimla’s tourism-driven economy, with lakhs of visitors arriving from across the country and abroad. He said a well-planned cultural carnival during this period enhances the overall visitor experience while providing a boost to local businesses, hoteliers and service providers.

“The winter carnival adds vibrancy to the holiday season and makes tourists’ stay in the state capital more memorable,” Chauhan said. He added that cultural programmes at iconic locations such as The Ridge and The Mall help extend tourist engagement beyond routine sightseeing.

The Mayor recalled that the Shimla Winter Carnival was first organised in 2023 and inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Following its success, the event was repeated in 2024 and held for ten days, drawing an enthusiastic response from both tourists and local residents. Institutionalising the carnival as an annual event is expected to further stabilise and expand business activity during the festive season.

Apart from its economic impact, the carnival also serves as a platform to showcase Himachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, traditions and local talent to a diverse audience.

On preparations for the upcoming edition, Chauhan said regular meetings are being held to finalise the programme schedule and logistics. The process of selecting artists and performers is underway, and decorative work has already begun at major public spaces, including The Mall Road and The Ridge.

Tourism stakeholders and hoteliers have also welcomed the announcement, expressing optimism that the annual winter carnival will attract larger crowds and further strengthen Shimla’s position as a premier winter holiday destination.

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