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Leh, Sept 25: Preparations for the Ladakh Festival 2026 have been completed, with the three day festival set to feature cultural performances, handicrafts, cuisine, photography, films, polo and archery.
Secretary Tourism & Culture, UT Ladakh, Sanjit Rodrigues, briefed the media on the festival preparations and said the event will provide a national platform to Ladakh’s cultural heritage while bringing artists and cultural troupes from across India.
The 25-member Shillong Chamber Choir has arrived in Leh and is rehearsing for the inaugural ceremony, while a 14-member cultural troupe from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will also perform during the festival.
The festival will feature a fusion concert by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), with a 47-member team representing different States of the Northern Zone.
Each district of Ladakh will also present its own cultural troupe, alongside performances by local artists, creating a pan-Ladakh cultural showcase at the Polo Ground.
A handloom and handicraft showcase at Leh Market and a food court featuring authentic Ladakhi cuisine will also be part of the festival.
The festival will additionally feature exhibition polo matches at Chushot Polo Ground and an archery competition in Leh. For the first time, the Ladakh Festival Archery Cup will be introduced, with teams from each district competing for a rolling trophy.
Photo exhibitions, film screenings and a local art and photography exhibition at Ranthang Art Gallery will further add to the programme.
This year, the traditional procession and evening cultural programme have been integrated. Nearly 1,000 artists and participants are expected to take part in the procession.
The Tourism & Culture Department has also encouraged hotels, restaurants, cafés, homestays and other hospitality stakeholders to promote the festival and facilitate tourist participation.
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