Shimla Gears Up for a Sparkling Winter Carnival From December 24

Shimla is getting ready to welcome the festive season with the third edition of the Winter Carnival, set to begin on December 24 at the iconic Ridge and Mall Road. This year’s carnival promises a lively mix of performances by well‑known artists from across India, along with local talent, a food festival, a fashion show, and several other attractions.

Municipal Corporation officials said preparations are in full swing, with the town being decorated with colourful lights and festive installations to create a vibrant holiday atmosphere.

Mayor Surinder Chauhan shared that discussions on the event’s final layout are underway. The list of star performers is being curated, and each evening will feature a different set of entertainment programmes. Local artists, he added, will also get a platform to showcase their talent.

Chauhan said the aim is to ensure that everyone visiting Shimla during the Christmas and New Year holidays leaves with memorable experiences. “Lakhs of tourists come to Shimla at this time every year, and the winter carnival has become a major attraction for them,” he said.

Tourism Dept Urges Stakeholders to Ensure Smooth Experience During Snowfall

Tourism and Civil Aviation Director Vivek Bhatia urged all tourism stakeholders to provide the best possible facilities and assistance to visitors during snowfall this winter. Chairing a meeting with hoteliers, guides, and other tourism representatives, he said that ensuring a pleasant experience for tourists must be a collective effort.

Bhatia discussed various government initiatives aimed at improving tourism services and appreciated the stakeholders’ willingness to share suggestions. He stressed the importance of coordination with district tourism development officers.

During the meeting, stakeholders raised several points.

• Baldev Thakur highlighted tourism activities happening in the forest areas of Kufri and requested better regulation.
• Sanjay Thakur sought action against negative publicity by certain bloggers.
• Others suggested providing identifiable jackets for photographers and tourist guides.

District Tourism Development Officer Jagdish Sharma added that efforts are underway to integrate all tourism stakeholders through online platforms with the help of private portal developers.