Himachal Dy CM attends Grand Finale of Shimla Summer Festival 2026
Shimla, June 13
Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri attended the final cultural evening of the five-day International Shimla Summer Festival 2026 as the chief guest at the historic Ridge Maidan.
On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner and Chairman of the International Shimla Summer Festival Organising Committee, Anupam Kashyap, on Friday honoured the chief guest with a traditional Himachali shawl, cap and memento.
The Deputy Commissioner also felicitated Shimla Urban MLA Harish Janartha, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Milkfed Chairman Maheshwar Singh Chauhan, HIMCON Chairman Vij Chauhan, Finance Department Secretary and Chief Minister's OSD Gopal Sharma.
The Deputy Chief Minister also released the souvenir of the International Shimla Summer Festival 2026.
Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Shimla Sachin Sharma, Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma, Additional District Magistrate (Protocol) Jyoti Rana, along with other distinguished guests and administrative officers, were present on the occasion.
The five-day-long Shimla Summer Festival concluded on Friday with thousands of tourists and residents thronging the historic Ridge Maidan, turning the state capital into a vibrant hub of culture, music and festivities.
The festival, one of Himachal Pradesh's most prominent cultural events, showcased the rich traditions, folk arts, local cuisine and handicrafts of the hill state while also featuring performances by artists from different parts of the country. Pleasant weather conditions and the scenic surroundings of Shimla further enhanced the appeal of the event, drawing large crowds throughout the festival.
While most visitors appreciated the cultural showcase and festive atmosphere, some tourists suggested that the event should be held outside the peak tourist season to reduce overcrowding and traffic congestion in the hill station.
Speaking to ANI, Deepak Chauhan, a tourist from Delhi, said he thoroughly enjoyed the festival but felt it would be better if it were organised in July instead of June.
"We are enjoying a lot and having a great time. The festival is wonderful, but there is too much traffic and heavy congestion because of the large number of people. My suggestion is that the Summer Festival should not be held during the peak tourist season. It can also be organised in July. The crowd has increased significantly, and traffic is getting affected, but overall it feels very good," Chauhan said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some good news from Himachal! The weather there is magical in June, and showcasing local handicrafts and folk arts is exactly what we need to preserve our heritage. But yes, traffic jams in Shimla are a nightmare - I remember waiting 2 hours just to reach Mall Road last summer. Maybe they should organize shuttle services from outskirts.
Good initiative by the government but honestly, where was the outreach to local artists? I saw mostly big names performing. The souvenir release also feels like just another photo op. Himachali artists need more platforms, not just politicians getting honoured with shawls. 😕
The Ridge looked stunning in all the pictures! 🌸 I wish they'd also promote homestays in nearby villages instead of just spotlighting Shimla town. Small businesses in places like Kufri and Fagu could benefit too. And yes, please fix the traffic mess - it spoils the entire mood when you're stuck in bumper-to-bumper.
As someone from Shimla, I love that our culture gets this spotlight. But can we talk about why they always honour the same political faces year after year? Where was the recognition for the young local artists who actually performed all week? The Deputy CM's presence is fine, but let's not make it just a political event.
Came from Australia specifically for this festival and I have to say, the energy here is incredible! The folk dances were brilliant. But honestly, the traffic situation is worse than Sydney's peak hour. July would definitely be a better month - less chaos, more enjoyment. Still, a wonderful experience overall.
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