India’s easternmost village, in Arunachal Pradesh, is set to welcome 2026 with the inaugural Sunrise Festival, an adventure-based cultural and tourism celebration.
The festival is scheduled from December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
Dong, a village in Anjaw district’s Dong Valley, is the first habitation where the first rays of the sun strike the Indian soil every day.
Announcing the festival on Wednesday (December 24, 2025), Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said, “Dong, where India witnesses its first sunrise, is set to host the State’s first-ever Sunrise Festival for five days. This celebration highlights Dong’s unique distinction as the easternmost point of India. The festival will offer visitors a rare blend of nature, culture, and adventure, while showcasing the rich heritage of our indigenous communities.”
He stated that the festival aims to promote sustainable and responsible tourism, create new livelihood opportunities for local communities, and establish Dong as a landmark of India’s geographical and cultural identity on the global tourism map.
