Meghalaya Govt to set up evening market at Ward’s Lake from January 19 to March 31

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 18, 2024

The Government of Meghalaya is welcoming 2024 with an evening market set-up at Ward’s Lake (Nan Polok) in Shillong that will commence from 19^th January to 31^st March 2024, Monday to Saturday over the evening hours from 5pm to 9pm. Evening markets are a popular attraction that have been a staple for many tourist destinations across the world. They have proven to boost not just the economy but also the quality of life of the residents. The project is an initiative of the Meghalaya Tourism Department and will be implemented by Meghalayan Age Ltd.  

Evening markets set themselves apart from the regular marketplace as their aim is to build connections through food, arts, craft, music and more. While the various stalls and activities will be organized to engage and entertain guests, the deeper value of the market lies in creating a platform to showcase and encourage the local entrepreneurs, craftsmen, farmers and artists. It also serves as a break from the monotony of commercialization enabling visitors to support these local entrepreneurs while spending quality time in the beautiful and peaceful surrounding of the iconic lake in the heart of the city. 

The evening market will host vendors on a rotational basis giving guests a chance to interact with a variety of entrepreneurs over three months. There will also be art and photography exhibitions along with other curated experiences to promote the vast pool of talent within the state. Apart from the indigenous food and wine stalls, the evening market will also be a place for trade and commerce with a farmer’s market selling organic produce, processed Agro produce such as spices, pickles & beverages and crafts stalls selling handmade goods. Since the holiday season is still upon us, parents can bring their children to the evening marketplace that will have a dedicated kid’s play zone and experiences set up for them. Music will set the mood for each evening and will be presented by Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (MGMP) which has brought out several talented artists from the state. 

The evening market is open to all and tickets will be available at Ward’s Lake Gate 2 & 3 for Rs 100 per person. Entry is free for Children below 10 years. The proceeds from each week’s ticket sales will be donated to noteworthy organizations & institutions every. So let’s make the most of this winter season and take a stroll around Ward’s Lake for a wholesome and authentic Meghalaya experience!