SHIMLA: The queen of the  hills gears up for a vibrant week-long winter carnival, set to unfold from December 25 to 31, 2023.

if one goes by the IMD, tourists may miss the white Christmas this time as weather is predicted to be dry. 

But they can delve their tentative toes into merrymaking during the Shimla winter carnival. 

Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi, chairing a review meeting, highlights the diverse cultural showcase awaiting both tourists and locals.

Winter Carnival is expected to give a push to to the sagging tourism industry hit in summer by the natural disaster. 

The Language and Culture Department will kick off festivities with a cultural parade on December 25, featuring groups from different districts.

The Women and Child Development Department plans a mass women's dance, while various cultural groups promise daily entertainment.

NZCC artists, Battle of the Bands, and performances by Army, Police, and Home Guard bands, organized by Municipal Corporation Shimla, will grace each day.

Stalls by self-help groups, rural livelihood missions, trade boards, and local businesses will line the route from Daulat Singh Park to Gaiety Theatre.

Children can partake in activities at Rani Jhansi Park. Evening programs at Gaiety Theatre, including Sufi singing, Qawali, and a theater festival, add to the carnival's allure.

Negi stresses on the police ensuring law and order and smooth traffic flow. The electricity department is tasked with maintaining uninterrupted power supply.

The meeting, attended by officials from various departments, outlines a rich cultural tapestry awaiting visitors and locals alike in Shimla's Winter Carnival.