DHR Summer Festival 2026: Heritage Toy Train Transforms into Mobile Cinema at Kurseong
Queen of the Hills gears up for cultural renaissance as UNESCO heritage railway celebrates first-ever film festival
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has launched its most ambitious cultural event ever — the first-ever Summer Festival featuring heritage-themed film screenings inside the iconic toy train.
The week-long festival, running from June 8 to June 14, 2026, is transforming Kurseong Railway Station into an open-air cinema, with heritage coaches of the UNESCO World Heritage toy train serving as mobile screening venues.
"Screening on Wheels" — The Festival's Crown Event
The flagship attraction, "Screening on Wheels," will take place on June 13 and 14 (today and tomorrow) at Kurseong Railway Station, where heritage-themed films will be screened inside the century-old toy train coaches with misty hills visible through the windows.
"This is a historic first. We're not just showcasing the toy train — we're presenting the culture it carries," said Rishab Chowdhury, Director of DHR.
DHRUMA Film Festival: Mountain Stories on Screen
The festival includes the DHRUMA Film Festival (Darjeeling Himalayan Railways Universal Motion Arts Film Festival), a collaboration with international film organization Motion Arts, featuring an open-call competition for short films and documentaries on:
Mountain life and culture
Local traditions
Heritage preservation
Complete Festival Schedule
Date Event Location
June 8 🚴 Color-soaked Cycle Rally Sukna to Giddhapahar
June 8-14 🎨 Drawing Competition (nature-inspired) Throughout festival
June 8-14 ✏️ Ballpoint Pen Doodle Contest Throughout festival
June 8-14 📝 Poetry Slam Throughout festival
June 8-14 🖼️ Painting Exhibition Elysia Place HQ, Kurseong
June 8-14 🎭 Daily Tribal Performances Traditional dance, music, folklore
June 13-14 🎥 Screening on Wheels (Open-air cinema) Kurseong Railway Station
June 14 🎓 Filmmaker Masterclasses Kurseong
Filmmaker Masterclasses for Students
On June 14, filmmakers from the hills will conduct masterclasses for school students on "How to craft narratives rooted in culture, memory, and heritage."
Cultural Renaissance Movement
Raj Basu, Secretary of the Heritage Committee, emphasized the festival's deeper purpose:
"Initiatives like this deepen the emotional and cultural bond between tourists and the hills."
Sadhan Roy, a local tourism stakeholder, added:
"DHR has turned a corner — this is more than a festival; it's a movement to revive and reimagine hill tourism."
Tourism Surge Mirrors Festival Success
The festival coincides with DHR's record-breaking performance. In May 2026, the toy train achieved its highest-ever monthly revenue of ₹395.60 lakh, driven by increased tourist arrivals — the strongest summer season in recent years.
Event Details
Where: Kurseong Railway Station, Darjeeling
When: June 13-14 (Final day: Tomorrow)
Time: Open-air screenings begin evening
Free Entry for school students attending masterclasses
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