Hornbill Festival 2026
Ten days in December when Nagaland's tribes gather in one village.
Countdown to Hornbill 2026
Dates
When is Hornbill Festival?
Hornbill Festival 2026 falls from Tuesday, 1 December 2026 to Thursday, 10 December 2026 (expected; it can move by a day). In 2027 it falls from Wednesday, 1 December 2027 to Friday, 10 December 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
The 27th edition runs 1–10 Dec at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, opening on Nagaland's Statehood Day.
Date checked against ddindia.co.in
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 – 10 December 2026Tue – Thu | 10 days | Expected |
| 2027 | 1 – 10 December 2027Wed – Fri | 10 days | Expected |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Music & Sound
- Tradition
- Secular & Civic
- Where
- Kisama, Nagaland
- Crowd
- Visitors from across India and abroad
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
On a hillside outside Kohima, each of Nagaland's tribes keeps a traditional house for ten days in December. In front of them, dancers in feathered headgear and woven shawls perform the songs of their villages.
The Hornbill Festival is organised by the Government of Nagaland at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. It opens on 1 December, Nagaland's Statehood Day, and brings together the state's tribes, each with its own morung — a traditional communal house — built on the site.
Days are given to dances, folk songs, games and craft displays by each community, while evenings move to Kohima for concerts, a night market and the long-running rock contest. The festival is named after the great hornbill, a bird that features in the folklore, songs and ceremonial dress of many Naga tribes.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Hornbill
Traditions
What actually happens
- Tribal morungs — traditional houses where each community displays its crafts and food.
- Folk dances — performances by each tribe in the arena, many tied to harvest and war.
- Indigenous games — demonstrations of traditional sports such as wrestling and top-spinning.
- Night bazaar — Kohima's evening market of food and crafts during the festival.
Food
The table, widened
- Smoked pork with bamboo shoot or axone (fermented soybean), cooked differently by each tribe.
- Raja mircha, the fiercely hot Naga chilli, and rice beer served at the morung stalls.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Each tribe performs its own polyphonic songs and chants, often in call-and-response. In the evenings Kohima hosts concerts and the Hornbill rock contest, a reflection of the strong rock and gospel music scene in Nagaland.
Religion
Why this date
The festival is a state-run cultural event rather than a religious one. Most Nagas today are Christian, but many of the dances and songs on show come from older animist traditions linked to the agricultural cycle, and the festival presents them as shared heritage.
History
How it survived
The state government launched the Hornbill Festival in 2000 to promote cultural exchange between Nagaland's tribes and to support tourism. It has been held each December since and now takes place at the purpose-built Naga Heritage Village at Kisama. Kohima itself was the scene of a major Second World War battle in 1944, remembered at the Kohima War Cemetery.
History
How it got here
The state government launched the Hornbill Festival in 2000 to promote cultural exchange between Nagaland's tribes and to support tourism. It has been held each December since and now takes place at the purpose-built Naga Heritage Village at Kisama. Kohima itself was the scene of a major Second World War battle in 1944, remembered at the Kohima War Cemetery.
1944
Battle of Kohima
A decisive Second World War battle is fought around the town.
1963
Statehood
Nagaland becomes a state of India on 1 December.
2000
First festival
The Government of Nagaland holds the first Hornbill Festival.
Today
Annual gathering
The festival is held at Kisama from 1 to 10 December each year.
Travel & practical
Visiting Kisama for Hornbill
Getting there
Dimapur has the nearest airport and railway station; Kohima is about three hours away by road, and Kisama a short drive beyond.
Permits
Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, available online. Foreign nationals should check current registration rules before travelling.
Practical notes
Kohima is cold in December, especially at night. Accommodation fills early; homestays in nearby villages are a good option.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Hornbill Festival: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Hornbill Festival.
When is Hornbill Festival in 2026 and 2027?
The Hornbill Festival is held from 1 to 10 December each year, so the 2026 edition runs 1–10 December 2026 and the 2027 edition is expected on 1–10 December 2027, subject to the state government's announcement.
Where is the Hornbill Festival held?
At the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
Do I need a permit?
Indian visitors from outside the state need an Inner Line Permit. Foreign nationals should check the latest registration requirements with the Nagaland government.
Why is it called the Hornbill Festival?
It is named after the great hornbill, a bird respected in Naga folklore and represented in traditional dress and art.
Also in December 2026
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