[category]
[title]
More than half of Nagaland’s population is agroforestry-dependent, and so it’s very obvious that this translates into many of the state’s festivals. The legendary Hornbill Festival is, then, no surprise, and the 2026 edition is set to return to Nagaland from December 1 to 10, bringing 10 days of Naga culture, music, food, traditional performances, crafts and indigenous sports to Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima. Organised by the Government of Nagaland, the annual festival is one of the state’s biggest cultural events and has been held every December since 2000.
For the indigenous people of Nagaland, the 10-day fest is a sacred occasion, and for travellers like you and me, it’s more like a gateway to not only Nagaland’s traditions and food, but also to its breathtaking valleys. Planning to attend? Here’s everything you need to know about Hornbill Festival 2026, including the dates, venue, how to get there, tickets, what to expect, events and things to do around Kohima.
What does the Hornbill Festival celebrate?
Named after the large and colourful hornbill bird, which holds immense cultural, sacred, and symbolic value in Naga folklore and traditions, the festival celebrates the different tribes of Nagaland. Conceived in 2000 by the state government, it usually takes place every year during the first week of December.
The show puts up a dazzling mix of Nagaland’s cultures and traditions under one roof. And there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained, too: the popular Hornbill Music Festival runs alongside the celebrations, adding music and even more energy to the mix.
All tribes of Nagaland participate, and certainly with style! The week-long celebration features local cuisine, performances, traditional arts and crafts (many for sale also), and a fascinating variety of indigenous activities like the Traditional Naga Morungs. There's plenty more to look forward to, like herbal medicine pop-ups, flower stalls, fashion shows, traditional archery, Naga wrestling and concerts.
Where’s Kisama Village?
Kisama village is a purpose-built cultural venue near the state capital, Kohima. During the Hornbill Festival, its traditional Morungs come alive with performances, demonstrations, food and crafts, turning the village into a buzzing cultural playground.
Beyond Kisama, Kohima also hosts various evening entertainment and cultural activities, making the festival experience stretch well beyond the daytime arena.
How to reach Hornbill Festival?
By air: This is your best bet. Fly to Dimapur Airport, about 74 km from Kohima. For onward travel, hire a private or shared taxi from the airport to reach Kohima, or Kisama directly. The drive takes about 2 to 3 hours.
By train: Dimapur Railway Station connects directly to most regional hubs like Guwahati. You’ll still have to hop on a shared taxi or bus to reach Kisama, which operate right outside the railway station. Tain fares are very affordable, and the journey takes roughly 3 hours.
By road: Try the route via Guwahati/Shillong overnight or daytime bus to Kohima/Dimapur. Once you reach Kohima, Kisama is located about 12 kilometres south. You can easily book a local shared taxi, private cab, or use festival-time public transport to get straight to the venue.
More details
When: December 1-10, 2026
Where: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama
Tickets: ₹50-₹100; prices can vary. Tickets can be procured on site.