Culture
Hornbill Festival 2026 to be held at Kisama from 1 to 10 December
The ten-day festival at Kisama Heritage Village will feature traditional morungs, indigenous games and the Hornbill Music Festival.
By Rimjhim Bora ยท 16 September 2026
The Hornbill Festival 2026 will be held from 1 to 10 December at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima in Nagaland. The ten-day event is organised by the Government of Nagaland.
The state government started the festival in 2000, and it has been held every December since. It is named after the hornbill, a bird that holds a special place in Naga folklore.
What visitors can see
Visitors can explore traditional Naga morungs, local food and crafts, and indigenous sports such as Naga wrestling and traditional archery. There will also be stalls for herbal medicine and flowers, fashion shows, performances and concerts. The Hornbill Music Festival will run alongside the main celebrations. Entry tickets are sold at the venue and cost between Rs 50 and Rs 100, though prices may vary.
Kisama is about 12 km south of Kohima. The nearest airport is at Dimapur, about 74 km from Kohima, followed by a road journey of two to three hours. Dimapur is also the nearest railway station, and buses run to Kohima and Dimapur from Guwahati and Shillong.
Source: Time Out India
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