Hornbill Festival

When: 1 - 10 December each year, a fixed ten‑day programme.

Where: Held at Kisama Heritage Village just outside Kohima, India.

Cost: General entry to the festival grounds is mostly free, though concerts and special events are ticketed and food/crafts cost extra.

Don’t miss: Evening tribal dance performances, the craft bazaars and the nightly live‑music lineup.

Kisama Heritage Village stages the Hornbill Festival as Nagaland’s flagship cultural event, created to preserve and promote the traditions of the Naga tribes. Launched by the state government in the late 20th century, it brings together performances, craft demonstrations and tribal competitions under one roof.

During the ten days you can expect morung displays, staged dances and music from many Naga communities, stalls selling handloom and handicrafts, traditional food stalls and nightly concerts. The atmosphere is festive and communal: visitors move between reconstructed tribal houses, performance arenas and busy bazaars clustered within the heritage site near Kohima.

The festival runs every year from 1 to 10 December; the dates are fixed on the calendar rather than tied to a lunar cycle. The opening day usually features an inaugural ceremony and parade, then each day follows a programme of scheduled tribal showcases, craft demonstrations and evening concerts, building to a lively final night.

The nearest airport for domestic flights is Dimapur Airport at Dimapur, from where it is about a couple of hours’ road transfer to Kohima and Kisama Heritage Village. International travellers commonly connect via Guwahati’s international airport or via major Indian hubs to Dimapur. Book flights and lodging well ahead - arrive at least a day before the festival starts to avoid travel delays and to secure local accommodation.

• Ask before photographing people or sacred objects; many communities appreciate being asked and may set boundaries around morung spaces.
• Nights in Kohima in December are cool - pack warm layers and a light waterproof; daytime can be mild and sunny.
• Carry cash and a power bank; ATMs and card acceptance are limited near the heritage site and in smaller markets.
• Expect crowds on weekend nights and book accommodation, concert tickets and guided transfers in advance.
• Wear comfortable shoes for uneven village walkways and bring sunscreen and a reusable water bottle for daytime roaming.
• Check permit and ID advice for visiting northeast India and follow local security guidance; the festival is well organised but services are more limited than in big cities.