Next: 1 to 10 Dec 2026
Hornbill Festival
Nagaland's week-plus gathering of all its tribes at Kisama, with war dances, songs, crafts and morung displays.
When is Hornbill Festival in 2026?
Hornbill Festival 2026 runs from 1 to 10 December 2026. Other years: 2027, 1 to 10 December 2027; 2028, 1 to 10 December 2028.
About Hornbill Festival
Founded in 2000 and named after the hornbill bird, whose feathers appear in many Naga headdresses, the Hornbill Festival is held each December at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama near Kohima. All the major tribes of Nagaland, such as the Angami, Ao, Sema, Lotha and Konyak, have their own morung, or traditional house, in which they show food, crafts, weaving and ceremonial dress. Performers present war dances, folk songs and storytelling in a central arena, and demonstrations of traditional sports, such as wrestling and archery, are held. Rock concerts, a chilli-eating contest and an artisan bazaar belong to the programme. The festival is considered a way of keeping Naga traditions alive among younger people.
Hornbill Festival dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Hornbill Festival date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 to 10 December 2026 |
| 2027 | 1 to 10 December 2027 |
| 2028 | 1 to 10 December 2028 |
What is eaten
- smoked pork with bamboo shoot
- axone
- sticky rice
Also part of it, and being written: Nagaland (The state of the festival.), Naga people (The tribes that gather.), Morung (The communal house of Naga villages.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Hornbill Festival" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.