Hornbill Festival 2026: dates and travel guide

The Hornbill Festival is the largest annual festival in Nagaland. The 2026 edition runs from 1 to 10 December at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima. Most visitors arrive at Dimapur by air or rail and drive up to Kohima, which takes 2 to 3 hours.

Updated 3 November 2026

At a glance

Dates: 1 to 10 December 2026. The festival keeps these dates every year.
Venue: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, about 12 km south of Kohima
Organised by: Government of Nagaland, through its Tourism and Art and Culture departments
Entry: About Rs 50 to Rs 100, paid at the gate (reported for 2026)
Nearest airport and railway: Dimapur, about 74 km from Kohima
Permit: Inner Line Permit for Indian visitors from outside Nagaland

Zeliang Naga dancers at the Hornbill Festival, Kisama, Nagaland. Photo: Vikramjit Kakati, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

What happens at the festival

The festival was first held on 1 December 2000. It takes its name from the hornbill, a forest bird that appears in the folklore of most Naga communities, and it brings the tribes of Nagaland to one venue for ten days.

Dances, songs and games at the morungs (traditional houses) of the heritage village through the day.
Traditional archery, Naga wrestling and indigenous games.
Food stalls, crafts, herbal medicine and flower shows.
Evening concerts, including the Hornbill International Rock Festival at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima.

Getting there

Dimapur has the nearest airport and railway station. From Dimapur the road climbs about 74 km to Kohima, usually a drive of 2 to 3 hours. Kisama lies a further 12 km south of Kohima, on the road towards Imphal.

Traffic between Kohima and Kisama is heavy during the festival, above all when the day programme starts and when the evening events end. A car for the day lets you come and go on your own time instead of waiting for shared transport.

Permits

Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online. Carry it with a photo ID.

Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Nagaland. In 2025 the Ministry of Home Affairs relaxed this rule for the ten festival days. Whether the same relaxation applies in 2026 had not been confirmed when this guide was updated, so check before you book. Ask us when you enquire and we will share the latest position.

Planning tips

Book a room early. Hotels and homestays in Kohima fill up for the festival.
Early December is cold in Kohima, more so after dark. Pack warm layers for the evening concerts.
Two or three days covers the heritage village and an evening concert. Add a day for Kohima, including the War Cemetery, and another if you plan to trek to Dzukou Valley.

Sources

Road and permit rules change. We confirm the current position for your dates when you book.

Common questions

When is the Hornbill Festival 2026?

From 1 to 10 December 2026. The festival is held on these dates every year at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima, Nagaland.

Where is the Hornbill Festival held?

At the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, about 12 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. Some evening events, such as the Hornbill International Rock Festival, are held in Kohima town.

How do I reach the Hornbill Festival?

Travel to Dimapur, which has the nearest airport and railway station. Then drive about 74 km to Kohima, which takes 2 to 3 hours, and 12 km more to Kisama. A taxi from Dimapur can take you straight to your hotel in Kohima.

Is there an entry fee for the Hornbill Festival?

Entry is reported at about Rs 50 to Rs 100, paid at the gate. Rates can change, so confirm on arrival.

Do I need a permit for the Hornbill Festival?

Indian visitors from outside Nagaland need an Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit unless the Government of India relaxes it for the festival, as it did in 2025.

How many days should I spend at the Hornbill Festival?

Two or three days covers the heritage village and an evening concert. Add a day for Kohima and another if you want to trek to Dzukou Valley.