Festival Calendar
Hornbill Festival 2026 Dates & Programme
The 27th Hornbill Festival runs from 1 to 10 December 2026 at Kisama Heritage Village. The arena opens at 9 AM daily; main cultural performances run 10 AM–4 PM. Evening events — Music Festival, Night Carnival, Miss Nagaland, Naga Chef — happen on select days in Kohima town. Here's the day-by-day plan.
Day-by-Day Programme
| Date | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 1 Dec (Tue) | Opening ceremony at Kisama. Lighting of the bonfire. Ceremonial dances from all 17 tribes. |
| 2 Dec (Wed) | Morung tours. Traditional songs, log-drum demonstrations, weaving and bamboo crafts. |
| 3 Dec (Thu) | Indigenous Naga games — wrestling, top-spinning, chilli-eating, climbing greased bamboo. |
| 4 Dec (Fri) | Hornbill Music Festival begins (evenings, Kohima Local Ground). Folk fusion to rock. |
| 5 Dec (Sat) | Naga Chef cook-off. Pork and bamboo-shoot demos. Hornbill International Film Festival. |
| 6 Dec (Sun) | Children's Day at the arena. Cultural exchange performances with visiting Northeast troupes. |
| 7 Dec (Mon) | Hornbill Literature Festival in Kohima. Panel sessions with Naga writers and historians. |
| 8 Dec (Tue) | Miss Nagaland finale (evening). Traditional fashion showcase. |
| 9 Dec (Wed) | Night Carnival peaks in Kohima town — street stalls, live music, food trucks. |
| 10 Dec (Thu) | Closing ceremony. Final tribal dance parade. Hornbill Music Festival finale concert. |
When to Arrive
Plan to land in Kohima by 30 November to attend the 1 December opening. Pick 4–6 December if you want a calmer arena, or 8–10 December for the Music Festival finale. See the full 4-day itinerary for pacing suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Hornbill Festival 2026 dates?
1 December to 10 December 2026 — ten days, at Kisama Heritage Village, 12 km from Kohima.
Which days are the busiest?
The opening (1 Dec) and closing (10 Dec) draw the largest crowds. The Night Carnival in Kohima town runs all ten evenings; the Hornbill Music Festival peaks on the last weekend.
Can I visit just for one day?
Yes, but plan two days minimum — one to absorb the morungs and dances, another for the indigenous games, food stalls and shopping bazaar.