Music
Hornbill Music Festival
Nagaland's flagship contemporary music stage, running every evening of the festival.
What it is
The Hornbill Music Festival is the evening music programme that runs alongside the daytime cultural shows at Kisama. It brings together Naga rock, metal, blues, gospel, folk-fusion and indie acts alongside invited artists from the rest of India and abroad. In the 2025 edition it appeared on the official programme on nine of the ten festival days, generally starting at 5:00 PM (5:30 PM on 4 December).
Why it matters
Nagaland is widely regarded as the live-music capital of India, and the state has backed that reputation with formal music-task-force policy for two decades. The Hornbill Music Festival is where that ecosystem becomes visible to visitors: a village morung dance at noon and a full electric set the same evening, performed by the same community.
Where it takes place
Evening music venues attached to the Hornbill Festival, in and around Kohima. Kisama Heritage Village is 12 km from Kohima town — plan your return transport before the last set.
Getting there: see how to reach Kisama and Kohima, and the Kisama Heritage Village venue guide.
Who should attend
Anyone staying overnight in Kohima. If you are only visiting Kisama for a single daytime session you will miss it, so build at least one late evening into your plan.
Before you travel, check the ILP & PAP permit requirements and budget guidance.
Programme days (2025 archive)
In the official Hornbill Festival 2025 programme, this event appeared on:
- Day 2, 2 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 3, 3 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 4, 4 December 2025 — 5:30 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 5, 5 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 6, 6 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 7, 7 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 8, 8 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 9, 9 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
- Day 10, 10 December 2025 — 5:00 PM Hornbill Music Festival
These are archived 2025 timings. The 2026 programme will be published separately once released by the Government of Nagaland.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Hornbill Music Festival included in the festival entry ticket?
The music programme is ticketed separately from the daytime Kisama entry in most editions. Ticketing is announced by the organisers each year — check the official announcement close to the dates.
What time does it start?
In the official 2025 programme the music festival was listed at 5:00 PM on most days and 5:30 PM on 4 December 2025. The 2026 timings will be confirmed when the official programme is released.