Travel Guide · Updated February 2026
Hornbill Festival 2026 Tickets & Entry — What to Expect
The Hornbill Festival uses gate passes bought at the Kisama entry rather than advance online tickets. Entry rates are set by the organisers for each edition, so treat the notes below as guidance and confirm the current rates through Nagaland Tourism before you travel.
Daily entry at Kisama
Entry is charged per person per day at the Kisama gate, with rates announced by the organisers ahead of each edition. Official rates for the 2026 edition, including any concessions for children or students, had not been published through the government sources referenced by this website at the time of writing, so we do not quote a figure here. Check Nagaland Tourism for the current rate.
Camera & vehicle charges
Separate charges have applied in past editions for professional camera or video equipment, and for car and two-wheeler parking at Kisama. Amounts vary by edition — confirm them at the gate or with the organisers.
Where to buy tickets
Tickets are sold at the Kisama main gate on festival days. There are no official pre-booked online passes for gate entry — websites claiming to sell advance Hornbill passes should be treated with caution. Operators can arrange gate passes for guests on guided trips.
What the ticket includes
Gate entry generally covers the main arena performances, the morung circuit, the World War II museum at Kisama, the indigenous games arena and the craft bazaar. Evening events in Kohima town, such as the night carnival programme and the music festival, are organised separately and may be ticketed separately.
Choosing your days
Opening and closing days feature the fullest ceremonial procession and are usually the busiest; mid-festival days tend to be calmer for morung visits. The daily content of any edition is only confirmed once the official programme is published.
Planning a trip? See our Hornbill Festival tour packages message us on WhatsApp +91 60019 80680 or email hello@livingrootsexpeditions.com.