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The Hornbill Festival is a vibrant celebration celebrated in Nagaland, India. It showcases the state’s rich cultural heritage and tribal traditions. This festival brings together all the major tribes of Nagaland and Northeast India, showcasing their unique customs, music, dance and art. Visitors can enjoy traditional performances, participate in indigenous games, and explore Naga cuisine and crafts. It is known as the “Festival of Festivals” and represents the cultural diversity of Nagaland’s tribes to encourage intercultural relations among them.
The festival is held for 10 days, from 1st December to 10th December every year, and has lots of exciting activities in store. The festival, held in Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, has become a major attraction for tourists, offering a colourful glimpse into the dynamic tribal culture of Northeast India.
I had the opportunity to attend the first day of the Hornbill Festival during my trip to Kohima. I had already explored some of the best attractions in Kohima, which I shared in my previous blog.
With lots of excitement, I woke up early in the morning and got ready to attend the festival. After having breakfast at the hotel, we headed out to find a shared taxi that could take us to Kisama Village, the venue of the festival. The journey was long, but the anticipation of what we would experience at the festival kept us going.
Consider exploring the Hornbill Festival tour package to plan an exceptional tour experience for yourself.
How to reach the Hornbill Festival?
The Hornbill Festival is held at the Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland. To reach Kohima from Guwahati, we embarked on our journey by taking the early morning Jana Satabdi Express to Dimapur. From there, we hired a shared taxi to reach the capital of Nagaland. There are various trains that you can choose from to reach Dimapur from Guwahati, depending on your convenience. Shared taxis are also available throughout the day from the Dimapur railway station to Kohima. The shared taxi costs start from Rs 500- 600 per person and take around 3 hrs.
From Kohima, you can take a taxi to reach the festival ground at Kisama Heritage Village.
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Which days of the Hornbill Festival are the best days to attend?
First Day of the Hornbill Festival is the best day to attend the festival
On reaching Kisama, we first saw the big ornamented gate of the Hornbill Festival. Passing the gate, we encountered young Naga boys and girls, dressed in their colourful traditional attire. They also adorned themselves with their weapons and shields, used during wars and hunting. These young boys and girls were representing the various tribes of Nagaland. They were welcoming the guests. The smiles and youthful vigour of this young lot mesmerised the guests and brought zeal of festivity to all.
Hornbill Festival: The Opening Ceremony
The festivities began with all the dances, folk songs and dance drama performed in groups. All the tribes of Nagaland made their presence felt with the performance of their form of dance and songs. The other neighbouring states of North East India also represented themselves through various cultural performances. We enjoyed to our heart’s content as we swayed and smiled, listening to the soulful, energetic rhythms.
What food should I try?
Rice beer is a must-try here. If you are non-vegetarian definitely try the smoked pork and prawn pickle
We saw various delicacies being prepared in the different Morungs. The most famous ones are roasted pork, chicken, fish, buffalo etc cooked in the coal fire. There was rice beer, traditional stews made out of snail, dog, fish, etc. We were just spoiled for choice.
We readied our taste buds and headed towards the Morung of different tribes. ‘Kachari’ tribe’s simple snacks attracted us, and we had Rice beer with a special Prawn chutney. The combination tasted awesome. We saw others enjoying Pakodas, Fried Fish, etc, there.
There were stalls especially readied for vegetarians, too. Snacks, sweets, hot and cold beverages were also available in different stalls. During lunchtime, the air of Kisama Heritage Village was thick with the aroma of different delicacies prepared by the tribes.
Tribal morungs and different tribes of Nagaland
Morungs are special huts where youth practice different skills like using a bow and arrow, wrestling and making different crafts, etc. In the Hornbill Festival, the Morungs took a very significant role where the people of different tribes stay in their huts during the festival and perform their cultural and traditional practices for the audience in front of the morung.
Morgungs are a significant part of Naga culture
All the Morungs were decorated with the traditional items belonging to the individual tribes. Representatives of those different tribes were dressed in their traditional attire and were standing in front of their individual Morungs, welcoming guests with smiles. Some of them were seen performing their traditional songs and dances in front of their Morungs. There was hustle and bustle everywhere, and the place was lively with people’s laughter.
During the Hornbill Festival, every member of Nagaland aspires to portray the best of Naga food and culture. We felt privileged to be a part of this mesmerising festival.
What to buy at the Hornbill Festival?
Everyone from kids to octogenarians finds something interesting to buy in the festival venue.
There are different stalls for shopping lovers too at the festival. One can shop for handicraft and handloom items, jewellery, decorative items and souvenirs. It also has a collection of traditional utensils, pottery and orchids. Buying a suitable gift for your loved ones is a must-do here. One can see the display of unique and unusual costumes, traditional events, art and craft. The cultural procession and distinctive events like bike rally, stone pulling competition show the versatility of this festival, making it more exciting.
After spending a memorable day at the Hornbill Festival, we decided to stay in a camp for the night.
Camping at the Hornbill Festival
Camp stay is the best stay ever, and we like the ambience and the simply delicious food provided in the camp. Sitting beside the fire and enjoying the night of the Hornbill Festival was a memorable experience for us.
Hornbill rock concert and other events
Every year, the schedule is different, so be plan accordingly.
If you are a die-hard fan of rock songs, then please keep in mind that rock concerts took place in other major cities of Nagaland from 2016 onward. It took place in Dimapur, Mokokchung and other cities during the 10 days of the Hornbill Festival. During the Hornbill Festival, apart from dances, songs and indigenous games, world war 2 car rally, Naga chef competition, Naga chilli eating competition, Hornbill motor rally, Miss Nagaland beauty contest, Hornbill literature festival, Stone pulling competition, etc took place.
What else to see during the Hornbill Festival?
I have written enough about the cultural performances that took place in the Hornbill Festival. Apart from these, a flower show of stunning and vivid colourful flowers, a handloom and handicraft exhibition, a craft escape, a Hornbill photo fest and a horticulture show, etc, also took place in the Kisama Heritage Village. Kohima Museum is also situated in a corner of Kisama village. You will be delighted to take a glance at the museum when you get tired of watching the cultural programs.
My journey to the Hornbill Festival is indeed a lifetime experience. I am happy to be able to join the festival and have some first-hand experience. Those who are interested in culture, indigenous food, scenic nature and wildlife, we highly recommend checking the Hornbill Festival Tour package.
What to Explore Beyond the Hornbill Festival
If you want to explore the best of Northeast India, check some of the best-selling tour packages by Nexplore Travel.
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Kaziranga National Park – Witness the mighty one-horned rhinoceros in Assam’s world-famous wildlife sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Tawang & Western Arunachal – Soak in the serenity of high-altitude monasteries, snow-capped mountains, and dramatic landscapes.
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Majuli & Spiritual Assam – Discover the world’s largest river island and explore its peaceful monasteries, vibrant tribal villages, and rich cultural heritage.
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Highlight of Meghalaya – Chase waterfalls, walk on living root bridges, explore caves, and enjoy the emerald beauty of Meghalaya.
You can explore all our Northeast India tours here and find the perfect combination for your journey!
Tomorrow, I am heading to Khonoma Green Village to explore the lifestyle and culture of Nagaland very closely.
FAQ on Hornbill Festival
Yes, especially if you’re interested in culture, photography, food, or indigenous traditions. The festival brings together different Naga tribes in one place, making it one of the easiest ways to experience the cultural diversity of Nagaland in a single trip.
While the festival runs for ten days, most travellers spend 2–3 days exploring the main cultural performances, tribal morungs, handicraft stalls, food courts and rock concerts. If you also plan to visit Kohima, Khonoma, Dzukou Valley, or Longwa Village, consider a longer stay.
The opening days usually feature grand cultural performances and attract larger crowds. Mid-festival days often provide a more relaxed experience with better opportunities to interact with artisans, performers, and local communities.
One of the biggest attractions of the festival is that representatives from various Naga tribes participate and showcase their traditions, costumes, music, food, and heritage at the same venue in Kisama.
Absolutely. Traditional tribal attire, colorful performances, traditional architecture, local crafts, and cultural demonstrations provide excellent photography opportunities throughout the festival.
December mornings and evenings in and around Kohima can be quite chilly, while afternoons are usually pleasant. Carrying warm layers, a light jacket, and comfortable walking shoes is recommended.
One day is enough to get a glimpse of the cultural performances and festival atmosphere. However, travelers who want to explore the tribal pavilions, local food, crafts, and evening programs generally find two or more days more rewarding.
Many first-time visitors expect a cultural show but are surprised by the scale of the event. The variety of tribes, food, crafts, performances, and interactions available in one location makes it feel more like a living cultural showcase than a typical festival.
Yes. Hornbill Festival is one of the most popular cultural events in Northeast India and attracts visitors from across India and around the world. It is often considered the easiest introduction to Naga culture for international travelers
The festival is an excellent introduction to Naga culture, but exploring destinations like Khonoma, Kohima, and Longwa gives travellers a much deeper understanding of Nagaland’s history, communities, and way of life beyond the festival grounds. This combination usually becomes the most memorable part of the trip.
Entry to the Hornbill Festival is free for all visitors during the day. However, an entry pass is required for the Hornbill Rock Concert, which takes place in the evening.
If you are looking for more information on Kohima and the Hornbill Festival, please check out the page dedicated to Kohima on our website. Check Nagaland tour packages and find the most suitable tour for you. Email us at support@nexplore.org to start planning your trip!
Related Read
- Hongphoi Village: A Journey Through Nagaland’s Headhunter Country
- Trip to Longwa Village in Nagaland, the home of the last generation of headhunters
- Best of Nagaland Tourism Packages
- Tribal and Cultural Trips in Northeast India
