If you’re planning to explore the vibrant hills of Northeast India this winter, make sure the Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2025 is on your list. Known as the “Festival of Festivals,” it’s one of India’s most colorful cultural celebrations — a 10-day window into the life, traditions, music, and cuisine of Nagaland’s many tribes, and this Hornbill Festival Guide is all you need to get started..
Held every year from 1st to 10th December, the Hornbill Festival is immersive, photogenic, and deeply authentic. If you’ve ever been curious about tribal cultures, ancient customs, or simply want to witness something you won’t find anywhere else — this Hornbill Festival guide is for you.
📍 Where Is the Hornbill Festival Held?
The festival takes place at Kisama Heritage Village, around 12 km from Kohima, Nagaland’s capital. The village is set up with traditional tribal huts (morungs) from all of Nagaland’s 17 major tribes and acts as a living museum during the festival.
📅 When Is the Nagaland Hornbill Festival 2025?
The festival will be held from December 1st to 10th, 2025, as it is every year. To avoid last-minute hassles, book your stay and Inner Line Permit (ILP) in advance.
🎭 What Makes the Hornbill Festival Special?
The Nagaland Hornbill Festival is a celebration of heritage. Each day offers something unique — from tribal performances to folk wrestling, log drum rituals to food contests. Here’s what to expect:
1. Cultural Performances
Traditional dances, folk music, and war dances by various Naga tribes. Each performance is rooted in real traditions — nothing here is staged for tourists.
2. Tribal Morungs
Each tribe has its own decorated hut at Kisama. These aren’t just showpieces — they’re interactive spaces where you can meet locals, learn about their traditions, and sometimes even join in their celebrations.
3. Traditional Games & Sports
Naga wrestling, indigenous archery, and even mock battles showcase the strength and skills of the tribes.
4. Handicrafts & Art
You’ll find handwoven shawls, bamboo products, tribal jewelry, and wood carvings — ideal souvenirs and a great way to support local artisans.
5. Food, Rice Beer & More
A paradise for foodies! Sample smoked pork, bamboo shoot delicacies, fermented soybean curries, and a variety of traditional rice beers — each tribe brews their own.
6. Nightlife & Music
Once the sun sets, Kohima Night Carnival comes alive with food stalls, music, and games. Don’t miss the Hornbill International Rock Contest — one of the biggest music competitions in India.
🏕️ Where to Stay During the Hornbill Festival
You can stay in Kohima or closer to the festival venue at homestays and tented camps in Kisama or nearby villages. Options range from basic to premium depending on how close you want to be to the action.
Pro tip: Homestays offer a richer cultural experience, while Kohima hotels provide more comfort. Book early — things fill up fast in December.
📌 Things to Know Before You Go
Here are a few important things to keep in mind:
🧾 Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Nagaland Hornbill Festival
Indian citizens need an ILP to enter Nagaland. Apply online at https://ilp.nagaland.gov.in — it’s simple and fast. Foreigners (including OCI holders), need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter Nagaland.
For guests traveling with us for the Hornbill Festival 2025, we help in applying for and securing the ILP/PAP on their behalf.
❄️ Weather
December in the North East is Winter time so,, it is going to be chilly during the festival time, more so at the festival venue, as it is atop a hill. Expect 5°C to 15°C temperatures. Pack layers, especially for evenings. We also highly recommend you go through our detailed what to pack for your North East India tour blog post to know more about things to pack.
📶 Connectivity
Kohima has decent mobile coverage, but internet access at Kisama can be patchy. It’s always better to carry cash as digital payments may not work everywhere.
🙏 Local Etiquette
Festival time or not, always always, ask before clicking pictures of people or ceremonies. Respect customs and avoid loud or intrusive behavior, especially around sacred rituals. 99% of the time, people will be more than happy to oblige and actually will also pull you in for another round of pictures 🙂
🧭 Extend Your Trip: Explore More of Northeast India
The Hornbill Festival is a great starting point for exploring more of Northeast India and almost all of our guests who come to witness the Hornbill Festival explore more of Northeast India by planning trips to other parts of North East India, before or after the hornbill festival tour. Here are a few handpicked tours you can combine it with:
- Kaziranga National Park – Spot the one-horned rhinoceros in Assam’s famous UNESCO World Heritage park.
- Tawang & Western Arunachal – High mountains, monasteries, and surreal Himalayan views.
- Spiritual and Tribal side of Assam – An eye-opening tour to Majuli, the largest river island of the world and experience the unique Vaishnavite culture, way of life and much more.
- Meghalaya Escapes – Add a few days to see the living root bridges of Nongriat, experience the transparent waters of the Umngkot river, explore majestic limestone caves, and more.
You can explore more of our tours here – Tours In North East India
Why You Shouldn’t Miss The Hornbill Festival
The Nagaland Hornbill Festival is not a performance — it’s a living celebration of culture and resilience. It offers an unmatched opportunity to witness tribal life up close in a way that’s both respectful and enriching. For many travelers, it’s the moment they truly connect with the essence of Northeast India.
Planning to attend? We’d love to help you build your Hornbill Festival tour and suggest the best way to explore the rest of Northeast India. Check out North East Explorers for hand-crafted trips led by locals who know the region like the back of their hand.
