Countdown to Hornbill Festival 2025 begins: What we know so far about this year’s celebration

DIMAPUR — The countdown to Nagaland’s renowned Hornbill Festival 2025 has begun, with the highly-anticipated 10-day annual event set to commence in just a few days.

The government of Nagaland first organised Hornbill Festival in 2000 with a vision to showcase the rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions of the state to the global audience. It has become one of the most popular festivals in India and a major tourist attraction for the state over the years.

For the uninitiated, the Hornbill Festival is held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, located approximately 12 km from the state capital, Kohima. On a typical day, the drive takes about 40 minutes but traffic on this route tends to be heavy during the festival, which can significantly extend travel time.

What can you expect at the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival? Although the government of Nagaland has not yet released this year's programme sequence, it is likely to be similar to previous years in terms of the cultural section.

The main traction of the event is cultural presentations in the form of folk songs and traditional dances and games. Cultural troupes from 17 major tribes -- Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimkhiung and Zeliang – and other sub-tribes showcase their rich culture and traditions at one venue—Kisama—giving a unique cultural experience for tourists, hence the moniker the ‘Festival of Festivals’.

While the festival is centred around Nagaland’s rich and diverse culture, many exciting events including traditional games, Naga wrestling, night carnivals etc. are organised as part of the event at venues located outside Kisama. ‘Made in Nagaland’ products from handicrafts to handloom are also available for purchase at the bamboo pavilion.

For food lovers, Naga delicacies like smoked pork with akhuni or fermented soya beans, pork with fermented bamboo shoot, Naga dal (mung beans), exotic dishes, etc. are available in Morungs of various tribes as well as stalls set up in the vicinity of the main arena.

Visitors can also take a tour of popular sites like cathedral, Kohima museum, war cemetery, etc. located in and around Kohima. Those who love adventure and nature should not miss taking a trek to the famous Dzukou Valley, Mount Teyozwu and other locations.

No event in Nagaland seems complete without music. Popular singers from the state and beyond take the stage at Kisama every night, enthralling the revellers.

Meanwhile, Rev. Franklin Graham, evangelist and son of the late Dr. Billy Graham, is likely to attend the festival. It has evoked excitement among the people as his father held a crusade in Kohima in 1972 when the state was undergoing social and spiritual turmoil.

[Also read: Franklin Graham likely to visit Nagaland, 50 years after his father’s crusade]

Franklin Graham is reportedly attending the inaugural programme of Hornbill Festival 2025 at Naga Heritage Village as guest of honour. He is also scheduled to speak to the people at Indira Gandhi Stadium, Kohima, on November 30.

The Kohima Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship (KBPF), which is facilitating Franklin’s visit in collaboration with Nagaland government, had recently appealed to all citizens of the state and beyond, irrespective of religion, to attend his reception to be held at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Kohima. It added that the visiting team's visas are still being processed and are expected to be finalised soon.

Marking a significant step in the festival’s growing international profile, the government of Nagaland has announced several countries—Switzerland, Austria, Malta, United Kingdom and France—as country partners for the Hornbill Festival 2025.
[Also read: France joins growing list of Hornbill Festival 2025 partner countries]