• The Hornbill Festival, first organised in 2000, is Nagaland’s premier cultural festival, held annually in the month of December at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima.
• It coincides with Nagaland Statehood Day (1 December) and is organised by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, aiming to promote Naga tribal heritage, inter-tribal harmony, and cultural unity.
• The festival showcases the rich traditions of 17 major Naga tribes through performances in dance, music, martial arts, crafts, indigenous games, and food festivals, highlighting the vibrant cultural diversity of the region.
• Named after the Hornbill bird, which symbolizes grace, prosperity, and respect in Naga folklore, the festival has emerged as Nagaland’s largest cultural and tourism event, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

The 2025 edition carries the theme “Cultural Connect”, with Switzerland and Ireland as country partners, and has been increasingly recognised for its emphasis on sustainability and waste management practices.