Archive · 2 Dec 2025
Hornbill Festival Begins with Global Participation
The Hornbill Festival, a big cultural event in Nagaland, started on December 1, 2024, with the largest-ever international participation.
Six countries and one Indian state joined as partners.
The festival celebrates Nagaland's rich traditions, vibrant art forms, and the unity of the Naga people.
Thousands of people, including tourists from India and around the world, attended the opening ceremony.
The festival is seen as a major draw for tourism and a way to boost the local economy.
The Nagaland government wants to lift a rule called the Protected Area Regime (PAR) to make it easier for foreign visitors to come and enjoy the festival.
The 26th Hornbill Festival began on December 1, 2024, at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, with the largest-ever international participation.
Six partner countries (Austria, Malta, Switzerland, Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom) and Arunachal Pradesh as the state partner joined the festival.
Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio highlighted the festival's significance in celebrating the state's cultural heritage and unity.
The festival featured a special performance titled 'Hornbill Dream' showcasing Nagaland's rich culture and traditions.
Thousands of tourists, including international visitors, attended the inaugural function, marking a record in global participation.
- Who
- Nagaland government, Central government of India, international partners, and tourists
- What
- The commencement of the 26th Hornbill Festival with record global participation
- When
- December 1, 2024
- Where
- Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Nagaland, India
- Why
- To celebrate Nagaland's rich cultural diversity, heritage, and artistic traditions, and to boost tourism
- Event
- Hornbill Festival
- Location
- Nagaland, India
- Start Date
- December 1, 2024
- Budget
- Rs 7 crore
- Foreign Tourists (2024)
- 5,623
- Domestic Tourists (2024)
- 1,25,516
- Foreign Tourists (Festival 2024)
- 2,527
- Domestic Tourists (Festival 2024)
- 56,217
- Partner Countries
- Austria, Malta, Switzerland, Ireland, France, United Kingdom
- State Partner
- Arunachal Pradesh
