The highly anticipated 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival is set to begin on December 1, 2025, at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama. The inaugural ceremony will take place at 4 PM, with Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla as the chief host, joined by Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio.
During a press conference, Tourism and Higher Education Minister Temjen Imna Along invited attendees from across the world, emphasizing a warm welcome to citizens and visitors alike. In a significant move to promote participation, the Government of India has relaxed the Protected Area Permit regime for this 10-day cultural and tourism celebration.
At the festival, Naga tribes will join forces to display their vibrant traditions, rich culture, music, art, culinary diversity, and lifestyle. This year’s festival will feature six participating countries: France, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Malta, and Ireland, with Arunachal Pradesh acting as the partner state. Minister Along highlighted the festival’s focus on enhancing both tradition and culture while strengthening connections with partner countries and states for greater promotion of Nagaland.
A budget of ₹7 crore has been allocated for the event, which will now take place in the newly constructed “Unity Arena” in Kisama, a venue designated for major cultural and musical events. The festival will also extend its reach to other regions such as Mon, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Peren, Phek, Wokha, and Zunheboto. The International Hornbill Festival – Mon edition is scheduled for December 8 to 10.
“We hope all our tourists will experience the essence of Nagaland during this festival,” Along stated. The Tourism Department is coordinating efforts to ensure the festival’s success, collaborating with various state departments including Art and Culture, Horticulture, Agriculture, and Industries & Commerce. Along expressed gratitude for the contributions of government departments, local influencers, and churches that have supported the event.
He also acknowledged the Chief Minister’s ongoing initiatives, which have significantly elevated the Hornbill Festival and boosted Nagaland’s profile on the global stage. The Nagaland Tourism Director, Veyielo Doulo, announced that the entry fee for all visitor categories has been revised to ₹150.
Established in 2000 and held annually from December 1 to 10, the Hornbill Festival is dedicated to showcasing Naga tribal culture and enhancing the state’s tourism industry. Named after the hornbill bird, which holds cultural significance for the Naga people, the festival has become a major cultural attraction. The previous edition in 2024 welcomed over 205,968 visitors at the main venue in Kisama.
Notable guests for the inaugural ceremony include the Ambassadors of France, Ireland, and Switzerland, as well as the British Deputy High Commissioner and other distinguished officials.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/nagaland-welcomes-tourists-to-26th-hornbill-festival-20205
Category: Nagaland
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Publish Date: 2025-11-30 23:11:00
