Festivals & Events
newsTicket to Hornbill 2026: Nagaland Brings Hornbill to Delhi on 16–17 October
A free evening of Naga culture and a Rs 25 lakh band battle at Talkatora Stadium, ahead of the Hornbill Festival in Kohima from 1 to 10 December.
Nagaland is bringing the Hornbill Festival to Delhi. Ticket to Hornbill 2026 runs on 16 and 17 October at Talkatora Stadium, organised by the Government of Nagaland, Tourism Nagaland and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA), Outlook Traveller reports.
| 16 October | 17 October | |
|---|---|---|
| What | Nagaland culture and live music | Band battle for independent bands |
| Entry | Free | Rs 200, on Ahibi |
| Gates | 5 pm | 5 pm |
The band battle carries Rs 20 lakh in cash prizes presented by Casio India, plus Rs 5 lakh in instruments from Furtados and Sennheiser. The winning band earns a slot at the Hornbill Music Festival in Nagaland in December. Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries are expected to attend, subject to confirmation.
The main festival: 1 to 10 December
The Hornbill Festival itself runs from 1 to 10 December 2026 at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, near Kohima. This year's edition has six partner countries: France, Ireland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Malta and Austria, with Arunachal Pradesh as partner state.
What it means for travellers
- If you are in Delhi, 16 October is a free preview of Naga music and culture.
- Kohima's rooms fill weeks ahead of Hornbill. If you plan to go in December, book now.
- Indian visitors need a Nagaland Inner Line Permit, which can be applied for online.
Read Breeziah's Hornbill Festival 2026 guide, or see the Hornbill group trip with departures on 30 November, 3 December and 6 December.
On 16 and 17 October 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. Gates open at 5 pm both days.
The 16 October cultural evening is free. The 17 October band battle costs Rs 200, on Ahibi.
From 1 to 10 December 2026 at Kisama Heritage Village, near Kohima in Nagaland.
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