Festivals of Nagaland: Hornbill, Sekrenyi, Moatsu, Aoling and More (2026–27 Dates)
Nagaland's festivals tribe by tribe: Hornbill in December, Sekrenyi of the Angamis, Moatsu of the Aos, Aoling of the Konyaks, Tuluni, Tokhu Emong and more, with dates, places and the permit you need.
Every Naga tribe has its own festivals, most tied to sowing or harvest and held on the same dates each year, which makes them easier to plan around than lunar festivals. The Hornbill Festival in December brings all the tribes together in one place, but seeing a festival in its home village is a very different experience.
Nagaland festival calendar at a glance
| Festival | Tribe | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sekrenyi | Angami | Late February (around 25 Feb) | Kohima district, Khonoma, Jakhama |
| Aoling | Konyak | 1–6 April | Mon district |
| Moatsu | Ao | 1–3 May | Mokokchung district |
| Tuluni | Sumi | 8 July | Zunheboto district |
| Tokhu Emong | Lotha | 7 November | Wokha district |
| Ngada | Rengma | Late November | Tseminyu |
| Hornbill Festival | All tribes | 1–10 December | Kisama Heritage Village, near Kohima |
| Christmas | Statewide | 25 December | Kohima, Dimapur and villages |
Village festival dates can shift by a day or two depending on local councils. Confirm before travelling to a remote district.
Hornbill Festival: the festival of festivals
From 1 to 10 December every year, Kisama Heritage Village, 12 km from Kohima, hosts all of Nagaland's tribes in their own morungs (traditional houses), with dances, songs, food, crafts and games, then rock concerts and a night market in town. Our Hornbill Festival guide covers tickets, stays and the daily programme, and we run a 5-day Hornbill group trip.
Sekrenyi: the Angami purification festival
Sekrenyi, also called Phousanyi, marks a new beginning for the Angamis. Young men bathe at the village spring at dawn, and the following days bring feasting, songs and the tradition of thekra hie, when young people gather to sing. Villages near Kohima, such as Khonoma and Jakhama, are the easiest to reach.
Aoling and Moatsu: spring festivals
Aoling is the Konyak new year, held in the first week of April in Mon district, home of the last tattooed headhunter generation. Moatsu follows on 1 to 3 May in Mokokchung, when the Aos celebrate the end of sowing with songs, dances and the building of a symbolic fire. Both are far from Kohima: allow a full day's drive from Dimapur each way.
Tuluni, Tokhu Emong and Ngada
The Sumis celebrate Tuluni on 8 July with feasting and rice beer. Tokhu Emong, the Lotha harvest festival on 7 November in Wokha, and Ngada, the Rengma thanksgiving in late November, fall just before Hornbill, so you can combine one of them with the first days of the festival.
Permits and planning
- Indian visitors need a Nagaland Inner Line Permit, applied for online. See our Nagaland ILP guide.
- Dimapur has the nearest airport and railway station; Kohima is about 2.5–3 hours by road. See the Dimapur to Kohima cab page.
- Village festivals are community events, not shows. Go with a local guide, bring a small gift if invited into a home, and ask before photographing.
- Kohima has few hotels. For Hornbill, book six to eight weeks ahead; homestays in Kigwema and Jakhama near Kisama are a good alternative.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous festival of Nagaland?
The Hornbill Festival, held from 1 to 10 December every year at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima.
Which Naga festivals can I see outside December?
Sekrenyi in late February, Aoling in early April, Moatsu in early May, Tuluni in July and Tokhu Emong in November are the main ones.
Do I need a permit for Nagaland's festivals?
Yes. Indian visitors need a Nagaland Inner Line Permit, which you can apply for online before you travel. Foreign nationals follow different rules.
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