Held every December in the scenic Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, just a few kilometres from Nagaland’s capital Kohima, the Hornbill Festival is one of India’s most vibrant and dynamic cultural events. Spanning ten days, this annual celebration brings together the diverse tribes of Nagaland, offering a spectacular showcase of the state’s rich cultural mosaic. Often referred to as the "Festival of Festivals," the Hornbill Festival features an electrifying blend of traditional music, indigenous dance performances, elaborate costumes, tribal rituals, and folklore. Each day is filled with colourful parades, traditional sports like archery and wrestling and exhibitions of native crafts and handlooms. Food lovers can indulge in authentic Naga cuisine, while visitors interested in art and heritage can explore local wood carvings, weavings, and ceremonial artefacts. Named after the hornbill bird, which holds significant symbolic importance in Naga tribal culture, the festival serves not only as a celebration but also as a preservation of indigenous identity. It provides a platform for the younger generation to engage with their roots and educates outsiders about the diversity and depth of Naga traditions. Beyond entertainment, the event reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a culturally rich and distinct state within India’s vast and varied landscape.