Verified reference
Northeast India Festival Dates 2026
Every date below is verified against the state government tourism board, the festival organiser, or a leading regional newspaper. Sources are cited beside each entry so bloggers, journalists and researchers can quote them directly. Last checked 18 July 2026.
Chronological calendar
| Dates 2026 | Festival | State | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 – 12 January 2026 | Torgya Festival Monpa · Tawang Monastery | Arunachal Pradesh | Confirmed |
| 18 – 20 February 2026 | Losar (Monpa New Year) Monpa · Tawang | Arunachal Pradesh | Confirmed |
| 9 March 2026 (week-long programme) | Chapchar Kut Mizo · Govt. of Mizoram | Mizoram | Confirmed |
| 20 – 23 March 2026 (host-village core dates) | Myoko Festival Apatani | Arunachal Pradesh | Confirmed |
| 1 – 6 April 2026 (main day 2 April) | Aoleang Monyu Konyak Naga | Nagaland | Confirmed |
| 14 – 20 April 2026 (main day 14 April) | Bohag Bihu (Rongali Bihu / Assamese New Year) Assamese community | Assam | Confirmed |
| 1 May 2026 (celebrations 30 April – 2 May) | Moatsü Mong Ao Naga | Nagaland | Confirmed |
| 24 – 27 September 2026 | Ziro Festival of Music Ziro Festival · Arunachal Tourism | Arunachal Pradesh | Confirmed |
| 12 – 14 November 2026 | Wangala — 100 Drums Festival (Golden Jubilee, 50th edition) Garo · Govt. of Meghalaya | Meghalaya | Confirmed |
| Mid-November 2026 (5 days, traditional) | Nongkrem Dance Festival Khasi · Syiem of Khyrim | Meghalaya | Traditional |
| 20 – 21 November 2026 | Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival India Intl. Cherry Blossom Fest · Meghalaya Tourism | Meghalaya | Confirmed |
| 21 – 30 November 2026 (traditional window) | Manipur Sangai Festival Govt. of Manipur (Tourism Dept.) | Manipur | Likely |
| 21 – 25 November 2026 (based on 57th edition pattern) | Chalo Loku (Nocte) Nocte tribe | Arunachal Pradesh | Likely |
| 1 – 10 December 2026 | Hornbill Festival (26th edition — Festival of Festivals) Govt. of Nagaland — all 17 Naga tribes | Nagaland | Confirmed |
Festival-by-festival, with cited sources
Arunachal Pradesh · Monpa · Tawang Monastery · Tawang Monastery
10 – 12 January 2026
Three-day Cham mask ritual held annually on the 28th–30th days of the 11th month (Dawachukchipa) of the Tibetan Buddhist calendar — 10–12 January 2026 in the Gregorian calendar.
Sources
- #2
Losar (Monpa New Year)
ConfirmedArunachal Pradesh · Monpa · Tawang · Tawang, Bomdila
18 – 20 February 2026
Tibetan/Monpa New Year, first three days of the 1st lunar month. Losar 2153 falls on 18 February 2026.
Sources
- #3
Chapchar Kut
ConfirmedMizoram · Mizo · Govt. of Mizoram · Assam Rifles Ground, Aizawl
9 March 2026 (week-long programme)
Officially announced on 20 January 2026 after a meeting chaired by CM Lalduhoma. Celebrations open 9 March with a week of cultural events, culminating on 13 March 2026.
Sources
Arunachal Pradesh · Apatani · Ziro Valley (host village rotates)
20 – 23 March 2026 (host-village core dates)
Rotating month-long Apatani purification festival. In 2026 the core ritual dates (babo pole raising, main sacrifice, community feast) fall between 20 and 23 March across the host villages of Hong, Hari and Bulla.
Sources
Nagaland · Konyak Naga · Konyak Heritage Complex, Mon
1 – 6 April 2026 (main day 2 April)
The Konyak spring/seed-sowing festival. The 2026 central celebration was held on 2 April at the Konyak Heritage Complex, Mon, as confirmed by the Department of Information & Public Relations, Government of Nagaland.
Sources
Assam · Assamese community · Statewide, Assam
14 – 20 April 2026 (main day 14 April)
Assamese New Year and spring harvest. Main day (Goru Bihu / Manuh Bihu) falls on 14 April 2026 based on the traditional Panchang calculation.
Sources
Nagaland · Ao Naga · Chuchuyimlang, Mokokchung
1 May 2026 (celebrations 30 April – 2 May)
Ao Naga sowing festival. Chuchuyimlang village in Mokokchung district hosts the central celebration on 1 May 2026 at the Anu Mai Amphitheatre.
Sources
Arunachal Pradesh · Ziro Festival · Arunachal Tourism · Ziro Valley
24 – 27 September 2026
India's biggest outdoor independent-music festival, in its 13th edition. Dates confirmed on the official festival website and by MyGov Arunachal Pradesh.
Sources
Meghalaya · Garo · Govt. of Meghalaya · Asanang, West Garo Hills
12 – 14 November 2026
Historic 50th edition. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has announced Golden Jubilee celebrations with a proposed 1,000-drum event marking the milestone.
Sources
- #10
Nongkrem Dance Festival
TraditionalMeghalaya · Khasi · Syiem of Khyrim · Smit, near Shillong
Mid-November 2026 (5 days, traditional)
Five-day thanksgiving dance of the Khasi Hima Khyrim, held annually in autumn (November) at Smit. Exact 2026 dates set by the Syiem; confirm closer to the month.
Sources
Meghalaya · India Intl. Cherry Blossom Fest · Meghalaya Tourism · Ward's Lake / Polo Grounds, Shillong
20 – 21 November 2026
India's only autumn cherry-blossom festival, staged in collaboration with Meghalaya Tourism and IBSD-DBT. Dates announced by the organisers for the 2026 edition.
Sources
- #12
Manipur Sangai Festival
LikelyManipur · Govt. of Manipur (Tourism Dept.) · Imphal & satellite venues
21 – 30 November 2026 (traditional window)
Manipur Tourism's flagship 10-day festival, held annually 21–30 November. Official 2026 dates due closer to the month.
Sources
- #13
Chalo Loku (Nocte)
LikelyArunachal Pradesh · Nocte tribe · Nehru Stadium, Khonsa (Tirap)
21 – 25 November 2026 (based on 57th edition pattern)
Central Chalo Loku is held annually in late November at Khonsa. The 57th central edition ran 21–25 November 2025 with Dy. CM Chowna Mein as chief guest; the 58th edition is expected in the same window.
Sources
Nagaland · Govt. of Nagaland — all 17 Naga tribes · Naga Heritage Village, Kisama (Kohima)
1 – 10 December 2026
The 26th Hornbill Festival opens on 1 December 2026 at Kisama with six global partner countries and a major tourism push, confirmed by the State Government.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know these Northeast India festival dates for 2026 are correct?
- Every date on this page is cited to a primary source — a state government tourism board, festival organiser, government-of-India portal (utsav.gov.in, incredibleindia.gov.in), or a leading regional newspaper such as Nagaland Tribune, Morung Express, Shillong Times or Sentinel Assam. Where an official 2026 announcement is not yet published, we mark the entry 'likely' or 'traditional' and cite the recurring pattern.
- Which is the biggest festival in Northeast India in 2026?
- The Hornbill Festival in Nagaland (1–10 December 2026, Kisama) remains the largest, with all 17 Naga tribes represented. The Ziro Festival of Music (24–27 September 2026) is the biggest independent-music festival, and Wangala 2026 in Meghalaya is historically significant as the 50th Golden Jubilee edition (12–14 November 2026).
- Do I need a permit to attend these festivals?
- Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and parts of Arunachal Pradesh; Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. See our permits guide for the current MHA rules.
- Can I cite or embed this calendar on my own blog or article?
- Yes. This page is free to cite and quote with attribution. Please link back to https://northeastindiafestivals.com/festival-dates-2026 as the source. A ready-to-copy citation is provided at the bottom of the page.
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Planning a 2026 trip?
Small-group expeditions to any festival on this calendar.
Permits (PAP / ILP), transport, vetted homestays and Naga / Apatani / Konyak guides.