The definitive guide · Updated 2026
Festivals of Northeast India
The definitive guide to festivals of Northeast India — Hornbill, Ziro, Wangala, Sangai, Chapchar Kut, Losar and 40+ more. Dates, states, tribes, permits and curated tours from Living Roots Expeditions.
Why Northeast India is India's festival capital
Eight states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura — hold together more than 220 distinct ethnic communities. Almost every month a village, valley or hill town breaks into a festival: agrarian thanksgivings after jhum harvests, warrior dances performed with dao and spear, Buddhist Cham mask dances in monastery courtyards, and modern additions like the Ziro Festival of Music and the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival. Together they make Northeast India the most concentrated living festival landscape on the subcontinent.
Festivals by state
Jump into a dedicated state guide with dates, tribes, permits and month-by-month calendars.
- Festivals of Nagalandguide →
- Festivals of Meghalayaguide →
- Festivals of Arunachal Pradeshguide →
- Festivals of Assamguide →
- Festivals of Mizoramguide →
- Festivals of Manipurguide →
- Festivals of Tripuraguide →
- Festivals of Sikkimguide →
Festival calendar — month by month
Every major festival in the region, ordered by when it happens. Click any name for dates, location, tribe, photography guide and how to attend.
Guided festival expeditions
Small-group and private itineraries built by Living Roots Expeditions around the region's most photogenic festivals.
- Nagaland Tribal & Cultural Expedition21 Days
- Arunachal Tribal Discovery Trail12 Days
- Northeast India Grand Cultural Expedition21 Days
- Cultural Tour with Hornbill Festival9 Days
- Wangala Festival Tour — Garo Hills & Assam8 Days
- Wildlife Photography Tour of Northeast India11 Days
- Dibrugarh · Sibsagar · Kaziranga · Guwahati7 Days
- Namdapha · Mon · Majuli · Kaziranga10 Days
- The Northeast Explorer — National Parks to Tribal Villages10 Days
Folk dances of Northeast India
The performance traditions behind the festivals — from Cheraw bamboo dance in Mizoram to Thang-Ta martial art in Manipur.
- Cheraw Dance
- Wangala Dance
- Nongkrem Dance
- Bagurumba Dance
- Gumrag Dance
- Cham Dance
- Popir Dance
- Ponung Dance
- Hojagiri Dance
- Garia Dance
- Warrior Dance
- Khuallam Dance
- Thang-Ta
Permits & how to plan
Indian and foreign travellers each need specific permits to attend most tribal festivals in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of Sikkim. Read the full permits guide →
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most famous festival of Northeast India?
The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland (1–10 December, Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima) is the most internationally recognised — 17 Naga tribes gather for dance, music, indigenous games, food and the Hornbill International Rock Contest.
When is the best time to visit Northeast India for festivals?
October to April is peak festival season: Ziro Festival of Music (September), Wangala (November), Hornbill (December), Chapchar Kut and Losar (March), Sangai (November) and Bihu (April) all fall in this window with clear weather.
Do I need a permit to attend festivals in Northeast India?
Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal, Nagaland and Mizoram, and a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for parts of Sikkim. See our permits guide for the full process.
How many festivals are celebrated in Northeast India?
The eight sister states host over 200 tribal, agrarian, religious and seasonal festivals across 220+ ethnic groups. This guide covers the 40+ that are most accessible and photographically rich for visitors.
Which state has the most tribal festivals?
Arunachal Pradesh — with 26 major tribes — has the highest density: Ziro, Mopin, Myoko, Nyokum Yullo, Losar, Reh, Sanken, Oriah and Chalo Loku are all held here across the calendar year.