Hornbill Music Festival

Ticket to Hornbill 2026 is a two-day cultural and music showcase presented by the Government of Nagaland through Tourism Nagaland and the Task Force for Music & Arts (TaFMA). It serves as a curtain-raiser to the annual Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, bringing the state’s cultural identity and contemporary music scene to New Delhi.

The event will take place on 16 and 17 October 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.

16 October – Cultural Showcase:
The opening day focuses on Nagaland’s cultural heritage, featuring traditional folk performances, indigenous art presentations, live music and other artistic showcases. Entry for the opening cultural programme is free.

17 October – National Band Battle:
The second day turns the spotlight toward contemporary music with a major national band competition. The competition offers a ₹25 lakh total prize pool, comprising ₹20 lakh in cash prizes and ₹5 lakh worth of musical instruments. The winning band also gets an opportunity to perform at the Hornbill Music Festival in Nagaland.

The event provides Delhi audiences with an opportunity to experience Naga music, indigenous traditions, performing arts and contemporary talent in one celebration, while giving emerging musicians a national platform.