Nagaland is home to as many as 17 major tribes and sub-tribes with different customs and traditions. Although Nagaland receives its majority of tourists during the Hornbill Festivals, every distinct community has its own festivals and traditions, earning it the name of “Land of festivals.”

Scroll down to have an approximate idea of the long weekends and the government holidays observed in Nagaland in 2024.

Nagaland is an amalgamation of impeccable culture and unprecedented traditions left to explore by tourists and travellers. Below is the list of several festivals that are celebrated with great vigour:

1. Sekrenyi (25th February 2024): This is a widely known festival of the Angami tribe that goes on for 10 days and includes several traditions and the hunting of animals. The main highlight of this festival is cooking the hunted animals, which the women mainly do.
2. Mahashivratri (8th March 2024): Mahashivratri marks the day when Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati entered a marriage alliance. It is generally celebrated the day before the new moon, the 14th day of every lunar month.
3. Holi (25th March 2024): Apart from being the festival of colours, Holi marks the victory of Lord Narasimha over Hiranyakashyap, depicting righteousness over malevolence.
4. Naknyulum (29th-31st July 2024): Naknyulem is a fun-filled festival of the people from the Chang tribe that includes a wide variety of fun sports such as tug-of-war, top-spinning, high jump, etc. It also allows the spectators to witness the mystical sound of “Kongkhim’.
5. Ram Navami (17th April 2024): Lord Rama is considered the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Ram Navami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Rama and is celebrated during spring.
6. Mahavir Jayanti (21st April 2024): Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. It is one of the most important festivals of the Jains worldwide.
7. Maharshi Parasuram Jayanti (10th May 2024): Maharshi Parasuram Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Parasuram, who is believed to be the source of prosperity and well-being.
8. Maharana Pratap Jayanti (9th June 2024): As a symbol of bravery, courage, and dedication, Maharana Pratap’s birth anniversary is celebrated with great vigour and enthusiasm throughout India.
9. Muharram (17th July 2024): Besides being the Islamic calendar’s first month, Muharram is considered the second holiest month after Ramadan.  It also commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
10. Ramdev Jayanti (13th September 2024): Ramdev was a famous Hindu deity from the 14th century known for his kindness and miraculous powers. Ramdev Jayanti marks his birth anniversary.
11. Eid-e-Milad (16th September 2024): It is celebrated during the third month of the Islamic calendar, Rabi’ al-Awwal.  Eid-e-Milad marks the birth anniversary of the famous Islamic Prophet, Muhammad.
12. Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October 2024): Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India that marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. He was famous for his nonviolent resistance philosophies.
13. Maha Ashtami to Vijaya Dashami (11th October-13th October 2024): These are the last two days of the nine-day-long Durga Puja celebrated in various parts of India. Maa Durga is worshipped for a period of nine days and then immersed in the holy waters of Ganga.
14. Diwali (1st November 2024): Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, depicts the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It also talks about when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after a 14-year-long exile.
15. Bhai Dooj (3rd November 2024): Bhai Dooj is an in-house festival that celebrates the bond of siblings and the importance of family ties. On this day, sisters perform a small ritual on their brother, along with the exchange of gifts.
16. Hornbill Festival (1st December-10th December 2024): The Hornbill Festival is one of the most popular festivals of Nagaland, wative to Kohima. This festival vividly upholds Nagaland's traditions and cultures, attracting tourists from all over the world.

This article will help you get the latest government and bank holiday updates, which will come in handy when maintaining your work-life balance. However, the dates will vary for every year.

Know more about:

• Famous Temples in Nagaland
• Best Trekking Places in Nagaland