North-East India is home to vibrant festivals that showcase the region’s diverse cultural heritage. Below is a state-wise breakdown of major festivals in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Sikkim, along with their key details.
Assam Festival Calendar 2025
| Festival | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Rongali Bihu | April 14-20 | Assamese New Year & spring harvest festival |
| Magh Bihu | January 14 | Post-harvest feast and bonfires |
| Ambubachi Mela | June 22-26 | Celebrates Goddess Kamakhya’s fertility cycle |
| Ali-Aye-Ligang | February 15 | Mising tribe’s sowing festival |
| Raas Leela (Majuli) | November 12 | Vaishnavite dance-drama festival |
Assam Festival Highlights:
- Rongali Bihu: Marking the Assamese New Year, this festival features the energetic Bihu dance, feasting, and cultural performances.
- Magh Bihu: A grand community feast followed by traditional bonfires and games.
- Ambubachi Mela: A unique tantric festival at Kamakhya Temple, attracting sadhus and devotees from across India.
- Ali-Aye-Ligang: Mising tribe’s festival with folk dances, rice beer, and a community feast.
- Raas Leela (Majuli): Krishna’s life enacted through dance dramas on the river island of Majuli.
Read more about festivals of Assam & Best Time to Visit
Arunachal Pradesh Festival Calendar 2025
| Festival | Date | Significance |
| Si-Donyi | January 6 | Tagin tribe’s earth and sun worship festival |
| Torgya | January 10-12 | Monastic festival at Tawang Monastery |
| Reh | February 1-3 | Idu Mishmi tribe’s prayer for prosperity |
| Myoko | March 20-25 | Apatani tribe’s festival of fertility and friendship |
| Dree | July 5 | Apatani prayer for good harvest |
Arunachal Pradesh Festival Highlights:
- Si-Donyi: Tagin priests perform rituals to ensure good harvests and community well-being.
- Torgya: A Buddhist Cham dance festival with elaborate mask performances at Tawang Monastery.
- Reh: A sacred festival of the Idu Mishmi tribe, involving sacrifices and spiritual chants.
- Myoko: A vibrant fertility and friendship festival with traditional dances and rituals in Ziro Valley.
- Dree: The largest Apatani agricultural festival, featuring rice beer, folk music, and community gatherings.
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Meghalaya Festival Calendar 2025
| Festival | Date | Significance |
| Shad Nongkrem | November 7-8 | Khasi tribe’s thanksgiving dance festival |
| Behdeinkhlam | July 11-14 | Jaintia festival to drive away evil spirits |
| Wangala | November 13-15 | Garo tribe’s 100 drums harvest festival |
Meghalaya Festival Highlights:
- Shad Nongkrem: A spectacular Khasi sword and dance festival, featuring elaborate gold and coral jewelry.
- Behdeinkhlam: Jaintia tribes build colorful bamboo totems and dunk them in a sacred pool.
- Wangala: Garo men perform the legendary 100-drum dance to thank the Sun God for the harvest.
Read more about festivals of Meghalaya & Best Time to Visit
Nagaland Festival Calendar 2025
| Festival | Date | Significance |
| Hornbill Festival | December 1-10 | Cultural showcase of all Naga tribes |
| Aoling Monyu | April 1-6 | Konyak tribe’s New Year celebration |
| Sekrenyi | February 25-27 | Angami purification and renewal festival |
| Moatsu | May 1-3 | Ao tribe’s post-sowing festival |
Nagaland Festival Highlights:
- Hornbill Festival: A 10-day extravaganza showcasing Naga dance, crafts, and warrior traditions.
- Aoling Monyu: Konyak warriors recreate ancient headhunting traditions through war dances.
- Sekrenyi: Angami men perform purification rituals and folk song gatherings.
- Moatsu: A grand bonfire festival with archery competitions and communal feasts.
Read more about festivals of Nagaland & Best Time to Visit
Sikkim Festival Calendar 2025
| Festival | Date | Significance |
| Saga Dawa | June 4 | Buddhist festival marking Buddha’s enlightenment |
| Pang Lhabsol | August 30 | Worship of Mt. Kanchenjunga as Sikkim’s protector |
| Losoong | December 17-20 | Bhutia New Year and harvest festival |
Sikkim Festival Highlights:
- Saga Dawa: Monks perform Buddhist prayer processions through Gangtok.
- Pang Lhabsol: Mask dances in monasteries to honor Sikkim’s guardian deity, Mt. Kanchenjunga.
- Losoong: A New Year harvest celebration featuring Cham mask dances and archery contests.
Read more about festivals of Sikkim & Best Time to Visit
Conclusion:
These festivals reflect the deep-rooted traditions, spirituality, and community bonds of North-East India. Whether you seek spiritual experiences, cultural performances, or traditional feasts, each festival offers a unique insight into the region’s heritage. Plan your visit accordingly and immerse yourself in these vibrant celebrations!