Ahead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Native American Heritage Month, here are destinations in South Dakota, New Mexico and Wyoming celebrating annual traditions:
HONOR & CELEBRATE in South Dakota
South Dakota was the first state to officially replace Columbus Day with Native Americans’ Day as a holiday, in 1990
Lakota Music Project Performances (October 13-18): A collaboration between the state’s Symphony Orchestra and Lakota and Dakota musicians, the group goes on tour in mid-October.
Blending symphonic tradition with Lakota songs, the week-long tour begins on Indigenous Peoples’ Day at what’s to become the world’s largest mountain carving, Crazy Horse Memorial, which also hosted the first Native Americans’ Day celebration 35 years ago
For a full schedule, see here
Itinerary Inspiration — Travel South Dakota’s Great 8 for Native American Culture: Serves to highlight culturally significant landmarks, like Dignity of Earth & Sky, a 50-foot-tall sculpture, a nod to the courage, perseverance and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota cultures in the state, according to sculptor Dale Lamphere.
37th Annual Black Hills Powwow (October 10–12): Outside of Rapid City, catch one of the premier cultural events in the country, attracting thousands of dancers, singers, and artisans. Beyond the arena, highlights include:
The Crowning of Miss He Sapa Win: Awarded annually to a young Lakota, Dakota, or Nakota woman for her cultural knowledge, dancing, and public speaking skill
Fine Arts Show: Showcasing the work of indigenous creatives, from beadwork and star quilts to contemporary painting and photography
BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States, is deeply rooted in Native history and culture, with 23 Tribes, Nations, and Pueblos across New Mexico contributing to its vibrant identity
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration on the Plaza (October 11–13): Santa Fe honors Indigenous Peoples’ Day with three full days of programming in the historic downtown Plaza.
The Santa Fe Indigenous Center’s 3rd Annual Honoring Native Nations Powwow brings together dancers, singers, and drum groups from across the Southwest, adding a vibrant, community-centered gathering to the celebration.
20th Annual Winter Indian Market (November 29–30): Santa Fe’s signature holiday art event, presented by the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA), marks its 20th year as the premier opportunity to #buyNative during the holiday season. The market features 170 Native artists across jewelry, pottery, textiles, painting, and sculpture. It’s a chance to connect directly with artists, discover new voices, and find meaningful gifts that carry both beauty and story.
Itinerary Inspiration — Museums, Feast Days & Historic Sites: Discover the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA). Time your trip with a traditional Pueblo Feast Day (Upcoming: October 4, November 12), when pueblos open their communities for dances, music, and shared meals. Explore the historic sites and ruins filled with petroglyphs at places like Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Bandelier National Monument.
You can read a guide to visiting Santa Fe’s tribal communities HERE
Highlight on Native Artists: Santa Fe’s galleries and boutiques showcase works from celebrated Pueblo, Navajo, Apache, and other Native creatives year-round. Collectors and casual visitors alike can meet artisans, watch demonstrations, and take home one-of-a-kind pieces.
NEW FOR 2026: Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Indian Village Expansion
Wyoming’s capital city will unveil a new Indian Village during Cheyenne Frontier Days (July 17–26, 2026)
Background: For more than 60 years, The Morning Star American Indian Village has been a fixture at the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, offering dancing and drum circles, native storytelling, hoop dance workshops, and more. Cheyenne sits within the historic ranges of the Lakota and Arapaho tribes, and the Village has long provided rodeo-goers with opportunities to engage with Plains Tribal cultures.
What’s changing:
Tripling in Size: The Village will expand from 1.2 to 3.8 acres
More Spectator Space: Capacity will jump from 600 spectators to 1,000
Year-Round Engagement: The new village will be open beyond Frontier Days, opening doors for engagement year-round
Performer Amenities: Performers will now have a community building to utilize, with a kitchen, storage space and bathrooms, as well as improved air conditioning and sound systems
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