2023 Native American Feast Days and Events in New Mexico
Courtesy of Coyote's Game Native American Jewelry and Crafts
All Feast Days and Events are listed by month and day. Because of unavoidable changes in date, location or contact number, we cannot guarantee that the information below is absolutely accurate. We urge anyone interested in going to any of these events call the information number provided to confirm date, location and admission information.
If this is your first visit:
Here are a few guidelines when attending Native American events that will help you to feel more at home.
Most of the events are religious in nature. The best guide to behavior is for visitors of all ages to behave respectfully at all times.
Stay in the area designated for the feast day or event and don't enter any structure, graveyard or private home on the pueblo or reservation.
Ceremonial dances should be watched quietly and respectfully. Do not applaud after a dance, it is part of
a religious ceremony. Do not interrupt or talk to dancers before, during or after a dance.
Most Native American pueblos and tribes forbid sketching, painting, videotaping and photography on the pueblo or at dances and events.
This is to preserve the sacred nature of the event and the privacy of the people living there. Don't try to "sneak" pictures.
"No photography" regulations are enforced. Below the calendar is a list of tribes and their
photography policies as well as phone numbers.
Pets should not be brought to Native American ceremonies.
Shaking hands is the appropriate way to greet a Native American. But, Native Americans prefer a gentle handshake to a firm one.
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Jan. 1
Turtle Dance. Taos Pueblo. For information: (505) 758-1028. Los Matachines Dance at Jemez Pueblo. For information: in New Mexico
(505) 843-7270; out of state (800) 766-4405.
Los Matachines Dance at Jemez Pueblo. For information: (505) 834-7235.
Jan. 6
All Kings Day. Buffalo and Deer Dances. Taos Pueblo. For information: (575) 758-1028.
Various Dances. Sandia Pueblo. For information: (505) 861-3317.
Buffalo, Deer, Antelope Dances. Nambe Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-2036.
King's Day Celebration. Dances at the Picuris Pueblo. For information: (505) 587-2519.
3 Kings Day Festival honoring incoming governor and officers. Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Jan. 9 - 11
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Jan. 16 - 18
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Jan. 23 - 25
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Jan. 23
San Ildefonso Feast Day. Buffalo, Deer and Comanche dances. San Ildefonso Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-3549.
Jan. 25
St. Paul's Feast Day. Picuris Pueblo. Various dances. For information: (505) 587-2519.
Jan. 28
Holy Innocents Day. Santa Clara Pueblo. Children's dances. For information: (505) 753-7326.
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Apr. 10 - 12
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
April 11, 12
Easter Weekend celebrations at most pueblos.
Apr. 17 - 19
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
Easter Sunday. Bow and Arrow Dance after Mass at Nambe Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-2036.
Easter Sunday and Monday. Various dances at Zia Pueblo. For information: (505) 867-3304.
Easter Sunday and Monday. Various dances at San Ildefonso Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-3549.
Apr. 24 - 26
Taos Pueblo is closed on these days. See taospueblo.com.
April TBA
Native American Week. For information: www.gatheringofnations.com.
April 27 - 29
Gathering of Nations Pow-wow. Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque. Apr. 27 Miss Indian World Contest. Pow-wow and Indian Traders Market Apr. 28, 29.
For information: www.gatheringofnations.com.
April TBA
IPCC Annual American Indian Week & Spring Art Market. Market is April 27, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center,
2401 12th Street, Albuquerque. For information: www.indianpueblo.org/.
St. Phillip's Feast Day. Dances at San Felipe Pueblo. For information: (505) 867-3381.
May 3
Santa Cruz Feast Day. Blessings of the Field, Corn Dance and foot race at Taos Pueblo. For information: (575) 758-1028.
Santa Cruz Feast Day. Dances at Cochiti Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2244.
May 1st Sun.
1st Sunday in May. Santa Maria Feast Day. Fiesta honoring patron saint at Santa Maria de Acoma Church, McCarty's, New Mexico.
For information: (505) 252-1139 or (800) 747-0181.
May TBA
Memorial Day Weekend. Jemez Red Rocks Arts and Crafts Show and Memorial Day Pow-wow. At Jemez Red Rocks. Crafts fair May 23, 24. For
information: (505) 834-7235.
May TBA - Sept. 2
Nightly Indian Dances. 7 p.m - 8 p.m. at the McKinley Courthouse square, Gallup. For information: nightlyindiandances.com/.
Navajo Nation 4th of July Celebration and Rodeo. Celebration and PRCA Pro Rodeo at Dean Jackson Memorial Arena, Window Rock, Arizona.
For information: http://www.navajonationfair.com/index.html.
July 4
Various Dances and Crafts. Nambe Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-2036.
July 1st week
Mescalero Apache Feast Day. Coming of Age Ceremony, dances, pow-wow, rodeo. At the Mescalero Apache Reservation near Tularosa.
(575) 671-4494.
July TBA
Annual Inter-tribal Pow-Wow. Taos Pueblo. For information: (575) 758-1028 or taospueblopowwow.com/.
July 14
San Buenaventura Feast Day. Cochiti Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2244.
San Buenaventura Feast Day. San Felipe Pueblo. For information: (505) 867-3381.
San Buenaventura Feast Day. Kewa Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2214.
July third weekend
Jicarilla Apache Little Apache Beaver Roundup and Rodeos. Pow-wow, races, parade, 5k run, fun walk, mud bog, pony express, youth activities,
more. At Dulce. For information: www.jicarillaonline.com/ or (575)759-3242.
July TBA
Eastern Navajo Nation Fair and Rodeo. At the Crownpoint rodeo and fairgrounds, Crownpoint. For information: www.discovernavajo.com
or www.aircarodeo.com/.
July 25
Santiago Feast Day Corn Dance. Taos Pueblo. For information: (575) 758-1028.
July 26
Santa Ana Feast Day. Harvest and other dances at the Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Santa Ana Feast Day Corn Dance. Santa Ana Pueblo. For information: (505) 867-3301.
Santa Ana Feast Day Corn Dance. Taos Pueblo. For information: (575) 758-1028.
Nuestra Senora de los Angeles Feast Day. Corn Dance at Jemez Pueblo. For information: in New Mexico (505) 843-7270; out of state
(800) 766-4405.
Aug. 4
Feast Day and Corn Dance. Kewa Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2214.
Aug. TBA
Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial. At Red Rock State Park near Gallup. Parades, rodeo, arts and crafts, dances, food, golf
tourney, auctions, more. Parking and admission fees at Red Rock State Park. For information: gallupceremonial.com or (505) 722-3839.
Aug. 9, 10
Aug. 9 San Lorenzo Feast Day; Aug. 10 Trade Fair and Races at the Picuris Pueblo. For information: in New Mexico (505) 843-7270; out of state
(800) 766-4405.
Aug. 10
San Lorenzo Feast Day. Throw Day and dances at Acoma Pueblo. For information: (505) 252-1139 or (800) 747-0181.
San Lorenzo Feast Day. Cochiti Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2244.
San Lorenzo Feast Day. Throw Day and dancing at Laguna Pueblo where people named Lawrence or Lorenzo throw gifts to visitors.
For information: (505) 552-6654.
Aug. 12
Santa Clara Feast Day. Buffalo and other dances at Santa Clara Pueblo. For information: (505) 753-7326.
Aug. TBA
Zuni Cultural Arts Expo. Zuni Pueblo. For information: www.zunitourism.com/.
Aug. 15
Assumption of Our Blessed Mother's Feast Day. Harvest and other dances at Mesita, Laguna Pueblo. For information:
(505) 552-6654.
Feast Day and Corn Dance. Zia Pueblo. For information: (505) 867-3304.
Aug. 19, 20
Santa Fe Indian Market. At the Plaza in Santa Fe. Native American artists and craftspeople from all over the country exhibit. Juried
competition, dances, food. Free and open to the public. For information: www.swaia.org or (505) 983-5220.
Aug. Last Weekend
Picuris Tri-Cultural Arts & Crafts Show. At Picuris Pueblo. For information: (505) 587-2519.
Aug. TBA
Central Navajo Fair. Chinle, AZ. For information: www.discovernavajo.com.
Aug. 28
Saint Augustine Feast Day. Morning mass followed by a procession. Dances in the afternoon at the Isleta Pueblo. For information:
(505) 869-3111.
Aug. TBA
Zuni Fair. Zuni Pueblo. For information: www.zunitourism.com/.
San Estevan Feast Day and Harvest Dance. At St. Estevan Mission, Sky City, Acoma Pueblo. For information: (505) 252-1139 or (800) 747-0181.
Sept. TBA
Navajo Nation Fair. Traditional songs and dances, parade, Miss Navajo Nation Pageant, midway, rodeos, pow-wow, food, more at the Navajo
Nation Fairgrounds, Window Rock, Arizona, Navajo Reservation. For information: Navajo Nation Fair Office: (928) 871-6478 or
www.discovernavajo.com.
Sept. Labor Day Weekend
Annual Arts & Crafts Market. At Kewa Pueblo. For information: (505) 465-2214.
Sept. 2
Totah Festival. Crafts fair and pow-wow at the Farmington Civic Center, Farmington. Marketplace, rug auction, contest
pow-wow, more. For information: (800) 448-1240 or www.farmingtonnm.org.
Sept. 4
San Augustine Feast Day. Harvest Dance at Isleta Pueblo. For information: (505) 869-3111.
Sept. 8
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Feast Day. Harvest and social dances at Encinal, Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Feast Day. Corn Dance at the San Ildefonso Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-3549.
Sept. TBA
Go-Jii-Yah Feast Day. At Stone Lake, Jicarilla Apache Reservation. For information: (575) 843-7270 or (575) 759-3242.
Sept. 19
St. Joseph's Feast Day. Buffalo, Eagle and Social Dances at Old Laguna Village, Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Sept. 25
St. Elizabeth's Feast Day. Harvest and Social Dances at Paguete, Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Sept. 29,30
Feast of San Geronimo. Dances, races, pole climb, arts and crafts fair at the Taos Pueblo. Per vehicle admission fee. Free bus is provided
between parking area and the Pueblo for those who don't want to walk. For information: (575) 758-1028.
Shiprock Navajo Nation Fair. Dancing, song and dance competition, arts and crafts, rodeos parade, more at the oldest annual Navajo Fair at
Shiprock, New Mexico, Navajo Reservation. At the Shiprock Fairgrounds. For information: www.discovernavajo.com.
Oct. 4
St. Francis of Assisi Feast. Dances at the Nambe Pueblo. For information: (505) 455-2036.
Oct. TBA
4th Annual Albuquerque American Indian Arts Festival. At the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For
information: www.indianpueblo.org/centerevent/4th-annual-albuquerque-american-indian-arts-festival/2016-10-01.
Oct. TBA
Western Navajo Nation Fair and Rodeo. At the Tuba City rodeo and fairgrounds, Tuba City. For information: www.discovernavajo.com
Oct. TBA
Ancient Way Fall Festival and Arts Market. At Zuni, New Mexico. For information: www.zunitourism.com/.
Oct. 17
St. Margaret Mary's Feast Day. Harvest and Social Dances at Paraje, Laguna Pueblo. For information: (505) 552-6654.
1st weekend of December. Walatowa Winter Arts and Crafts Fair. Jemez Pueblo. For information: (505) 834-7235.
Dec. 11, 12
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Feast Day. Dec. 11 Vespers and Procession. Dec. 12 Feast Day Mass, Bow and arrow, Comanche and Buffalo Dances at
Pojoaque Pueblo after mass. For information: (505) 455-3460.
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Feast Day. Bow and Arrow, Comanche and Buffalo Dances at Tesuque Pubelo. For information: (505) 983-2667.
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Feast Day. Dances at Jemez Pueblo. For information: (505) 834-7235.
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Feast Day. Dances at Santa Clara Pueblo. For information: (505) 753-7326.
Dec. 24, 25
Christmas Celebrations by Pueblo.
Acoma. Dec. 25-28. Dances, luminarias. Christmas festivals at San Estevan del Rey Mission, Sky City, Acoma. For information: (505) 252-1139 or
(800) 747-0181.
Laguna. 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass. Deer, Harvest, Arrow and other Dances after mass. Dec. 25-28 Harvest dances continue for three more
days. For information: (505) 552-6654.
Information for Christmas Celebrations for the pueblos listed below: In New Mexico (505) 843-7270 or (575) 455-3460 for Eight Northern Pueblos;
out of state (800) 766-4405.
Nambe. Dec. 24. Christmas Eve Mass followed by Buffalo, Deer and Antelope Dances.
Picuris. Christmas celebrations and "Los Matachines."
San Felipe. Dec. 24. Dances after midnight mass.
Ohkay Owingeh. Dec. 24, 25. Spanish dance drama "Los Matachines" and Pine Torch Procession.
San Ildefonso. Christmas celebrations and various dances.
Santa Ana. Dances after midnight mass.
Santa Clara. Christmas celebrations and various dances.
Taos. Dec. 24, 25. Sundown Procession of the Virgin Mary, Dec. 24. Dec. 25. Deer or Matachinas dance.
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 465-2244.
Isleta
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 869-3111.
Jemez
No photography. (575) 834-7235.
Jicarilla Apache
Photography allowed only at Little Apache Beaver Roundup and Rodeo. www.jicarillaonline.com/ or (575) 759-3242.
Laguna
Photography allowed at Laguna Pueblo and Church of San Jose de Laguna only. (505) 552-6654.
Mescalero Apache
Phone tribe for policy and/or permit information. (575) 671-4494.
Nambe
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 455-2036.
Navajo Nation
Ramah
Crownpoint
Shiprock
Phone tribe for policy and/or permit information. (928) 871-6357.
Ohkay Owingeh
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 852-4400.
Picuris
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 587-2519.
Pojoaque
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 455-3460 or (505) 455-2278.
Sandia
No photographing dances, the plaza or the church. Permission to photograph other areas of the pueblo must be
obtained from the Governor's Office. (505) 867-3317.
San Felipe
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 867-3381.
San Ildefonso
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 455-3549 or (505) 455-2273.
Santa Ana
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 867-3301.
Santa Clara
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 753-7326 or (505) 753-7330.
Taos
No photography except at July pow-wow, with permission of dancers. Phone pueblo for policy. (575) 758-1028 or
www.taospueblo.com.
Tesuque
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 983-2667.
Kewa
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 465-2214.
Zia
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 867-3304.
Zuni
Phone pueblo for policy and/or permit information. (505) 782-4481 or (505) 782-4403.