Since 1991, a growing number of cities and states have formally recognized and celebrated Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October. The Oklahoma legislature officially moved our state’s honorary celebration from November to October.
Today, venues and organizations around the Oklahoma City metro invite families to learn more about the diverse Native cultures in our state, on Indigenous Peoples’ Day and into Native American Heritage Month.
Here are several ways your family can celebrate and learn about Indigenous cultures.
Oct. 13
Indigenous Peoples’ Day at First Americans Museum
659 First Americans Blvd, OKC
Features cultural performances, educational demonstrations, dancing exhibitions, film screenings, a hand drum contest, live music, stickball games, food trucks and more. Free to attend, $5 gallery admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oct. 18
FREE Red Earth FallFest at Myriad Gardens
301 W Reno Ave, OKC
Features an all-day arts market and a Youth Powwow showcasing dance, music and cultural heritage. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nov. 6
FREE Red Earth Cornhusk Dolls at Edmond Library
10 S Boulevard, Edmond
Educators from Red Earth will teach kids ages 5 and up to make cornhusk dolls of their own to take home. Best suited for ages 5 & up. Come-and-go event, while supplies last. 3-4 p.m.
Nov. 8
FREE Choctaw Social Dance Demonstration at Downtown Library
300 Park Ave, OKC
Features a performance of traditional styles of Choctaw dance by a dance group from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in the Downtown Library atrium. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
FREE First Amendment Heroes – Choctaw and Navajo Code Talkers at Northwest Library
5600 NW 122nd St, OKC
Learn how Choctaw and Navajo Code Talkers went from being persecuted for using their native languages to using them to save American and Allied lives. 3-4 p.m.
Nov. 15
FREE Basketry with the Choctaw Nation at The Village Library
10307 N Penn Ave, The Village
Learn about traditional basketry from members of the Choctaw Nation and create your own basket to take home. Best suited for ages 13 & up. Preregister. 10-11 a.m.
FREE Native American Food Traditions at Edmond Library
10 S Boulevard, Edmond
Learn about the history, cultural significance and traditional ingredients that have shaped Native cuisine for generations. Sample hominy and grape dumplings. Best suited for ages 12 & up. Preregister. 2-3:30 p.m.
FREE Choctaw Nation Pottery Class at Southern Oaks Library
6900 S Walker Ave, OKC
Take part in a pottery workshop hosted by the Choctaw Nation. Best suited for ages 13 & up. Preregister. 2-4 p.m.
Worth the drive
Oct. 31-Nov. 2
Choctaw Nation Annual Powwow at the Choctaw Cultural Center
3702 Choctaw Rd, Durant
Features one of the nation’s largest powwows. Experience the sights and sounds of dancers from all over the country. Free with admission. See website for schedule.
Nov. 8
SkasdiCon at Cherokee Casino
3307 Seven Clans Ave, Tahlequah
Features Indigenous artists and creators, panel discussions, film screenings and a family-friendly cosplay competition. All ages welcome. Free to attend. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Museum exhibits highlight Native artists
FREE Between What Was and What Will Be: Art from the Unexpected
Oct. 31, 2025-March 2, 2026
Exhibit C Gallery
645 First Americans Blvd, OKC
Open Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Between What Was and What Will Be showcases the work of seven First American artists exploring transformation, memory and connection to place through sculpture, assemblage and mixed media.
FREE All My Relations: Recent Acquisitions
Oct. 11, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026
First Americans Museum
659 First Americans Blvd, OKC
Open Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
All My Relations features works that represent families and family relationships. Spanning a variety of media and mediums, the pieces showcase the diverse talents of artists from Oklahoma’s 39 Tribal Nations, highlighting skills such as metalworking, printmaking and painting.
FREE Neufs for Oklahoma Autumn
April 24, 2025-April 13, 2026
Oklahoma Contemporary, Campbell Art Park
11 NW 11th St, OKC
Neufs for Oklahoma Autumn is a basketball court installation commissioned as a public art iteration of the Neuf painting series by renowned artist Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds (Cheyenne and Arapaho Nation).
FREE Treefest
Red Earth Art Center
Nov. 31-Dec. 31, 2025
Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
See trees decorated by participating tribes with handcrafted ornaments and art objects that represent their distinctive and diverse cultures.
For even more family-friendly events, visit our searchable calendar with things to do every day of the week.
