The Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow is an annual celebration honoring Native American culture, heritage, and resistance. The 34th annual celebration in 2026 takes place October 10 at MLK Civic Center Park on Allston Way, featuring traditional intertribal dance, live music, food, arts and crafts, and cultural education. Admission is free, and the celebration draws thousands of attendees from throughout the Bay Area.

Event Overview

The 2026 event honors the long history of Native American survival and cultural persistence. The pow wow is organized by the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee and features programming centered on celebrating contemporary Native American culture, education, and community pride.

What to Expect

Pow Wow Dance: The heart of the celebration is traditional Native American intertribal dancing and music. The Gourd Dance is a traditional circle dance that opens the pow wow. Round dances invite all attendees to participate. Committee dances and special intertribals happen throughout the day. Dancers wear regalia representing their tribal traditions.

Food: The pow wow offers Native American and contemporary food vendors, including fry bread—a staple of pow wow culture.

Arts & Crafts Market: Vendors sell Native American artwork, jewelry, crafts, beadwork, pottery, and other handmade items. Many vendors are Native artists selling directly.

Live Music & Performance: In addition to pow wow dancing, the celebration features live music and performances celebrating Native American culture.

Educational Booths: Community organizations and cultural educators share information about Native history, contemporary issues, and tribal communities.

Location & Accessibility

MLK Civic Center Park is located at Allston Way in downtown Berkeley, near Berkeley’s Civic Center area. The park is accessible by BART (walking distance from multiple stations), by car with nearby parking, and by bus. Bike parking may be available.

Timing

The 2026 pow wow runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pow wows typically follow a schedule of dances and events throughout the day, so check the program for specific times if you’re interested in particular performances or activities. Arrival earlier in the day allows you to catch the opening ceremonies and morning activities.

About the Celebration

The Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow began in the early 1990s as a way for Bay Area Native American communities to celebrate Indigenous heritage and resist the Columbus Day narrative. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the Bay Area’s important annual cultural events. The celebration affirms Indigenous presence, sovereignty, and cultural continuity.

Community & Culture

The pow wow brings together Native American community members from many tribes and nations, along with allies and the broader Berkeley community. It’s a space for cultural celebration, intergenerational connection, and education about Native American history and contemporary life.

Admission is free. For more information and updates about specific dates and programming, contact the Indigenous Peoples Day Committee at (510) 595-5520 or [email protected].

The Berkeley Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow is an important annual celebration centered on Native American culture, resistance, and renewal.