Performers entertain the crowd during a 2024 Indigenous Peoples Day event at Arizona Center.

Natasha Yee

In the state of Arizona, the second Monday in October is still legally known as Columbus Day. But to many, it’s Indigenous Peoples Day, an occasion to celebrate the culture and heritage of the first inhabitants of our land.

Phoenix and Tempe first recognized the day in 2023. And around the Valley this weekend, there are a number of events dedicated to the holiday.  

Native American Connections Annual Parade
Saturday, Oct. 11
Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center, 300 E. Indian School Road

The 41st annual Native American Connections Annual Parade will float down Third Street on Saturday, October 11 at 9 a.m.. This year’s parade, focused on empowering youth, will start at Oak Street and end at Indian School Road. As a part of the festivities, there will be a youth carnival full of games, prizes and community booths inside the Phoenix Indian School Visitors Center. For the first time, Native American Connections will select a 17- to 25-year-old to receive its Future Leaders Recognition Award. The Native youth leader will share about themself and their vision for the future at the event.

Phoenix Indian Center Gourd Dance & Social Powwow
Saturday, Oct. 11
Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will include many performances surrounding the theme “Our People Must Keep Dancing.”The organizers say the theme is to celebrate Indigenous people and their resilience. The event will have dance contests and a performance by Head Two Spirit Dancer Sky Duncan. There will also be vendors and food trucks to round off the event. 

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Rise & Thrive Nite Market
Sunday, Oct. 12 and Monday, Oct. 13
Arizona Center, 455 N. Third St.

This two-night market showcases Indigenous artists, makers and entrepreneurs. It will host over 50 vendors offering Indigenous food, handcrafted artwork or cultural goods. There will be performances by local artists including the Cha’Be’Tu Apache Crown Dance Group; the Coatlicue Aztec Dancers; One Way Sky, an award-winning alternative rock band from the Gila River Indian Community and Tohono O’odham Nation; Nanibaah, a Diné singer-songwriter blending jazz, neo-soul, blues and hip-hop; and Neon Navajo, a Diné country musician, designer and DJ.

In addition to the market, there will also be a 5K run and 1-mile walk at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday starting near the Arizona Center at Van Buren. You can sign up at IPDPHX.com. The organizers will also host a Family Day at S’edav Va’aki Museum from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday. This will have activities for families that will connect visitors with the real history of Phoenix and participate in hands-on cultural activities.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025: Everybody Dance
Monday, Oct. 13

Heard Museum, 2301 N. Central Ave.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Heard Museum will have a high-energy silent disco, a Walia dance contest and chair Zumba to kick off Indigenous Peoples Day. Just buy normal tickets to the museum. Visitors will also get access to explore the stories of American Indian artists through world-class exhibitions, cultural events, and family activities. Read more about the event and the museum 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration with Yellow Bird Productions
Monday, Oct. 13
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, 3830 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale

From 3 to 6 p.m., the museum will host an event with Indigenous storytelling and dancing. The event will start off with Apache flute player Ken Duncan, followed by tribal dance presentations from Doreen Duncan and a performance from champion hoop dancer Talon Duncan, whose fast, exciting and colorful hoop presentation reflects the significance of dance culture within Indigenous tribes. Food and beverages will be provided to attendees. The event is free for museum members or included with a purchase of a ticket to the museum.