American Indians lived on the lands of modern-day New Mexico long before Spanish settlement in the 1500’s. With such a long history in these lands, the Native American’s timeless traditions, arts and beliefs continue to enrich the state today, and make it the fascinating place that it is known to be. The Pueblo’s–Spanish word for towns—of New Mexico are the oldest tribal communities in the country, and are richly historic communities of people who continue to practice the time-honored traditions, beliefs and practices of their ancestors. Each Pueblo is a self-governing community with distinctive traditions, ceremonies, beliefs, and languages. Throughout New Mexico, there are 19 different Pueblo’s still in existence, including the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos north of Santa Fe. These historic communities open their towns to visitors throughout the year whom are seeking a meaningful experience of Pueblo culture and traditions. This winter, take the opportunity to visit an ancient Pueblo during the Pueblo Feast Days, and experience for yourself the ways in which these remarkable cultures retain a strong connection with their past. Stay at our luxury Santa Fe Bed and Breakfast this winter, and don’t miss the chance to experience winter dances and feast days at our regional Pueblo’s.
Indian Pueblo Feast Days
Feast days are a time for tribal members to come together, and to renew their culture, language and native religion. Each Pueblo hosts its own feast day, which is named after its individual Saint of the Pueblo. Feast Days at Indian Pueblo’s are an important and ceremonial time of year. This January, visit one of the best known New Mexico Pueblos, San Ildefenso. The people of this Pueblo have lived in the present site since before thirteen hundred A.D., and retain a strong sense of history with their ancient ceremonies, rituals and tribal dances. One important festival performed during this feast day is the Buffalo Deer Dance. If you are in Santa Fe during these Pueblo Feast Days, you should take the time to experience this remarkable display of cultural history. It’s a performance you won’t forget. However, if you do decide to visit Native American Pueblo’s, please do always remember to understand and practice pueblo etiquette, as you are a guest in this ancient and treasured community. We look forward to sharing this wonderful part of our regional history and culture with you this winter.
This listing of dances and events at local Native communities is provided by the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It is best to call ahead to the main office at each Pueblo to confirm dates and learn about rules for visitors and photography that are specific to that Pueblo.
JANUARY
January 1
Turtle Dance at Taos Pueblo.
January 6, King's Day Celebration
Dances at Picuris Pueblo.
Buffalo, Deer, and Antelope Dances at Nambe.
Various dances at Sandia Pueblo.
Deer or Buffalo dances at Taos Pueblo
January 22
Evening Firelight Dances at San Ildefonso Pueblo.
January 23
San Ildefonso Pueblo Feast Day: Buffalo, Comanche, and Deer Dances.
FEBRUARY
February 2, Candelaria Day Celebration
Dances at Picuris Pueblo
Late February
Deer Dances at San Juan Pueblo
MARCH
March 19, St. Joseph's Feast Day
Harvest Dance and various dances at Laguna Pueblo (Old Laguna)
Easter Weekend
Basket and Corn Dances at most Pueblos
Easter Sunday
Bow & Arrow Dance after Mass at Nambe
Dances at Zia Pueblo Sunday & Monday
MAY
May 1
San Felipe Pueblo Feast Day - Huge Corn Dance
May 3
Santa Cruz Feast Day - Blessing of the Fields and Corn Dance at Taos Pueblo
Memorial Day Weekend
Annual Jemez Red Rocks Arts & Crafts Show
JUNE
First Saturday of the Month
Blessing of the Fields at Tesuque Pueblo, Corn Dance.
June 13, San Antonio Feast Day
Corn Dances at Sandia and Taos Pueblos
Comanche Dance at Santa Clara
June 24
San Juan Pueblo Feast Day
Buffalo and Comanche Dances and Corn Dances at Taos Pueblo
June 29, San Pedro Feast Day
Corn Dance at Santa Ana
JULY
July 4,
Mescalero Apache Maiden's Puberty Rites: Mountain Spirits Dance at Mescalero
Nambe Dances - Winter Buffalo, Spear, Yellow Corn, White Buffalo and Commanche Dances at Nambe Pueblo
First Weekend
Picuris Pueblo Arts and Crafts Fair
2nd Weekend
Taos Pueblo Annual Powwow
3rd Weekend
Jicarilla Apache Little Beaver Roundup & Rodeo; various dances in Dulce
July 20-21
ENIPC Arts and Crafts Fair, San Ildefonso Pueblo
July 25
Santiago Feast Day - Corn Dance at Taos
July 26, Santa Ana Feast Day
Corn Dance at Santa Ana and Taos Pueblos
St. Ann's Feast Day - Harvest and various dances at Laguna
AUGUST
August 4
Santo Domingo Pueblo Feast Day - Huge Corn Dance
August 9
San Lorenzo Sunset Vespers at Picuris
August 10
San Lorenzo Feast Day at Acomita
Trade fair, Ceremonial Foot Race, Pole Climb at Picuris Pueblo
2nd Friday and Saturday
Zuni Cultural Art Expo
August 12
Santa Clara Pueblo Feast Day - Buffalo, Harvest or Corn Dance
August 9-13
Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial - 50 tribes in dances, parades and rodeos at Red Rock State Park near Gallup
3nd Weekend
Zuni Tribal Fair
August 15, The Assumption of our Blessed Mother's Feast Day
Harvest and various dances at Laguna Pueblo (Mesita)
Zia Pueblo Feast Day - Corn Dances
August 19-20
Santa Fe Indian Market - Basket, Butterfly and Corn Dances in Santa Fe
August 28
San Augustine Feast Day at Isleta Pueblo; mass in the morning and a procession following mass. Indian dances in the afternoon.
SEPTEMBER
September 2, San Estevan Feast Day
Harvest Dance at Acoma Pueblo
September 4, Saint Augustine Feast Day
Harvest Dance at Isleta Pueblo
September 8, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Feast Day
Harvest and Social Dances at Laguna Pueblo (Encinal)
Corn Dance at San Ildefonso Pueblo
2nd or 3rd weekend
Stone Lake Fiesta - various Jicarilla Apache Dances in Dulce
September 19, St. Joseph's Feast Day
Buffalo, Eagle and Social Dances at Laguna Pueblo (Old Laguna)
September 25, St. Elizabeth Feast Day
Harvest and Social Dances at Laguna Pueblo (Paguate)
September 30
San Geronimo Feast Day: Buffalo, trade fair, ceremonial foot races and pole climb at Taos Pueblo
OCTOBER
October 4, St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day
Elk Dance at Nambe Pueblo
October 17, St. Margaret Mary's Feast Day
Harvest and Social Dances at Laguna Pueblo (Paraje)
NOVEMBER
November 12, San Diego Feast Day
Various Dances at Tesuque Pueblo
Last Week in November
Christmas Light Parade at Zuni Pueblo
DECEMBER
First Weekend
Walatowa Winter Arts & Crafts Show, Jemez Pueblo
December 11
Vespers and procession are usually held at 6 pm at Pojoaque
December 12
Feast Day Mass at 10 am at Pojoaque in Tribal Council Room: Dances performed after the Mass
December 24 & 25, Christmas Celebrations
Spanish Dance drama "Los Matachines" at Picuris and San Juan Pueblos
Pine Torch Processions at San Juan Pueblo
December 24
Sundown procession with bonfires at Taos Pueblo
Acoma Pueblo is lit with luminarias beginning at the scenic viewpoint and continues as far as "Sky City"
After 10 pm Mass at Laguna, various dances
After midnight Mass: at San Felipe, Santa Ana, and Tesuque Pueblos
Buffalo, Deer & Antelope dance after Mass at Nambe
December 25
Various dances at Tesuque
Dances to be announced (Deer or Los Matachina) at Taos Pueblo
Christmas Celebration: Matachina Dance at San Ildefonso Pueblo
December 25-28
Harvest Dance at Laguna Pueblo
Dances at Zia Pueblo
FOR MORE PLEASE VISIT https://www.miaclab.org/42 & https://fourkachinas.com/blog/pueblo-feast-days/