Denver March Powwow

Celebrate Native American culture and heritage at the 48th annual Denver March Powwow.

The Denver March Powwow features more than 1,500 dancers from close to 100 tribes from 38 states and three Canadian provinces.

The three-day event takes place in late March, in the  and is packed with singing, dancing, storytelling, food and art.

Spectator’s guide

Each session of the Denver March Powwow begins with the colorful and stirring Grand Entry. It kicks off with the HeartBeat drum group singing the committee’s song, “A Living Hoop.” Following them is an eagle staff and American Indian nation and other flags. Once everyone is in the dance arena and with the spectators still standing, the flags are raised to the accompaniment of a flag song. This is followed by a song honoring veterans — the Victory Dance. There are two Grand Entries on Friday and Saturday and one on Sunday.

The Powwow spirit is an inclusive one, and attendees can get in on the action during the Intertribal Dance, featuring all the different styles of Powwow dancers and all different age groups dancing together. During these dances, men and women of all age groups, dancing all styles, join together on the floor to the beat of a hundred drums in an unforgettable, swirling sight of color.

The Jingle Dress Dance is another popular competition, although actual ceremonial jingle dances are not performed in public. In this woman’s dance, the dress is covered with dozens of silver bell-like “jingles” that make a distinctive and pleasing sound, especially when the dance floor is covered with women wearing this melodic dress.

In addition to dance, you can also listen to storytellers at the top of every hour, as they share the legends and legacies of America’s indigenous people.

At the Denver March Powwow, there are more than 170 booths selling a variety of Native American artworks and products. Browse jewelry and blankets, pottery and beadwork from some of the nation’s most skilled Indian craftsman. Try Native American foods such as fry bread and Indian tacos, or buy an authentic Cheyenne arrow or a Sioux Tomahawk. The Denver March Powwow is a welcoming glimpse into a fascinating part of North American culture.