Chumash Intertribal Powwow 2025 ~ Celebrating 60 Years
Santa Ynez – Saturday & Sunday, October 4 & 5
The Chumash Intertribal Powwow 2025 comes to Santa Ynez on Saturday, October 4, and Sunday, October 5, 2025. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 60 Years.”
The powwow brings together Native American tribes from across North America. They gather to honor Indigenous culture through dancing, singing, drumming, arts, crafts, and food. The event is the largest cultural celebration hosted each year by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
The powwow runs 10 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. It takes place at Meadowvale Road and Highway 246 in Santa Ynez. Admission is \$5 per person, and parking is free.
The first powwow in Santa Ynez took place in 1965. Back then, it served as a fundraiser to bring running water to the Santa Ynez Reservation. Now, six decades later, the powwow continues as an annual cultural and educational tradition.
Each day begins with a Grand Entry at 1 PM. This includes Royalty and Chumash Youth Recognitions. Intertribal and exhibition dancing follows at 2 PM. Throughout the weekend, dancers of all ages—from children to elders—compete in exciting contests.
This year, participants will compete for over \$155,000 in cash prizes. Dance styles include traditional, fancy, straight, grass, jingle dress, buckskin, cloth, and chicken. Competitors range from youth dancers to elders over 70.
Chumash Intertribal Powwow 2025
The powwow also offers a marketplace of vendors selling regalia, jewelry, traditional arts and crafts, and authentic Native food. Informational booths share stories of heritage and tribal culture.
The event is planned and run by a committee of Chumash volunteers. Their mission is to create cultural and educational experiences, while celebrating Native music, art, and self-reliance.
The Chumash Intertribal Powwow is also a zero-waste event. Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and recycle responsibly.
For details, visit chumash.gov/powwow or call 805-688-7997.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is the only federally recognized Chumash tribe in the nation. Their reservation was established in 1901 and remains a vibrant center of culture today.
Come celebrate 60 years of tradition, community, and heritage at the Chumash Intertribal Powwow 2025 in Santa Ynez.
