ICT Staff
While the final Gathering of Nations Powwow is taking place for the last time, it isn’t the only spot powwow goers went to.
Over the course of the powwow weekend, folks from all over Turtle Island (and the world) found community in the events outside of the “largest powwow in North America” and around Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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From little markets to skateboarding and the infamous Pink Party, Native people attended side events over the years. They created space for everyone to be part of.
ICT put together a list of 2026 side events happening from April 20-26 in the Albuquerque area below. To add events to the list, submit the link and/or flyer to this form.
Tap the arrow ➡️ on event for the details to drop down.
MOST OF THE WEEK
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s American Indian Week
- WHEN: Monday, April 20 – Sunday, April 26
- TIME: Check the website for individual event times
- WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- MORE INFO: The cultural center will have a string of events all week, such as student days, senior day, member Monday, the spring arts market on Friday and Saturday, and a round dance on Sunday. Visit the center’s website for more information.
50 for 50: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center’s 50th Anniversary
- WHEN: March 20, 2026 – February 15, 2027
- TIME: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday – Sunday
- WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- TICKETS: Must purchase tickets to see the exhibit. Prices range from $7-12. Can request group tours.
- MORE INFO: “In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (IPCC), this exhibition highlights the Center’s history through Pueblo imagery and perspectives of the past, present, and future.” Visit the center’s website for more information.
Trading at the Rio: 2026 Capital Growth Summit
- WHEN: Tuesday, April 21 – Thursday, April 23
- WHERE: Clyde Hotel, Albuquerque, NM
- HOST: Native Women Lead
- COST: Early bird and regular free
THURSDAY, APRIL 23
Two Spirit Water Ceremony
- WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- TIME: Gather at 3 p.m.; Start at 3:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Tingley Beach / Parking North Lot, walk to deck
- QUESTIONS: Elton Naswood at swtwospiritsociety@gmail.com
Round Dance for Sovereignty
Laughing for Land: A Night of Indigenous Comedy
- WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- TIME: 6 p.m. doors open, 6:30 p.m. show starts
- WHERE: Guild Cinema (3405 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque)
- COST: Free community event
- MORE INFO: Facebook
Gathering of the MCs: Night 1
- WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- TIME: 6 – 7 p.m. VIP meet and greet; 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. main event
- WHERE: Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque)
- COST: $20 advance, $30 door, $50 VIP
- MORE INFO: Facebook
Two Spirit Welcome & Mingle
- WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- TIME: 6-8 p.m.
- WHERE: The Crown Plaza Hotel (west patio near cantina and outdoor pool)
- QUESTIONS: Elton Naswood at swtwospiritsociety@gmail.com
Tradishalicious Comedy Jam
- WHEN: Thursday, April 23, 2026
- TIME: 7 p.m.
- WHERE: Juno (1501 1st St. NW, Albuquerque)
- COST: $15
- MORE INFO: Instagram
FRIDAY, APRIL 24
Spring Arts Market
- WHEN: Friday, April 24 – Saturday, April 25, 2026
- TIME: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
- MORE INFO: Visit the center’s website for more information.
2026 Cross Cultural Medicine Conference
- WHEN: Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26
- WHERE: Hotel Albuquerque
- HOST: Association of American Indian Physicians
- MORE INFO: “Step outside the lecture hall and into a space where medicine, culture, and community come together. Connect with Indigenous physicians, residents, traditional healers, and community health leaders who are shaping what culturally grounded care looks like in real practice. This conference is about finding mentorship, building your professional circle, and grounding your medical education in purpose. Come learn what doesn’t always show up on exams—but shows up every day in patient care.” Facebook page has information.
9th Annual Two Spirit Grand Entry
- WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2026
- TIME: 5 p.m. call time; Line up at 6:15 p.m.
- WHERE: Gathering of Nations, Expo NM. Meet next to Arena West entrance staircase and trees, grass area
- QUESTIONS: Elton Naswood at swtwospiritsociety@gmail.com
Gathering of the MCs: Night 2
- WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2026
- TIME: 6 – 7 p.m. VIP meet and greet; 7 p.m. – 1 a.m. main event
- WHERE: Launchpad (618 Central Ave. SW, Albuquerque)
- COST: $20 advance, $30 door, $50 VIP
- MORE INFO: Facebook
3 Days of Music: The Buffalo Stage
- WHAT: Indie Vibes with Bear Wolf Music and Smash N Crispy Burgers food truck
- WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2026
- TIME: 7-9 p.m.
- WHERE: Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. (608 McKnight Ave. NW, Albuquerque)
- MORE INFO: Instagram
Gathering of Nativez: The Last Get Down
Rezz Rock ‘N Blues Nite
- WHEN: Friday, April 24
- TIME: 7 p.m.
- WHERE: Flock of Moons Brewing (111 Harvard Dr. SE, Albuquerque)
- MORE INFO: Instagram or venue website
- COST: No cover, 21+
Colors of the Wind: Drag, Burlesque, Live Singing
- WHEN: Friday, April 24
- TIME: 7 p.m. doors open, 8 p.m. show; meet and greet at 7:15 p.m.
- WHERE: JUNO Brewery (1501 1st St NW, Albuquerque)
- COST: $20-30, buy tickets here
- MORE INFO: Website
Tradishalicious Comedy Night
- WHEN: Friday, April 24, 2026
- TIME: 8 p.m. start
- WHERE: Thrive Craft (5926 2nd St. NW, Albuquerque)
- COST: $15; age requirement on flyer
- MORE INFO: Instagram
SATURDAY, APRIL 25
Spring Arts Market
- WHEN: Friday, April 24 – Saturday, April 25, 2026
- TIME: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- WHERE: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th Street NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico)
MORE INFO: Visit the center’s website for more information.
Gathering of Nations Powwow Support Run
- WHAT: One last ride to the Gathering of Nations Powwow
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: Stage in Gallup at east Denny’s at 7 a.m., KSU at 8 a..m, gas stop in Grants Petro/Maverick; End at Route 66 around 10:30 a.m.. Registration at 10 a.m. KSU with Redrum at 12 p.m.
- COST: $40 per bike
- MORE INFO: Contact Creg at 928-810-9428 or Lucy at 970-759-5390
Gathering of Nations Last Day MMIP Awareness Ride
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: Registration at 8 a.m. and KSU at 9 a.m.
- WHERE: Kirtland Dollar Tree (Kirtland, NM) to Albuquerque, NM
- COST: $35 per rider (t-shirt for first 100 riders)
- MORE INFO: Facebook page and contact Randall at 505-675-5106 or Verna at 505-860-1047
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Ride
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: Check Gathering of Nations website, new poster has updates
- WHERE/ROUTE: 66 Travel Center (14314 Central Ave. SW) to Gathering of Nations Powwow
- MORE INFO: Facebook page (older flyer)
3 Days of Music: The Buffalo Stage
- WHAT: A Lil Country, A Lil Rock N Roll with DJ Garronteed and DJ Nokobah with El Catrin Mexican Kitchen
- WHEN:Friday, April 24, 2026
- TIME: 12-5 p.m.
- WHERE: Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. (608 McKnight Ave. NW, Albuquerque)
- MORE INFO: Instagram
14th Annual ‘Under the Native Stars’
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: 5 – 10 p.m.
- WHERE: FUSION (700-708 1st St NW, Albuquerque, NM)
- MORE INFO: Native Guitar Tour’s Instagram
Honoring Our Two Spirit Elders Dinner, Awards and Show
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: 5:30 p.m. gather; Opening remarks at 6 p.m.
- RSVP: Required
- QUESTIONS: Elton Naswood at swtwospiritsociety@gmail.com
Tradishalicious Comedy Bash
- WHEN: Saturday, April 25
- TIME: Comedy 7-9 p.m.; Karaoke 9-11 p.m. and 11 p.m.-1 a.m. vibes
- WHERE: Blackcat Theater (3011 Monte Vista Blvd. NE, Albuquerque)
- COST: $15 cover
- MORE INFO: Instagram
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
Nizhoni Days Powwow
- WHEN: Sunday, April 26
- TIME: 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- WHERE: Johnson Field, University of New Mexico
- HOST: The University of New Mexico’s Kiva Club, a student-run group, hosts the annual powwow every Sunday post Gathering of Nations.
- MORE INFO: Follow the Kiva Club Facebook page for updates.
Two Spirit Grand Entry at Nizhoni Days Powwow
- DATE: Sunday, April 26
- TIME: 11:30 a.m. gather; 12 p.m. grand entry
- WHERE: Johnson Field, University of New Mexico
- MORE INFO: Meet at elders tent
- QUESTIONS: Elton Naswood at swtwospiritsociety@gmail.com