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Close up of traditional clothing at the Pow Wow
Dancers at Taos Pueblo Pow Wow

The Taos Pueblo Pow Wow has been canceled for 2026. We are hopeful that the event will return in 2027!

Members of Indian tribes throughout the country gather in Taos to compete in traditional dance competitions. Crafts booths and food vendors ring the pow wow circle during the three-day event.

A pow wow is a gathering of Indian Nations in a common circle of friendship. Indian Country is made up of many tribal nations, bands, villages, and pueblos, each with their own traditional tribal beliefs and practices. A powwow is the common fiber which draws Indian people together. It is a time for sharing with old friends and making new friends; a time for singing and dancing. It is also a time for trading — trading craft goods and trading songs.

Originally, Indian tribes held celebrations to commemorate successful hunts or harvests. Many tribes had ceremonial dances to prepare for war and to celebrate victories. The old tribal War Dance as it was known and is still called today, evolved over the last four or five decades into a contemporary social dance and the pow wow into a social gathering and celebration time.

A pow wow usually begins with a Grand Entry of the dancers. All participants dance into the circle in their respective categories, led into the arena by a tribal elder or veteran carrying a staff of eagle feathers. The eagle feather staff is the universal symbol and “flag” of Indian people throughout North America. When all dancers are in the circle in their respective categories, a flag song or the national anthem of the Indian people is sung, followed by an invocation by a tribal elder. Then the dance begins with intertribal dancing. This is a time when all dancers, competing or not, can “strut their stuff” displaying their best dancing abilities.

The dance competition for women and men is divided by age group and dance style. For men these include the traditional, fancy, grass, and most recently, chicken dances. For women the styles include traditional, fancy shawl, and jingle dress dances. The “traditional” dance style can sometimes be separated or combined into a Northern and Southern dance style. Age categories include: Golden, Adult, Teens, Juniors, and sometimes Tiny Tots.

Excerpted from AROUND THE DRUM, by Richard Archuleta, Taos Pueblo

Many performers take the stage at Michael Hearne's Big Barn Dance

Celebrating over two decades of amazing of music at Red Willow Park (formerly known as Kit Carson Park), in the heart of Taos, New Mexico. Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance Music Festival boasts a lineup of the best artists in Americana, Folk, Bluegrass, Singer-Songwriter and everything in between. Known for it’s intimate concert hall setting, as well as two dance floors, the Barn Dance is a beloved tradition that music lovers and two-steppers alike look forward to year after year.

The Big Barn Dance stage has hosted both legendary songwriters and young up-and-comers.

A listening room experience in a festival setting, this event has an atmosphere unlike any other. With a large tent and two covered dance floors, the festival is a phenomenal experience whether you’re enjoying the beautiful mountain sunshine or a refreshing New Mexico rain. Enjoy the seated listening room setting throughout the weekend. Then on Saturday evening, the chairs are cleared and the tent becomes the finest dance hall in New Mexico.

With restaurants, lodging, shops and local art galleries just a short walk away from the festival grounds, attendees not only get to experience incredible music but explore the vibrant culture unique to Taos.

Taos Pride Logo

Taos Pride creates community events to celebrate diversity, increase awareness, and provide a safe place to be exactly who you are!

Community events for equality and self-expression: Taos Pride’s mission is to build a diverse, inclusive community through interactive events, programming, and services promoting equality and self-expression.

Taos Opera Institute performers on stage

TOI has been designed as a highly intensive program for the serious singer, held annually in the beautiful Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

The Taos Opera Institute invites promising young artists, emerging professionals, and an esteemed faculty to the beautiful Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

During the program, the students are given an entire semester’s worth of lessons in one month!


 

The Town of Taos Events proudly invites the community to enjoy the cherished Movies on the Green 2026 Summer Series at Red Willow Park. This beloved summertime tradition brings neighbors, visitors, and families together for evenings filled with outdoor movies, family activities, and community connection under the beautiful Taos evening sky. The series will take place on select Wednesday evenings from June 3 through July 22, 2026, and will feature animated favorites and themed activities designed to create fun and memorable experiences for all ages.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the evening atmosphere before the featured film begins at 6:00 PM. Guests are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for a relaxing evening outdoors. This free community event is alcohol-free and designed to provide a safe, welcoming, and family-friendly environment for everyone. Throughout the summer, select evenings may feature special activities, entertainment, educational experiences, character appearances, and interactive fun for children and families. Local food vendors will also be onsite throughout the series offering food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase.


The 2026 summer series begins with Disney Pixar’s Cars. The evening will feature a special performance by Mariachi Paisanos de Taos from 5:00 PM to 5:45 PM. Guests can enjoy food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase from Bites from Eden Bakery, Mariachi Paisanos de Taos, Mystic Dance, and Sweet Poppin Kettle Corn. Community giveaways will be provided by Calvary Taos.

Movies on the Green Community Day

The series continues with a special Movies on the Green Community Day celebration featuring Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991). This expanded evening of community fun will include booths, family activities, giveaways, archery, photo opportunities, a carnival ride, a giant fun slide, and a foam party. Guests are encouraged to bring a towel and a change of clothes for foam party activities.

Entertainment throughout the evening will include DJ music by New Mex Records, live music by UZ Band, and special appearances by Beauty and the Beast. Food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks will be available for purchase from local vendors throughout the event.

Additional Community Day details will follow. Due to the extended schedule of activities and entertainment, the movie will begin at 8:30 PM.

The summer fun continues with Disney Pixar’s Elemental. Guests can enjoy food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase from Bites from Eden Bakery, Mystic Dance and Sweet Poppin Kettle Corn along with community giveaways provided by Calvary Taos.

Families can enjoy Disney Pixar’s Finding Nemo along with special educational activities presented by Explora and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Pellet Gun Trailer. From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, guests will have opportunities to explore science and technology through hands-on activities with Explora and participate in supervised pellet gun target activities focused on safety and responsibility. Local vendors Bites from Eden Bakery, Mystic Dance and Sweet Poppin Kettle Corn will have food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase, and community giveaways will be provided by Calvary Taos.

The series returns with the highly anticipated Disney’s Zootopia 2. Prior to the movie, the Taos Youth Soccer League will present Soccer on the Green from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, encouraging youth ages 8 to 18 to enjoy an evening of recreation, teamwork, and community fun inspired by the spirit of pickup soccer. Participants are encouraged to wear jerseys or colors representing their favorite national teams in celebration of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Guests can also enjoy popcorn and sweet treats available for purchase from Bites from Eden Bakery and Sweet Poppin Kettle Corn.  Community giveaways will be provided by Calvary Taos.  

The final Movies on the Green event of the season will feature The Bad Guys 2. The evening will once again include Soccer on the Green from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, along with food, snacks, sweet treats, and drinks available for purchase from Bites from Eden Bakery, Mariachi Paisanos de Taos and Sweet Poppin Kettle Corn. Community giveaways will be provided by Calvary Taos.

Please note there will be no Movies on the Green events held on July 1 or July 15. In the event of inclement weather prior to 5:30 PM, the event will be moved indoors to the Taos Center for the Arts (TCA).

Movies on the Green continues to be one of the Town of Taos’ favorite summer traditions bringing together families, friends, and visitors through film, recreation, education, and community connection. The Town of Taos Events team looks forward to welcoming everyone for another unforgettable summer at Red Willow Park.


Movies on the Green is sponsored by the Taos News.

For more information, contact Judy Esquibel at 575-751-2037 or [email protected], or Nevaeh Valerio at 575-751-2038 or [email protected]. For event updates, visit taosnm.gov, the Town of Taos Events Facebook page, or follow @townoftaosevents on Instagram.

Dennis Hopper Day Logo

Taos celebrates the life and times of Hollywood’s rebel icon, Dennis Hopper, with the annual Dennis Hopper Day in Taos, New Mexico. The event includes Dennis’ Birthday Commemoration, the Rebel Film FestivaL, the Easy Rider Rally & Ride, a Buffalo BBQ, and the Village Market.

Register now for the Easy Rider Rally & Motorcycle Ride at: https://www.robbyromero.com/easy-rider-ride-registration

Dennis Hopper Day is an official proclamation of Taos Pueblo, the Town and County of Taos, and the State of New Mexico.

Easy Rider stars Peter Fonda and director Dennis Hopper as two biker buddies — Wyatt, aka Captain America (Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) — who travel through the Southwest and South with the money they made from their last cocaine deal.

Famous scenes from Hopper’s iconic counter-culture classic were shot in Taos, including Taos Pueblo, Taos Old County Jail, Stagecoach Hot Springs, and the fields of sagebrush behind the Dennis Hopper Day host hotel, the Sagebrush Inn & Suites.

In the rebel spirit of Dennis Hopper, you never know what special guests will show up at Dennis Hopper Day.

Taos Mother's Day Whitewater Races logo and a raging river

If you’re looking to make a splash this Mother’s Day, look no further than the Mother’s Day Rio Grande Whitewater Races! The event that brings rafters, canoers, campers and spectators together for a weekend of races, community and fun!

Join us in beautiful Pilar, New Mexico!

People toasting with wine glasses

A multi-day celebration of food and wine.

Every year in Taos visitors and locals alike savor the ability to combine world class skiing with fine wines and great cuisine.

The Taos Winter Wine Festival is a long weekend of events featuring the culinary artistry in Taos coupled with wines from Winery Partners from around the world who love to ski. By bringing wineries to Taos to partner with the area’s best restaurants, the schedule of food and wine events features a Reserve Tasting, chef luncheons, Aprés Ski Tastings, a Grand Tasting and wine dinners. If you love to ski, or love fine food and wine, or both, join us!

A group of people enjoying an art installation

Transforming community with art and art with community

Local and national artists will come together in Taos this fall to participate in The PASEO! The festival will feature works, ranging from low-tech to new media, united by their active engagement with the public and with place, whether projecting on Taos’s adobe walls or lighting up Kit Carson Park.

The Paseo Project’s mission is to transform art through community and community through art. In addition to The Paseo Project’s annual outdoor art festival in Historic Downtown Taos, they also host several collaborative community projects each year, and a socially-engaged artist in residence program.

Since 2014, artists from all over the world have brought projection, installation, and performance art to the streets of Taos for this free two-night event.

The PASEO returns to the streets of Taos this fall, with projection, performance and installation art filling the streets, alleys and courtyards of downtown Taos. For two nights, sunset to 11pm, join us as the community comes together to explore outdoor art for the entire family. 

The PASEO 2025 theme is “Thresholds”

As we stand a quarter of the way into the 21st century, the world finds itself navigating profound transformations. “Thresholds” invites artists and audiences to step into the spaces where change emerges—moments of transition, portals to new realities, and the boundaries that define or divide our collective futures. From the accelerating impacts of climate change to rapid advancements in AI and technology, to shifting cultural and political landscapes, we face a pivotal moment in history. Yet here in Taos, a place of enduring strength, resilience, and community, we are reminded that the power to navigate these transitions comes from our deep seeded roots and connection to place. For centuries, Taos has been a threshold itself—a meeting place of diverse cultures, a landscape of natural beauty, and a community that thrives through connection and adaptability. This theme challenges artists to explore the in-between spaces—where the familiar becomes the unknown, where boundaries blur, and where transformation is both a challenge and an opportunity. Through installations, projection, and performance art, “Thresholds” will not only illuminate the tensions of change but also celebrate the enduring spirit of Taos as a guiding force. Together, we will reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and imagine what lies ahead for us all in the high desert of New Mexico.