Join the Choctaw Nation for Choctaw Powwow 2026, taking place November 6–8, 2026, at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Oklahoma! This three-day celebration will bring together dancers, drum groups, families, and visitors for a weekend honoring Native American culture, traditions, music, dance, and community.
The Choctaw Pow Wow will feature grand entries, traditional dancing, drum contests, special dance categories, and opportunities to celebrate and experience the rich cultural heritage of the Choctaw Nation. Guests can look forward to a full weekend of activities, with scheduled events beginning Friday, November 6, and concluding Sunday, November 8.
EVENT LOCATION
Choctaw Event Center
3702 Choctaw Road
Durant, OK 74701
EVENT DATES
Friday, November 6, 2026
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026
1:00 PM – Doors open to the public.
2:00 PM–6:00 PM – Gourd Dance.
2:00 PM–6:30 PM – Dancer registration through Pine Country and drum registration through Gwen TakesHorse.
7:00 PM – Grand Entry and Dancers (Drum Contest).
Junior and Teen dancers are excluded from Grand Entry Dance Contests. Junior/Senior Adults will compete with one song in the Golden Age/70+ category.
10:00 PM – Close.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026
9:00 AM–12:00 PM – Dancer registration through Pine Country and drum registration through Gwen TakesHorse.
10:00 AM – Doors open to the public.
10:00 AM–12:00 PM – Gourd Dance.
12:30 PM – Grand Entry featuring Flags, Royalty, and Dignitaries.
1:00 PM – Grand Entry and Dancers.
Junior and Senior Adults are excluded from Grand Entry. The 70+, Golden Age, and Junior/Teen categories will compete with two songs.
5:00 PM–7:00 PM – Dance Specials.
6:30 PM – Grand Entry featuring Flags, Royalty, and Dignitaries.
7:00 PM – Grand Entry.
The 70+, Golden Age, and Junior/Teen categories are excluded from Grand Entry. The schedule also includes a Drum Contest and a Junior/Senior Adults Contest featuring two songs.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2026
10:00 AM – Doors open to the public.
10:30 AM – Choctaw Hymns.
12:30 PM – Grand Entry featuring Flags, Royalty, and Dignitaries.
1:00 PM – Grand Entry.
All categories will participate in a one-song contest, followed by the Tiny Tots Contest.
Dennis Nevaquaya Special – Winners announced.
5:00 PM – Sing Off and Closing.
POW WOW HEAD STAFF:
Emcees:
Howie Thomson – Canada
Marty Thurman – Oklahoma
Arena Directors:
Theodore “Teddy” Bison – Canada
Joaquin Hamilton – North Dakota
Michael Roberts – Oklahoma
Gourd Head Staff:
Emcee: Mark Wilson – Oklahoma
Head Singer: Jason Lightfoot – Oklahoma
Head Dancer: Yellowhill – Oklahoma
Arena Director: Willard Polk – Oklahoma
REGISTRATION AND EVENT STAFF
Dancer Registration/Tabulation: Pine Country – Arizona
Drum Registration/Tabulation: Gwen TakesHorse – Oklahoma
Color Guard: Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Sound: Hokah Sound – Oklahoma
Social Media: Powwows.com – South Carolina
Committee Lead: Kerry Steve – Oklahoma
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DANCERS
Dancers must present all three of the following forms of identification:
• Government-issued ID
• Social Security card
• Tribal ID
Please make sure you have the required identification available if you plan to participate in the dance competitions.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions, additional details, or event inquiries, please contact the Choctaw Pow Wow committee by email: powwow@choctawnation.com
For additional event information, scan the QR code featured on the official event flyer.
HOSTED BY
Choctaw Cultural Center
Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Pow Wow Information
Date: November 6, 2026 - November 8, 2026
Location: Choctaw Event Center, 3702 Choctaw Rd, Durant, OK, 74701
Organizer:
Contact:
Phone:
Email: powwow@choctawnation.com
Visit Organizer Website »
More Information:
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