38th Annual Black Hills Pow Wow 2026
October 9, 10 & 11, 2026 · Summit Arena at The Monument · Rapid City, South Dakota
The 38th Annual Black Hills Pow Wow returns to Rapid City for three days of championship dancing, world-class singing, and celebration in the heart of He Sapa, the Black Hills.
Known in Lakota as He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate, the Black Hills Pow Wow is one of the largest championship pow wows in the country. Dancers, singers, and families travel from across Indian Country and Canada to compete, visit relatives, and share in one of the biggest gatherings of the fall season.
Watch the Black Hills Pow Wow Live Stream
PowWows.com is the official live stream of the 2026 Black Hills Pow Wow. Watch it free at PowWows.com/live.
Wherever you are, you can have a front-row seat to every Grand Entry, contest, and special at Summit Arena. Our crew will be on location in Rapid City all weekend, bringing the arena to your phone, tablet, laptop, or TV.
Honoring the 150th Anniversary of the Victory at Greasy Grass
The 2026 Black Hills Pow Wow honors the 150th anniversary of the Victory at Greasy Grass. In June 1876, Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho people defeated the U.S. 7th Cavalry along the Greasy Grass River in Montana. Many history books call it the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
For Native people, Greasy Grass is a story of victory, of defending families, homelands, and a way of life. This year’s pow wow carries that history into the arena, 150 years later.
2026 Official Black Hills Pow Wow Magazine
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$200,000 Total Prize Payout
This year’s pow wow features a $200,000 total prize payout across dance contests, specials, and the World Championships of the Black Hills Singing Contest. That makes it one of the richest championship pow wows of the year.
Can’t make it to Rapid City? Watch every Grand Entry live, free, at PowWows.com/live.
What you’ll see on the live stream
- All four Grand Entries, Friday through Sunday
- Dance contest sessions across every age group, from Junior to Platinum
- The World Championships of the Black Hills Singing Contest
- Specials, honor songs, and intertribals
- The crowning moments of the weekend
Live stream schedule (Mountain Time)
| Day | Grand Entry |
|---|---|
| Friday, October 9 | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, October 10 | 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM |
| Sunday, October 11 | 1:00 PM |
Rapid City is on Mountain Time. A 7:00 PM Grand Entry is 9:00 PM Eastern, 8:00 PM Central, and 6:00 PM Pacific.
How to watch
- Go to PowWows.com/live a few minutes before Grand Entry.
- Press play. No app or download needed.
- Share the link with family who can’t be there. Many dancers’ relatives watch from home every year.
Watch the Black Hills Pow Wow live at PowWows.com/live
Dates, Location and Grand Entry Times
Dates: Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, 2026
Location: Summit Arena at The Monument 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd N, Rapid City, SD 57701
The Monument is in downtown Rapid City, a short drive from Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and the heart of the Black Hills.
Grand Entry schedule
| Day | Grand Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 9 | 7:00 PM | First Grand Entry. Point system starts. |
| Saturday, October 10 | 1:00 PM | Afternoon session |
| Saturday, October 10 | 7:00 PM | Evening session |
| Sunday, October 11 | 1:00 PM | Final Grand Entry |
All times are Mountain Time.
Contestants, take note: the point system for all categories starts at the Friday 7:00 PM Grand Entry. Make sure you’re registered and dancing in Grand Entry Friday night.
What is a Grand Entry?
Grand Entry is the opening procession of each pow wow session. Eagle staffs and flags are carried in first, usually by veterans. They’re followed by head staff, royalty, and then dancers by category, all entering the arena to the host drum’s song.
Please stand and remove your hat during Grand Entry, the flag song, and the veterans song. If you only see one part of a pow wow, make it Grand Entry.
Admission, Tickets and Parking
Tickets went on sale September 5, 2026. Children under 4 and adults 65 and over get in free.
| Ticket | Ages 13–64 | Ages 4–12 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Pass | $40 | $28 |
| 1-Day Pass | $25 | $18 |
| 3-Day Group Pass (25 or more people) | $35 per person | $35 per person |
| Under 4 and 65+ | Free | Free |
For ticket purchases, visit the official site at blackhillspowwow.com or call (605) 341-0925.
Which pass should you buy?
- Coming for the whole weekend? The 3-Day Pass covers all four Grand Entries and costs less than two 1-Day Passes.
- Bringing a school, community, or family group? Groups of 25 or more qualify for the $35 3-Day Group Pass.
- Only catching one session? Grab a 1-Day Pass for Friday night, Saturday, or Sunday.
- Elders 65+ and little ones under 4 get in free.
Parking
- Free parking is available at The Monument.
- Paid parking is also available nearby.
- Arrive early for the Saturday sessions, the busiest day of the pow wow.
Veterans
All veterans are welcome. The Black Hills Pow Wow honors veterans throughout the weekend, beginning with Grand Entry.
Can’t travel? Watch for free
If you can’t make it to Rapid City, you can still watch every Grand Entry at no cost on the official live stream at PowWows.com/live.
Head Staff, Royalty and Board
2026 Head Staff
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Eyapaha (Announcer) | Ruben Little Head |
| Eyapaha (Announcer) | Dr. Whitney Rencountre II |
| Head Dance Judge | Starr Whiteye |
| Head Singing Judge | Steve Wood |
| Arena Director | Rusty Gillette |
| Arena Director | Chaske Lablanc |
| Sound | Toxic Sound |
| Tabulation | Icreeazn |
| Poster Artist | Jim Yellowhawk |
| Live Stream | PowWows.com |
| Veterans Group | All veterans welcome |
What does an Eyapaha do? Eyapaha is the Lakota word for the announcer or crier. The Eyapaha keeps the pow wow moving, calls each contest and special, explains what’s happening for visitors, and keeps the crowd laughing between songs.
What does an Arena Director do? The Arena Director runs the dance arena. They line up Grand Entry, make sure dancers are ready for their categories, and keep everything in order and respectful.
2026 Miss He Sapa Win
Tyler Star Comes Out, Wanbli Kinyan Win, is the 2026 Miss He Sapa Win. She represents the Black Hills Pow Wow throughout the year. Her title will be passed on through the Miss He Sapa Win Contest during this year’s pow wow.
Drum Groups
The 2026 Poster
This year’s poster artwork is by Jim Yellowhawk. It features a circle of horses and riders around a central figure, set over ledger paper, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the Victory at Greasy Grass.
Black Hills Pow Wow Association Board of Directors
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Stephen Yellowhawk |
| Vice President | Dew Bad Warrior – Ganje |
| Treasurer | Lisa Hatten |
| Director | Sandor Iron Rope |
| Director | Nicholas Hernandez |
| Director | Mitchell Brewer |
| Director | Ira Taken Alive |
| Director | Danielle Ta’Sheena Finn |
Contests, Specials and Prize Money
The Black Hills Pow Wow is a Championship Pow Wow with a $200,000 total prize payout. Contests run from Junior dancers age 6 to Platinum dancers age 70 and up. Remember: the point system starts at Friday’s 7:00 PM Grand Entry.
World Championships of the Black Hills Singing Contest
The singing contest is one of the most prestigious drum competitions in Indian Country, with $59,000 in prize money.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $15,000 |
| 2nd | $12,500 |
| 3rd | $10,000 |
| 4th | $7,500 |
| 5th | $6,000 |
| 6th | $4,000 |
| Consolation (4 drums) | $1,000 each |
Adult dance categories (18+)
Every adult category below pays 1st through 7th place.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $1,100 |
| 2nd | $900 |
| 3rd | $700 |
| 4th | $500 |
| 5th | $300 |
| 6th | $200 |
| 7th | $100 |
18+ categories
- Men’s Contemporary Traditional
- Men’s Woodland
- Southern Men’s Straight Traditional
- Southern Women’s Traditional Buckskin
- Southern Women’s Traditional Cloth
- Women’s Applique
Split categories: Junior Adult (18–39) and Senior Adult (40–54)
- Men’s Traditional
- Men’s Chicken Dance
- Men’s Grass
- Men’s Fancy
- Women’s Traditional
- Women’s Contemporary Jingle
- Women’s Old-Style Jingle
- Women’s Fancy Shawl
Golden Age (55–69)
- Men’s Traditional
- Men’s Grass
- Men’s Fancy
- Women’s Traditional
- Women’s Jingle
- Women’s Fancy Shawl
Platinum Age (70+)
- Men’s Combined
- Women’s Combined
Teen categories (13–17)
Teen Boys: Traditional, Grass, Fancy. Teen Girls: Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $500 |
| 2nd | $400 |
| 3rd | $300 |
| 4th | $250 |
| 5th | $200 |
| 6th | $150 |
| 7th | $100 |
Junior categories (6–12)
Junior Boys: Traditional, Grass, Fancy. Junior Girls: Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl.
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $250 |
| 2nd | $200 |
| 3rd | $150 |
| 4th | $100 |
| 5th | $75 |
| 6th | $50 |
| 7th | $25 |
Specials
Miss He Sapa Win Northern Women’s Traditional Special, ages 21 and up. Winner takes all, with 3 consolations.
Dance styles you’ll see
New to pow wows? Here’s a quick guide to the dance styles in this year’s contests.
- Men’s Traditional: a storytelling dance. Dancers move like hunters or warriors, with a bustle of eagle feathers worn at the back.
- Grass Dance: long fringe sways like prairie grass. The dance is said to come from flattening grass to prepare the dance ground.
- Men’s Fancy: fast, athletic footwork with two brightly colored bustles. It’s one of the most exciting dances to watch.
- Chicken Dance: imitates the prairie chicken’s movements. It’s one of the oldest Northern Plains dance styles.
- Woodland: a style from Great Lakes and woodland nations, with its own regalia and footwork.
- Southern Straight Traditional: a dignified Southern Plains men’s style with otter-hide trailers and precise steps.
- Women’s Traditional: a graceful, dignified dance with a fringed shawl over the arm. In the Northern style, dancers keep time in place or move slowly around the arena.
- Southern Buckskin and Cloth: Southern Plains women’s styles, set apart by long fringe and a slow, stately step.
- Jingle Dress: dresses covered in rows of metal cones that ring with each step. The Jingle Dress is known as a healing dance. Old-Style and Contemporary are judged separately.
- Fancy Shawl: quick, light, spinning steps with a shawl held out like wings.
- Applique: a women’s category judged on regalia decorated with applique beadwork.
More Events at the 2026 Black Hills Pow Wow
The Black Hills Pow Wow is much more than dance contests. Here’s what else is happening over the weekend. Check the official site for exact times.
- Hand Game Tournament: a traditional guessing game played by teams, with singing, drumming, and plenty of friendly competition.
- Vendors: shop for beadwork, regalia supplies, jewelry, art, clothing, and gifts from Native artists and makers. Come hungry for frybread and Indian tacos, too.
- Style Show: see contemporary and traditional Native fashion on the runway.
- Youth Day: a day focused on young people and the next generation of dancers and singers.
- Miss He Sapa Win Contest: young women compete for the title of Miss He Sapa Win, who represents the Black Hills Pow Wow for the year ahead.
Shopping tip
Many vendors are small, family-run businesses. Bring cash in case some vendors don’t take cards. Buying directly from Native artists is one of the best ways to support them.
Watch from anywhere
The Grand Entries, contests, and specials all stream live, free, at PowWows.com/live. Watch from home and cheer on your favorite dancers and drums.
Where to Stay in Rapid City
These Rapid City hotels are listed on the official 2026 flyer. Call early, because rooms fill up fast on pow wow weekend.
| Hotel | Phone |
|---|---|
| Tru by Hilton | (605) 341-1878 |
| Clubhouse Hotel & Suites | (605) 939-3005 |
| Hampton Inn & Suites | (605) 341-1879 |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City | (605) 348-4000 |
| Best Western Ramkota | (605) 343-8550 |
| AmericInn by Wyndham Rapid City | (605) 546-1344 |
| Country Inn & Suites | (605) 394-0017 |
| Fairfield Inn & Suites | (605) 718-9600 |
Tips for Visitors
- Arrive early for Grand Entry. Seats fill quickly, especially Saturday evening.
- Don’t save seats with blankets. Per the organizers, blankets used to save seats will be removed.
- Keep track of your belongings. The Black Hills Pow Wow Association is not responsible for accidents, theft, or lack of funds.
- Bring cash for vendors, food, and the occasional blanket dance.
- Dress in layers. October weather in the Black Hills can change quickly.
- Plan a day in the Hills. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Badlands National Park are all within driving distance.
Pow Wow Etiquette
- Stand and remove your hat for Grand Entry, the flag song, honor songs, and veterans songs.
- Listen to the Eyapaha. The announcer will tell you when you can take photos and when to put cameras away.
- Ask before photographing a dancer up close. Never photograph during an honor song or ceremony unless the announcer says it’s OK.
- Regalia is not a costume. Don’t touch a dancer’s regalia, eagle feathers, or other items without permission.
- Stay out of the arena unless invited. Visitors are often welcome during intertribal songs. Listen for the announcer.
- If a feather drops in the arena, stay back. There is a ceremony for picking it up.
- Seats around the arena are usually for dancers and their families. Bring your own chair if seating is limited.
- Supervise children and keep them out of the dance arena.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Black Hills Pow Wow? October 9–11, 2026, at Summit Arena at The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota.
What time is Grand Entry? Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM. All times are Mountain Time.
How much are tickets? A 3-Day Pass is $40 for ages 13–64 and $28 for ages 4–12. A 1-Day Pass is $25 for ages 13–64 and $18 for ages 4–12. Under 4 and 65+ are free.
Is there a group discount? Yes. Groups of 25 or more can get a 3-Day Group Pass for $35 per person.
Is parking free? Yes, free parking is available. Paid parking is also available.
How much prize money is offered? The total prize payout is $200,000. First place in the World Championships of the Black Hills Singing Contest pays $15,000.
Can I watch the Black Hills Pow Wow online? Yes. PowWows.com is the official live stream. Watch free at PowWows.com/live.
What is the 2026 theme? The 2026 pow wow honors the 150th anniversary of the Victory at Greasy Grass.
Who is the 2026 Miss He Sapa Win? Tyler Star Comes Out, Wanbli Kinyan Win.
Are veterans welcome? All veterans are welcome.
Contact the Black Hills Pow Wow
Black Hills Pow Wow Association PO Box 8131, Rapid City, SD 57709 Phone: (605) 341-0925 Website: blackhillspowwow.com
The Black Hills Pow Wow Association thanks the City of Rapid City for making this event possible. Sponsors include Black Hills Energy, Dacotah Bank, Monument Health, and NDN Collective.
Watch the 2026 Black Hills Pow Wow Live
Every Grand Entry. Every contest. Free.
Information comes from the official 2026 event flyer and the organizer. Details can change, so please confirm with the Black Hills Pow Wow Association before you travel.
Videos From 2025 Black Hills Pow Wow
Pow Wow Information
Date: October 9, 2026 - October 11, 2026
Location: Summit Arena at the Monument, 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd N, Rapid City , SD, 57701
(7 votes, 3.57 out of 5)
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