Events

Sports. Arts. Film. Music. Dancing. Reunions. Traditions. Join in all the fun with friends and family. Enjoy an exciting variety of events during Cherokee National Holiday.

COMMUNITY GAMES

Great competitive traditions return across Cherokee Nation! Qualifying tournaments for seven games are held every month, starting April 29, until the Native Games Championship on August 26 and Stickball Championship on September 2.

Community Games
Community Games

COMMUNITY GAMES

Great competitive traditions return across Cherokee Nation! Qualifying tournaments for seven games are held every month, starting April 29, until the Native Games Championship on August 26 and Stickball Championship on September 2.

TRADITIONAL NATIVE GAMES

Learn about and join in activities that have been passed down from generation to generation. Games include: Blowgun, Chunkey, Cornstalk Shoot, Hatchet Throw, Marbles and the Stickball Shootout.

SPORTING EVENTS

Up for some friendly competition? Cherokee National Holiday fields unique events and tournaments for all to enjoy, including: Softball, 3-on-3 Basketball, Golf, Veterans 5K, Cornhole, Horseshoes, Fishing and Stickball.

SPORTING EVENTS

Up for some friendly competition? Cherokee National Holiday fields unique events and tournaments for all to enjoy, including: Softball, 3-on-3 Basketball, Golf, Veterans 5K, Cornhole, Horseshoes, Fishing and Stickball.

SHOWS & MARKETS

Cherokee National Holiday offers an outstanding variety of authentic Native art, artisan gifts and memorabilia. Shows and markets you’ll find at Holiday include Cherokee Artisan Market, One Fire Field Marketplace, Cultural Grounds Marketplace and Cherokee Homecoming Art Show, as well as official art, quilt and car shows.

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

Good food, good music, open doors, sharing our culture and family fun are at the heart of Cherokee National Holiday. Across One Fire Field, the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds and the Chota Conference Center, there are more than 200 vendors with arts, crafts, food, entertainment and artisan goods.

  • VETERANS LUNCH
  • FREE FEED TO GO
  • GOOD EATS AT ONE FIRE FIELD, CULTURAL GROUNDS AND CHEROKEE ARTISAN MARKET
  • CHEROKEE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR
  • FIDDLERS CONTEST
  • LIVE MUSIC
  • GOSPEL SINGING
  • SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
  • ELDERS’ FUN
  • THE FUN ZONE
  • ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
  • JASON CHRISTIE CHILDREN'S FISHING DAY
  • OFFICIAL PARADE
  • DRIVE-IN FIREWORKS SHOW
  • HEIRLOOM GARDEN TOUR
  • CHEROKEE NATION OPEN HOUSE
  • COMMUNITY TOURS
  • OPENING ADDRESS - PRINCIPAL CHIEF
  • CLOSING ADDRESS - DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CHIEF
  • CHEROKEE NATION MUSEUMS: FREE ADMISSION
  • INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW: ARTS & CRAFTS MARKETPLACE
  • CHEROKEE TALKS
  • CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

Good food, good music, open doors, sharing our culture and family fun are at the heart of Cherokee National Holiday. Across One Fire Field, the Cherokee Nation Cultural Grounds and the Chota Conference Center, there are more than 120 vendors with arts, crafts, food, entertainment and artisan goods.

  • VETERANS LUNCH
  • FREE FEED TO GO
  • GOOD EATS AT ONE FIRE FIELD, CULTURAL GROUNDS AND CHEROKEE ARTISAN MARKET
  • CHEROKEE NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR
  • FIDDLERS CONTEST
  • LIVE MUSIC
  • GOSPEL SINGING
  • SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
  • ELDERS’ FUN
  • THE FUN ZONE
  • ARTS, CRAFTS, FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
  • JASON CHRISTIE CHILDREN'S FISHING DAY
  • OFFICIAL PARADE
  • DRIVE-IN FIREWORKS SHOW
  • HEIRLOOM GARDEN TOUR
  • CHEROKEE NATION OPEN HOUSE
  • COMMUNITY TOURS
  • OPENING ADDRESS - PRINCIPAL CHIEF
  • CLOSING ADDRESS - DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CHIEF
  • CHEROKEE NATION MUSEUMS: FREE ADMISSION
  • INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW: ARTS & CRAFTS MARKETPLACE
  • CHEROKEE TALKS
  • CULTURAL ENRICHMENT

INTER-TRIBAL POWWOW

The Inter-Tribal Powwow highlights Native American culture across the United States. Indigenous peoples gather from Nations across the country for dancing, singing, drumming, friendly competitions and honoring traditions.

CHEROKEE AMBASSADORS

Cherokee Ambassadors are messengers and role models for Cherokee youth. They hone their leadership skills and build goodwill towards our nation at the Miss Cherokee, Jr. Miss Cherokee and Little Cherokee Ambassador competitions.

CHEROKEE AMBASSADORS

Cherokee Ambassadors are messengers and role models for Cherokee youth. They hone their leadership skills and build goodwill towards our nation at the Miss Cherokee, Jr. Miss Cherokee and Little Cherokee Ambassador competitions.

OTHER EVENTS

While not officially associated with Cherokee National Holiday, there are longstanding traditions which coincide with Holiday over Labor Day weekend. These events include an annual meeting for the Association of the Descendants of Nancy Ward, among others.