Hiker in yellow jacket on snowy trail overlooking Estes Park’s mountain valley and pine-covered cliffs.

    First Peoples Festival

    January 14-17, 2027

    Experience a celebration of Indigenous culture in Estes Park, featuring art, music, food, storytelling, and community connection. The First Peoples Festival features a premier art market, cultural demonstrations, live music, a gourmet meal sourced from Indigenous farms, an Indigenous film screening, a competition Pow Wow, and an Indigenous-produced First Peoples Fashion Show—plus additional immersive experiences. See the full schedule below!

    Event Schedule: 

    January 14, 2027 | Ticketed Indigenous Sources Meal and Program Twin Owls Steakhouse

    January 15 –17, 2027 | Indigenous Art Market | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
    Native Art Vendors, Pow Wow, Educational Demonstrations, Film Festival

    January 15, 2027 | First Peoples Fashion Show Estes Park Events Complex

    January 14, 15 & 16, 2027 | Friendship Powwow
    Pavilion at Events Complex

    January 16 & 17, 2027 | First Peoples Film Festival
    Located at the Historic Park Theatre  

    Indigenous Inspired Dinner at Twin Owls 

    2027 Dates TBD

    Savor Indigenous Flavors & Tradition
    Enjoy a curated meal rooted in Indigenous foodways, featuring traditional ingredients sourced with care through NATIFS. Each dish celebrates cultural heritage, sustainability, and the deep ecological knowledge of Indigenous communities.

    Special Guest: Mariah Gladstone of Indigikitchen
    We are honored to welcome Mariah Gladstone—Indigenous chef, educator, and founder of Indigikitchen—as our VIP speaker. Mariah will share insights on the connection between Indigenous food, culture, and community, enriching this meaningful dining experience.

    An Evening of Culture, Connection & Celebration
    Immerse yourself in an atmosphere filled with traditional music, dance, and storytelling. Throughout the night, special programs highlight the importance of Indigenous traditions, resilience, reclamation, and cultural continuity.

    VIP Ticket Perk: Exclusive Shopping Access
    Your ticket includes early VIP access to the First Peoples Festival Vendor Market on Friday, January 16, from 11:00 AM–1:00 PM. Shop handcrafted Indigenous art, fashion, and goods before the market opens to the public. Each ticket holder may bring one guest. Check in at the Event Center for your VIP wristband granting entry.

    Admission Details
    A printed or digital ticket is required for entry to the Twin Owls dinner. Entry is not permitted without a ticket.

     

    Indigenous Vendor Market and Friendship Pow-Wow

    Vendor Market
    The First Peoples Festival Vendor Market features artists and makers exclusively from Federally Recognized Tribes, offering an authentic celebration of living Indigenous culture. Vendors represent more than 30 tribal affiliations from across the country, including Alaska, showcasing generations of tradition, creativity, and storytelling through handcrafted art.

    When you shop here, you support sovereign Nations, honor cultural heritage, and take home meaningful, purpose-driven pieces. The marketplace is vibrant, authentic, and truly one-of-a-kind.

    Cultural Performances & Workshops
    Experience live Indigenous music, traditional dances, powerful drumming, and dynamic singing as artists from across the nation share their talents. Special programming highlights the deep connection between Indigenous peoples and the land, including their historical and cultural ties to the Estes Valley and Rocky Mountain National Park. Engage in hands-on cultural demonstrations and enjoy an unforgettable weekend of learning, connection, and celebration.

    Learn more here: https://eventsinestes.com/first-peoples-festival/

     

    Nico Strange Owl

    First Peoples Fashion Show

    The First Peoples Fashion Show celebrates Indigenous artisans and high fashion, empowering creators through cultural collaboration. As an all-Indigenous collective of artists and storytellers, the show unites designers from across the continent, fostering a sense of community and showcasing authentic Indigenous voices. The collective is dedicated to meaningful representation and redefining luxury with purpose and heritage.

    We are proud to introduce Otakwan and Jillian, the Indigenous producers behind the upcoming privately funded First Peoples Fashion Show.