winter hike

First Peoples Festival

January 16-18, 2026

Experience a celebration of Indigenous culture featuring art, music, food, storytelling, and community connection in Estes Park. The First People's 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 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Exclusive Vendor Sneak Peek for guests with dinner tickets.

January 16, 2026 | 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ticketed Indigenous-Inspired Dinner & Cultural Program featuring Special Guest Mariah Gladstone.

January 17–18, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Indigenous Art Market
Native Art Vendors, Educational Demonstrations

January 17 & 18, 2026 | Friendship Powwow
Saturday, January 17: Grand Entry at 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM Sunday, January 18: Grand Entry at 12:00 PM

January 17 & 18, 2026 | Indigenous Film Symposium- “Remaining Native”, “Salmon People: Preserving a Way of Life”, “Untold Valor”
Located at the Estes Valley Community Center, 660 Community Drive. 

January 17, 2026 | 6:00 PM First Peoples Fashion Show- A privately funded and Indigenous produced showcase.

 

Indigenous Inspired Dinner at Twin Owls 

January 16, 2026

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.