Explore the 2026 calendar and interactive story map to find events in your region!
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As the sun shone down between the Washington Monument and the Capital Building, hands clapped to the beat of el pulso universal, the universal heartbeat.
Lily Hope’s earliest memory of Chilkat weaving begins in her childhood bedroom in Juneau, Alaska.
Hailing from Cape Breton, the band has traveled the globe showcasing Mi’kmaw culture.
“Culture is the immune system of a people,” said Thunder Williams (Afro-Carib).
“La cultura de skate no tiene fronteras”— skate culture has no borders.
“Every day that we celebrate, every day that we dance and sing and pray, we strengthen the bonds that assimilation policies fought to break among Native people.”
Our priority has always been to provide a space for Indigenous people to share their invaluable expertise and insights directly with you.
Families with young children will have the opportunity to explore and experience Indigenous performances, artworks, sports, and more!
For chef Bricia Lopez, writing cookbooks became an exercise in encountering her ancestors’ knowledge, generating cross-cultural dialogue, and ultimately challenging static notions of Mexico’s cuisine.
In 2023, over 300 volunteers helped in several areas of Smithsonian Folklife Festival events.
Support the Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, sustainability projects, educational outreach, and more.