Indian Ceremonial Dances
Prepare to enter a foreign world of sovereign nations with their own languages, traditions and customs. You will be a guest on Native American lands during your exploration of ancient and contemporary Native American culture.
The Native American people of northern New Mexico are of the Pueblo culture. The Pueblo tribes are descendents of the ancient culture sometimes called the Anasazi. Their heritage goes back over 1,000 years on these lands.
To see a Pueblo ceremonial dance will be an unforgettable highlight of your visit to the Southwest. The two pueblos in the Taos area are Taos and Picuris. There are six other living pueblos clustered around northern New Mexico - Santa Clara, O'ke, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, Pojoaque and Nambe - each with their ceremonial dances.
TAOS PUEBLO CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 1, Turtle Dance
Jan. 6, Deer or Buffalo Dance
Feb - Mar. 2008, Spring Closure
May. 3, Santa Cruz Feast Day, Foot Races
June 13, San Antonio Feast Day, Corn Dance
June 24, San Juan Day, Corn Dance
July 11-13, Annual Taos Pueblo Pow Wow
July 25, Santiago Day, Corn Dance
July 26, Santa Ana Day, Corn Dance
Last week of August, Closed
Sept. 29, San Geronimo Eve Vespers
Sept. 30, San Geronimo Day Feast Day
Dec. 24, Procession of the Blessed Mother
Dec. 25, Deer or Matachines Dance
(All dates are approximate; check TaosPueblo.com for current information.)
Taos Pueblo is generally open to visitors daily from 8am to 4pm (winter), 5pm (summer), except when religious activities require closing the Pueblo. Late winter to early Spring the Pueblo closes for about six weeks. Please call ahead if you'll be visiting during this time.
Tourist Fees (per person)
Adult admission: $10
Group (3 or more adults): $8
Children under 13: Free
Students (13 and older, includes college with ID): $5
Cameras are not allowed during ceremonial dances.
Taos Pueblo Tourism, PO Box 1846, Taos, NM 87571, 505-758-1028
PICURIS PUEBLO CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Jan. 1, Transfer of Canes, Ceremonial Dance
Jan. 6, King's Day Celebration / Reyes Day, Ceremonial Dance
Jan. 25, St. Paul's Feast Day, Ceremonial Dance
Feb. 2, Candelaria Feast Day, Ceremonial Dance
June 13, San Anthony's Feast Day, Children's Traditional Foot Races
Aug. 9, San Lorenzo Sunset Dance & Vespers
Aug. 10, San Lorenzo Feast Day, Traditional Foot Races, Ceremonial Dance, Traditional Pole Climbing
Dec. 24, Sundown Torchlight Procession of the Virgin Vespers, Matachina Dance
Dec. 25, Matachina Dance
Dec. 28, Holy Innocent's Day, Children's Dance
(All dates are approximate.)
Picuris Pueblo is open 8am to 5pm, Monday-Friday.
Tourist Fees:
2 Persons: $10
Photograph is not allowed during ceremonial dances.
Picuris Pueblo Governor's Office, PO Box 127, Peñasco, NM 87553
505-587-2519
TAOS & PICURIS PUEBLOS CEREMONIALS All events listed above are religious ceremonies.We ask that you offer the same respect you would in your church at home. NO photography is allowed. But you won't need pictures to remember your Pueblo visit!
