Members of Indian tribes nationwide will descend on Temecula next week to celebrate Native American culture during the “Pechanga Powwow,” featuring traditional ceremonies, food, competitions and fireworks to mark the start of 2025.
The event opens on Friday, Jan. 3, and concludes on Sunday, Jan. 5, at the resort’s Summit Events Center, a concert venue.
“Powwows, by definition, are Native American gatherings in which American Indians sing, dance, reconnect with old friends and celebrate their rich ancestral histories,” according to a Pechanga statement.
The Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians began hosting powwows in 1995, drawing upwards of 75,000 visitors to the free events in the 2010s. After the 2014 powwow, the events were suspended due to major construction on the resort property, which lasted more than five years.
When the resort was ready to hold another one in 2020, the COVID lockdowns were imposed, and ongoing concerns led to a cancellation in 2021. However, the powwows returned in 2022.
Along with tribal “bird dancing” and drum chants, there are traditional foods, artisan crafts sales, Peon games — and a fireworks extravaganza during the nighttime part of the celebration on Saturday, Jan. 4.
There will be drum contests with cash prizes, as high as $14,000.
Featured performers in this year’s drum performances include Blacklodge, Sharpshooter, Southern Thunder, White Tail Boyz and Young Spirit.
More information is available at www.pechanga.com.