Shinnecock Indian Powwow Celebrates 80 Years in Southampton This Labor Day Weekend

The four-day Shinnecock Indian Powwow returns Sept. 4-7 with Native American dancing, drumming, arts, food, Grand Entry and sunset fire lighting on the Shinnecock Nation.

One of the Hamptons’ most important and longstanding Labor Day traditions marks a major milestone this weekend.

The 80th annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow takes place Friday through Monday, Sept. 4-7, on the Shinnecock Nation in Southampton, bringing together Native American dancers, drummers, artists and visitors for four days of competition, culture, food and celebration.

Dancers and drum groups from across Indian Country will gather for the annual Powwow, which has been named among the country’s top powwows by PowWows.com. More than $50,000 in prize money will be awarded during drum and dance contests and special competitions.

Beyond the contests, visitors can explore Native arts and crafts, sample traditional and contemporary foods and experience a gathering that has been part of the East End’s Labor Day weekend for generations.

Don’t Miss: Grand Entry

One of the most powerful moments of the Powwow is Grand Entry, when dancers enter the arena together in a colorful procession accompanied by the sound of the drums.

Grand Entry takes place:

Friday, Sept. 4: 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 5: 12:30 and 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 6: 12:30 and 7 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 7: 12:30 p.m.

Sunset Fire Lighting

Another signature Powwow tradition, the Sunset Fire Lighting, takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Music, Drumming and Dance

This year’s host drums are Wicozani and Youngblood Singers, with Wayashti Richardson as flutist and smoke dance singer and Henu Josephine Tarrant as guest singer.

Throughout the weekend, the arena comes alive with traditional dancing and drumming, along with contests and dance specials featuring competitors from across Indian Country.

About the Shinnecock Nation

The Shinnecock Indian Nation is one of New York state’s oldest self-governing Native nations and has lived on its ancestral homelands in and around what is now Southampton since time immemorial. The Nation received federal recognition in 2010.

The Shinnecock name roughly translates from its Algonquian language as “people of the stony shore.”

Today, the Nation has more than 1,500 enrolled members. Its tribal lands include approximately 900 acres at Shinnecock Neck along Shinnecock Bay and approximately 100 acres at Westwoods in Hampton Bays along Peconic Bay.

For visitors, the annual Powwow offers a chance to experience Native traditions on Shinnecock land — but it is also very much a living gathering, bringing Native communities together for competition, celebration and connection.

If You Go

80th Annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow
Friday-Monday, Sept. 4-7, 2026
Shinnecock Nation
100 Montauk Highway, Southampton

Hours
Friday: 3-11 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Monday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission
Adults: $20
Children ages 5-12: $10
Seniors 65 and older: $10
Military with ID: $10
Children under 5: Free

Cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate. Parking is free.

The Powwow is a drug- and alcohol-free event. Pets are not permitted except service animals with documentation, and drones are prohibited.

https://www.shinnecock-nsn.gov/annual-powwow

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .