Last updated on November 20th, 2025 at 09:32 pm
Folks may expect fry bread and alligator wrestling, but when they journey into the Everglades for the Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration Nov. 7-8, 2025, they’re also going to see dancers, hear native musicians and meet some wildlife.
The Seminole’s annual cultural festival unfolds on the Big Cypress reservation, halfway between Naples and Fort Lauderdale off Alligator Alley, at the exceptional Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.
The 2025 festival features a long list of events, including: alligator wrestling; Native American dance troupe performances; native art and craft vendors; tribal food vendors; live wildlife show and live music.
The celebration begins with a Grand Entry Powwow led by Seminole Medicine Man Bobby Henry, Tribal dignitaries, Native drummers, dancers, and hoop dance performers on Friday.
The event was renamed Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration in 2023 from its original name, the Seminoles American Indian Arts Celebration.
Even without the festival, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is worth a visit. It opens with a dramatic multi-screen media presentation and its well-designed dioramas and exhibits explain Seminole history and traditions.
A highlight for many visitors is the one-and-a-half-mile boardwalk through a cypress swamp adjacent to the museum. About half way through the walk, visitors come to the village and ceremonial grounds with chickees where Seminole artists and craftsmen interact with visitors.
While the festival offers a full schedule of entertainment on its main stage, many come for the Native American vendors who bring silverwork, beadwork, woodwork, basketry, leatherwork, photography, paintings, jewelry and an array of food to the Indian market.
The event will take place on the festival grounds across from the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. Parking and admission is free.
The festival includes special activities for children, including a “take-away craft.” The festival always includes a Friday so that school groups can come on field trips.
More about the Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 7-8, 2025
Where: The festival takes place on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation. From I-75 (Alligator Alley), take exit 49, Snake Road. Travel north about 17 miles. Snake Road becomes Josie Billie Highway as you enter the Seminole community. Approximately one mile past the water tower, Josie Billie Highway intersects with West Boundary Road. The museum is on the left at the corner of West Boundary Road and Josie Billie Highway. Museum parking is on the right, opposite the main entrance to museum.
Admission: The event and museum admission is free in 2025.
Note: Most vendors accept cash only.
Note: The Friday celebration is scheduled so that school groups can come on field trips. Teachers should contact Abena at abenarobinson@semtribe.com or call 863-902-1113 ext 12235.
Schedule Friday, Nov. 7, 2025
9:50 AM – 10 AM
Welcoming Announcements
Main Stage
10 AM – 11 AM
Grand Entry & Pow Wow Spotlight
Main Stage
11 AM – Noon
Ahfachkee School Fashion Show
Main Stage
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom Wildlife Show
Stage 360
Noon – 12:30 PM
Rez Jamz: Ahfachkee School Band
Main Stage
Tony Duncan Productions
Hoop Dance Workshop
Stage 360
12:30 PM – 1 PM
Alligator Wrestling
Main Stage
Miss Florida Seminole & Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Meet & Greet
Stage 360
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Grand Entry, Pow Wow & Hoop Dancing Competition
Main Stage
1 PM – 2 PM
Aztec Dancers, Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy
Stage 360
2 PM – 3 PM
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom Wildlife Show
Stage 360
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Elgin Jumper, Paint Live Art Demonstration
Stage 360
3 PM – 4 PM
VIP Photo Op
Main Stage
4 PM – 4:45pm
Alligator Wresting
Main Stage
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom
Wildlife Show-Stage 360
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Announcements
Main Stage
Schedule Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
9:50 AM – 10 AM
Welcoming Announcements
Main Stage
10:00 AM – noon
Grand Entry, Pow Wow & Hoop Dancing Competition
Main Stage
11 AM – Noon
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom
Wildlife Show-Stage 360
12:30 PM – 1 PM
Alligator Wrestling
Main Stage
Miss Florida Seminole & Jr. Miss Florida Seminole Meet & Greet
Stage 360
1 PM – 3 PM
Grand Entry, Pow Wow & Hoop Dancing Competition
Main Stage
1 PM – 2 PM
Aztec Dancers, Ameyal Mexican Cultural Academy
Stage 360
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Pharaoh’s Wildlife Kingdom
Wildlife Show-Stage 360
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Lenora Roberts Fashion Show
Main Stage
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Tony Duncan Productions
Hoop Dancing Workshop
Stage 360
4 PM – 4:30 PM
Alligator Wresting-Main Stage
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Announcements for Competition Winners
Main Stage
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Announcements
Main Stage
Schedule subject to change
Web site
About the Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum: The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum was awarded full accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2009, the first tribally-governed museum to have received accreditation. The museum opened in 1997.
More from Florida Rambler: Six places to celebrate Native American Heritage Month this November
Stories related to Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration
- Site for Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum
- Reviews for Ah-Tha-Thi-Ki Museum on TripAdvisor
- Nearby: Billie Swamp Safari for airboat rides, eco-tours and camping in chickee huts
- The museum’s account of the story of alligator wrestling, including oral histories and videos.
For more information, call 863-902-1113 extension 12211 or contact Carrie Dilley at carriedilley@semtribe.com.
