Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration: Nov. 1-2 & free this year

Last updated on November 29th, 2024 at 08:19 am

Folks may expect fry bread and alligator wrestling, but when they journey into the Everglades for the Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration Nov. 1-2, 2024, 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.

Every year, the festival also brings in a special performance by indigenous artists from outside the area.

The 2024 festival features a long list of events, include: alligator wrestling; guest appearance by Dallas Goldtooth, Native American actor; White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers; champion Native American hoop dance performance; Aztec dance performance, Amayel Mexican Cultural Academy; native art and craft vendors; tribal food vendors; live wildlife show and live music by Rez Jams

For the first time ever, this event and admission to the museum is FREE in 2024. In 2023, the event was renamed Seminoles American Indigenous Arts Celebration 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.

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

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:  For the first time ever, the event and museum admission is free in 2024.

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.

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.