As the crisp autumn leaves swirl through Atlanta’s streets, the city turns its gaze toward a vibrant celebration of Native American heritage.

The Native American Festival & Pow Wow, a cornerstone event in the metro area’s cultural calendar, is set to unfold during the third week of October 2025. This is one of metro Atlanta’s best festivals. 

Native American Festival & Pow Wow: What To Know

Hosted in the heart of Stone Mountain just 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta, this four-day gathering honors the enduring spirit of Indigenous peoples while fostering community connections in a region rich with Native history.

Taking place on Thursday, October 30, and Friday, October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturday, November 1 and Sunday, November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00, the festival transforms the open space in front of Stone Mountain into a living tapestry of tradition and innovation.

Bring a chair or blanket, and prepare for a weekend filled with the heartbeat of drums, the swirl of colorful regalia, and the aroma of frybread wafting through the air.

A Pow Wow Rooted in Atlanta’s Indigenous Legacy

Atlanta’s story is inseparable from the lands of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, whose ancestors once called this region home long before European settlers arrived.

Another festival that just occurred — the Standing Peachtree Native American Festival— took place in East Point.

The name “Standing Peachtree” pays homage to the historic village of Standing Peachtree, a Muscogee settlement that stood at the confluence of the Chattahoochee River and Peachtree Creek—roughly where modern-day Atlanta now thrives.

This site was a vital trading hub and diplomatic center for the Creek Confederacy, fostering alliances among tribes and early colonists until the forced removals of the 1830s under the Trail of Tears uprooted thousands from their ancestral grounds.

In that vein, the Standing Peachtree Festival isn’t just an event; it’s a reclamation of space and story. “This pow wow is our way of standing tall in the city that bears the echoes of our forebears,” says event facilitator Kelli Gowder of Georgia Indigenous Diversity Consulting. “It’s about educating, healing, and celebrating the resilience of Native communities in Georgia today.”

Drawing participants from local tribes like the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and beyond, the festival bridges past and present, reminding attendees that Indigenous voices continue to shape the South.

What to Expect: Dance, Drums, and Cultural Immersion

At its core, the pow wow is a symphony of movement and sound.

Grand entries on both days will kick off with processionals of dancers in stunning regalia—feathers, beads, and jingles catching the sunlight as they honor the four directions.

Intertribal dances welcome all to join the circle, embodying the pow wow’s spirit of unity and inclusivity.

Competitive categories shine a spotlight on traditional, fancy, jingle, and grass dances, with cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in adult, teen, and junior divisions, celebrating skill passed down through generations.

Music pulses from award-winning flute players and drum groups, evoking the sacred songs that have guided Native ceremonies for centuries.

Visitors can expect storytelling sessions that weave tales of Creek folklore and Cherokee legends, alongside hands-on “touch and feel” booths where kids (and adults) can explore artifacts like woven baskets, pottery, and tools crafted in the styles of Southeastern tribes.

Food vendors will tantalize with authentic flavors: think Indian tacos piled high with savory fillings on fluffy frybread, roasted corn slathered in butter, and sweet treats like wojapi berry pudding.

Native arts take center stage too, with vendors showcasing handmade jewelry, paintings, and crafts—perfect for holiday shopping with a meaningful twist.

Why This Matters in 2025

The festival amplifies calls for reflection and reconciliation.

In a year marked by national conversations on land back and cultural sovereignty, events like this one underscore Atlanta’s role as a modern hub for Native resurgence.

With over 20,000 Indigenous residents in the metro area, according to recent census data, pow wows like Standing Peachtree build visibility and support for urban Native communities facing everything from housing challenges to cultural preservation efforts.

For locals, it’s a low-key alternative to the bigger spectacles, like the Native American Festival & Pow Wow at Stone Mountain Park (slated for October 30–November 2).

“We’re intimate, accessible, and right in the city,” Gowder adds. “No admission fees mean everyone can participate in this healing circle.”

Plan Your Visit

The event is family-friendly, pet-accommodating (leashed, of course), and rain-or-shine, with shaded areas for comfort.

In a city that pulses with progress, the Native American Festival & Pow Wow reminds us to pause, listen, and honor the original stewards of these red hills.

Mark your calendars—this October, Atlanta dances with its roots.

Final Word

As the city lights up with yet another special event this weekend, remember: Safe driving is the real treat. For more tips on navigating safely around the city, read our Atlanta Traffic Guide.

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