New York City is a home for people from every corner of the world, and it also is on the ancestral lands of the Lenape Native American people. For immigrant families, Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers a meaningful opportunity to honor the First Peoples of this land while recognizing shared stories of resilience and cultural preservation.
Here are some NYC activities you can join this year around Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which takes place on October 13, 2025.
Manhattan: Native New York Exhibitions at the National Museum of the American Indian
Stop by the National Museum of the American Indian in New York to take in their ongoing exhibit Native New York, which walks through the Native history of present-day New York. Highlighting 12 locations from Long Island and New York City to Niagara Falls, the exhibition brings the region’s story to life through artifacts and storytelling, offering an engaging and insightful look at the deep and enduring connections of Native peoples to the land.
- Time: Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: National Museum of the American Indian in New York (One Bowling Green, New York, NY 10004)
- Admission: Free. No tickets required
Brooklyn Children’s Museum Celebration
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum offers a two-day festival filled with interactive fun for families. Programs feature Northeastern Haudenosaunee dance, hoop dancing, storytelling and a Native artisan marketplace. Children can take part in art workshops on beadwork, screen printing, and pottery, while food demonstrations showcase traditional practices.
- Time: October 12 – 13, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: Brooklyn Children’s Museum (145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11213)
- Admission: $15 general admission, $14 for grandparents, and free for children under one year old. Buy tickets.
Bronx: Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration with NAIC-NY
Hosted by the Bronx River Alliance and the North American Indigenous Center of New York, this celebration blends art, music, dance, and river activities. Guests can canoe and kayak along the Bronx River, enjoy Indigenous art workshops, and browse a mini library of Indigenous books. The day culminates with a Haudenosaunee Social, where songs, dances, and cultural knowledge are shared in the spirit of community.
- Time: October 11, 2025, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Location: Canoe launch area of the Mitsubishi River Walk in Bronx Park, Bronx
- Admission: Free. Open to the public. No registration required.
Bronx: Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend at Wave Hill
This three-day Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend celebration honors Indigenous contributions through storytelling, workshops, and engaging talks. Visitors can follow an audio guide featuring the history of Lenape Saunksquas (female chieftains) and their alliances, while family-friendly activities explore plants, food, and ecological knowledge. Indigenous artists will also present handmade works, making the gardens a living classroom of culture and connection.
- Time: October 11 to 13, 2025, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Location: Wave Hill (4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY 10471)
- Admission: $4 to $10 on the weekend and free on Indigenous People’s Day, Oct. 13
Manhattan: Indigenous Peoples’ Day New York City (IPDNYC) Gathering
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The Indigenous Peoples’ Day New York City (IPDNYC) Gathering is a two-day festival that invites everyone to experience the vibrancy and resilience of Indigenous cultures. The event brings together intertribal dancing, cultural performances, and inspiring guest speakers, all creating a dynamic celebration of heritage and community. Attendees can participate in an unforgettable sunrise ceremony on Monday, October 13th, at 7:00 a.m., with the unique opportunity to camp overnight on-site. Throughout the gathering, artisan vendors and food offerings highlight traditional crafts and flavors.
- Time: October 12 to 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. on Sunday to 2 p.m. on Monday.
- Location: Randall’s Island Park (20 Randall’s Island Park, New York, NY 10035)
- Admission: Free. Open to the public.
Manhattan: National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade 2025
Since 2022, the National Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Parade has united Indigenous nations from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central, and South America. On parade day, the Flatiron District will burst into color and rhythm as regalia, drumming, song, dance, and storytelling fill the streets. The grand procession begins at noon, transforming Madison Square Park into a vibrant stage for Indigenous pride, unity, and cultural heritage.
- Time: October 18, 2025. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Location: Madison Square Park (East 26th Street & 5th Ave., Manhattan)
- Admission: Free. Open to the public.
