Author: Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Previous Image 1/3 Next Image

Bring the whole family or your Valentine to enjoy a day of chocolate history, culture, and food at the National Museum of the American Indian, Saturday, Feb. 14, 10 AM – 5 PM. 

Visitors can watch as Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum’s own Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day! 

SCHEDULE

10 AM-4 PM | Amate Bookmark Activity
Made from fig and mulberry bark, amate is a type of paper that has been made and used by Indigenous communities of what is now Mexico for generations. Amate was often used to create codices or folding books. Join our museum educators to make and take home your own amate bookmark. 

10:30 AM-5 PM | Blossom to Beverage
The Jose Reyes Family (Mixtec) will share the process of turning cacao into chocolate. “Blossom to Beverage” delves deep into cacao, from blooms through ripe cacao pods, and finishes with the frothy beverage we recognize as hot chocolate.

11 AM, 2 PM | Food demonstrations with Executive Chef Alexandra Strong
Mitsitam’s executive chef will demonstrate how to make some of her favorite chocolate desserts.

12:30 PM, 3:30 PM | Performances by Danza Tecuanis
Local Mixtec dance group Danza Tecuanis fills the Potomac Atrium with movement.

*Schedule subject to change

Previous Image 1/3 Next Image

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Art Market returns to the museum in Washington, D.C., Dec. 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This annual event features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere. Visitors can meet Indigenous artists and learn about traditional Native arts and contemporary Native creativity. Artists will offer authentic, hand-crafted works of art, including jewelry, fashion, photography and pottery. Serious collectors and casual shoppers will find one-of-a-kind pieces at a wide range of prices.

During breaks from shopping at Native Art Market, visitors can enjoy curator-led tours of three of the museum’s exhibitions, including its newest, “Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe.” Tours will be at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7. Also on Dec. 7, the museum will offer a tour of the National Native American Veterans Memorial at 3:30 p.m. in commemoration of Pearl Harbor Day.

Young visitors can enjoy a make-and-take winter craft in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center located on the museum’s third floor.

The museum’s espresso bar will offer a special winter menu for both days of the art market. Must-try items include warm hibiscus juniper-spiced cider; champurrado, a traditional Mexican hot chocolate drink made with masa harina, and notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and piloncillo; and piñon, which are Mexican wedding cookies made with pine nuts.

This schedule is subject to change; visit AmericanIndian.si.edu for event updates.

Previous Image 1/2 Next Image

Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in-person and online to celebrate the contributions and cultures of Indigenous communities every year. All events are free.

Native Cinema Showcase Online 2025

Friday, November 21, 5 PM ET through Friday, November 28, 5 PM ET | On demand

Watch short films that feature Indigenous stories and perspectives from across the Western Hemisphere. The museum’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film.

This year’s showcase shares stories of resilience, inspiration and hope as well as stories that entertain and educate through a variety of film genres. Countries represented are the United States, Peru, New Zealand and Greenland. There are four Indigenous languages spoken in the films: Quechua, Māori, Kalaallisut and Mohawk.

All films are streaming free from November 21, 5 PM ET to November 28, 2025, 5 PM ET. Watch here.

Generous support provided by The Walt Disney Company.

Native American Heritage Day Featuring Hoop Dancer Joseph Secody

Friday, November 28, 11:30 AM–4 PM

Learn about the art and power of the Hoop Dance with performances by award-winning dancer Joseph Secody (Navajo). Performances begin at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:30 PM.

At 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM join curator Anya Montiel (Mestiza/Tohono O’odham descent) for a closer look at the museum’s special installation Making a Statement, featuring custom Gucci gowns worn by actress Lily Gladstone (Siksikaitsitapi [Blackfeet]/Nimiipuu [Nez Perce]) at the 96th Academy Awards.

Native Art Market

Saturday and Sunday, December 6–7, 10 AM–5 PM

Make your holiday shopping special and support Indigenous artists. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to purchase traditional and contemporary handcrafted artworks, including beadwork, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, and sculpture.

Visit the museum’s exhibitions, enjoy lunch at the Mitsitam Cafe, and join a curator-led tour. Kids can enjoy a make-and-take craft activity in the imagiNATIONS Activity Center. The museum’s annual Native Art Market features award-winning and innovative Indigenous artists from across the Western Hemisphere.