Events
Events at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum bring people together to experience Native cultures through celebration, learning, and community connection. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a variety of programs that highlight Indigenous traditions, contemporary Native voices, and opportunities for hands-on engagement.
From seasonal gatherings to educational workshops, museum events provide meaningful ways for visitors of all ages to deepen their understanding of Native cultures. To see what’s happening next, explore the museum’s event calendar and plan your visit accordingly.
Events at the Museum
Pson-Skoks or Snow Snake is a winter game which has been played by many Northeastern Tribal Nations for generations. Join Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in partnership with Abenaki Trails for our very own Snow Snake Games on Saturday. The museum will be open and we will have hot cocoa and smores.
Outside events are free but regular admission applies to tour the museum. There will be plenty of snow snakes to borrow to try out. If you attended the workshop, make sure to bring the snow snake you decorated. Unsure of how to play or don't have a snow snake of your own? Don't worry, we have you covered! Join in on the winter fun for all ages!
Snow Snake Games - February
Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum invites the public to welcome the return of spring with Maple Day, a family-friendly program celebrating the traditional practice of maple sugaring. The outdoor program is free to the public.
For thousands of years, maple sugaring marked an important seasonal tradition for local Native communities. As spring approached, families gathered to tap maple trees, collect sap, and transform it into syrup and sugar using time-honored methods. More than a source of sweetness, maple sugar was an essential food, medicine, and trade item, deeply connected to cultural teachings and relationships with the land; these traditions continue today.
Program Highlights Include:
Observe maple sap boiling over a traditional outdoor fire pit
Play a variety of Native American games
Storytelling
Animal themed educational interactives
Medicine woods tours
Learn how acorns are traditionally transformed into pancakes…topped with maple syrup
Enjoy maple baked goods and hot beverages
Maple Day - March
We are so excited to be amongst friends as spring starts and we move into our open season. Come celebrate 35 years of MKIM, all we’ve accomplished, and all that we are actively looking forward to!
Join us for an afternoon celebrating everything that makes MKIM special and help us make it even better.
YOUR AFTERNOON INCLUDES:
Catered buffet with local favorites
Exclusive gallery access & guided tour
Walk on the newly accessible Medicine Woods trail
Explore our new seasonal exhibit
Founders Day – May
Join Us at the Annual Powwow in July!
The Annual Intertribal Powwow is Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum’s largest yearly event, bringing together Native dancers, drummers, artists, and community members for a weekend of culture, tradition, and connection. Guests can experience vibrant regalia, powerful dance exhibitions, live drumming and singing, Indigenous arts and crafts vendors, and activities for all ages. Open to the public and welcoming to everyone, the Powwow offers an opportunity to learn, celebrate, and share in the spirit of unity and respect while honoring the diverse traditions of Native peoples across North America.
Join us for our annual family-friendly Harvest Moon Festival. The festival is a Native American celebration of the harvest, the end of one cycle and the beginning of another. Harvest Moon is about more than just crops and food, it is a celebration of a season’s worth of hard work throughout the community.
The day will include the opportunity to make dolls from corn husks, sweet grass braids and also beading. Enjoy watching the art of basketmaking, a demonstration by a flintknapper and learn the process of how acorn flour is made. There will be sensory-friendly activities and games. The entire family will savor the taste of Native foods, including the ever-popular Hidatsa bison stew.
Harvest Moon Festival – September
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to honor America’s first inhabitants and the tribal nations that continue to thrive today, will be celebrated at MKIM with free admission and a special program welcoming Native artists and authors as they discuss their unique styles and creative processes.
Indigenous Peoples Day – October
Upcoming Events
There’s always something happening at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum — from cultural programs and hands-on workshops to community gatherings and annual celebrations. We’d love to have you join us and experience Native cultures, art, history, and traditions throughout the year.
Looking for more details on events?
Visit our full calendar page for complete event details, schedules, and updates, and join our newsletter to stay in the loop year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, including powwows, workshops, storytelling programs, craft demonstrations, educational programs, and seasonal community gatherings. Events are designed to celebrate Native American traditions, contemporary Indigenous voices, and hands-on learning experiences for visitors of all ages.
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Yes. Many events at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum are designed for families, children, educators, and community groups. Family-friendly programs often include storytelling, interactive crafts, cultural demonstrations, music, and outdoor activities that encourage visitors to learn and explore together
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Some events are included with museum admission, while others may require separate tickets or advance registration. Larger annual events like the Intertribal Powwow may have special admission pricing. Visitors are encouraged to check the museum’s event calendar for current details, schedules, and ticket information.
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The annual Intertribal Powwow is one of the museum’s largest cultural events, bringing together Native dancers, drummers, artists, traders, and community members for a weekend of music, dance, crafts, and cultural celebration. The event welcomes visitors from across New Hampshire and New England and offers an opportunity to experience Indigenous traditions in a respectful and engaging environment.
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Many workshops and cultural demonstrations are designed to be hands-on and interactive. Visitors may have opportunities to learn traditional arts, crafts, storytelling, or cultural practices directly from Native artists, educators, and culture-bearers.
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Upcoming programs, workshops, fundraisers, and cultural events can be found on the museum’s online event calendar. The calendar is updated throughout the year with seasonal activities, educational opportunities, and community celebrations.