Powwow At The Lake 2026

Powwow at the Lake is back for our third year.There is something special about gathering by the water.For the third summer, the American Indian Center is bringing Native singing, dancing, vendors, family, and community back to the lakefront for Powwow at the Lake. What started as a way to make Native presence more visible along Chicago’s shoreline has become one of our favorite summer evenings together.Come hang with us by the water. Bring your family, your chairs, your blankets, your aunties, your cousins, your friends, and that one person who always says they are “on the way” but has not left the house yet.This event is free and open to everyone. You do not have to be Native to attend. We welcome community members, relatives, neighbors, friends, and respectful guests who want to spend the evening with us, support Native dancers and vendors, and learn by being present.Grand Entry begins at 6 p.m., so please plan to arrive early, get settled, visit the vendors, and find a place to sit. This is an outdoor event at Foster Beach, so bring your own chairs or blankets.We will have intertribal dances, spot dances, audience participation, Native vendors, and a closing Round Dance. Dancers are invited to come in full regalia and help bring this evening to life. Community members and guests are invited to watch, support, shop, visit, laugh, dance when invited, and spend a summer night with Native Chicago on the lakefront.We will be offering a $40 honorarium to the first 40 dancers who preregister and check in. Dancers must preregister through the sign-up form, where additional details are available:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuLTnThVPAtzoQRqya2YMH0aWRyYa475FYxFJ3xtaYxVnbjQ/viewform?usp=dialogPowwow at the LakeHosted by the American Indian CenterPart of Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the ParksThursday, June 11, 20266 to 8:30 p.m.Grand Entry at 6 p.m.Foster Beach5100 N. Simonds Drive, ChicagoThis event is free and open to the public.Native vendors will be on site.Come be by the water with us. Bring your people, visit the vendors, support the dancers, and spend a summer night with Native Chicago on the lakefront.Powwow at the Lake is back.