11 Days at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center started off October with some of its most anticipated events of the year. The American Indian Arts Festival, Balloon Fiesta Week at IPCC, and Indigenous Peoples’ Day all provided visitors with an unforgettable experience as they gathered to celebrate Pueblo and Indigenous cultures from October 3 -13. Check out some of the highlights of these 11 amazing days:

2025 American Indian Arts Festival

The American Indian Arts Festival is the only authentic, all-Native American art show in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta, giving both locals and visitors to Albuquerque the opportunity to meet, talk with, and shop directly from Native artists. More than 50 artists gathered in the IPCC courtyard to sell work like jewelry, pottery, and paintings. Visitors could also see cultural dances while exploring the art for sale.

Cultural Dances

The special events coinciding with the 2025 Balloon Fiesta included full days of cultural dances, with groups performing in the dance circle within the courtyard. These dances are performed to ask for blessings, as well as to give thanks for blessings that have been received. Their continuing performances also help ensure that these traditions are kept alive.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an important day at IPCC, commemorating and celebrating the resilience of the Indigenous People of the Western Hemisphere. The celebration on October 13 included dances, comedy from cartoonist and comedian Ricardo Caté, and speakers including Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, Representatives Andrea Romero and Derek Lente, and Albuquerque mayor Tim Keller.