TISHOMINGO, OK – Chickasaws from across the country will gather to celebrate Chickasaw heritage, culture and traditions during the 2026 Chickasaw Annual Meeting and Festival, Sept. 25–Oct. 3. Events will take place in communities throughout the Chickasaw Nation, culminating with Chickasaw Nation Governor Chris Anoatubby’s State of the Nation Address Oct. 3 at the Aiitafama’ Ishto (large meeting place) on the grounds of the Chickasaw Nation Historic Capitol Building in Tishomingo.
The tradition began in 1960, when more than 100 Chickasaws gathered at Seeley Chapel near Connerville, Oklahoma, to discuss the state of the Tribe and its future. This year marks the 66th Chickasaw Annual Meeting and 38th Chickasaw Festival.
Events throughout the week include the coronation of tribal princesses, stickball games, cultural demonstrations, a 5K and fun run, senior and junior Olympics, golf, softball, archery, pickleball, cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, with activities taking place in Tishomingo, Ada and Sulphur. The festival begins Sept. 25 with a social stickball game and stomp dance at Kullihoma, while additional events include Chikasha stickball games at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and a cornstalk shoot at Kullihoma.
Three young women will be crowned Chickasaw Princess, Little Miss Chickasaw and Chickasaw Junior Princess during the Chickasaw Princess Pageant Sept. 28 at East Central University in Ada. The princesses serve one-year terms as ambassadors of the Chickasaw Nation. Activities at the capitol grounds begin Sept. 29 with cultural demonstrations, educational tours, stickball games and children’s activities. A tour of First Indian Baptist Church in Ada is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Chickasaw Cultural Evening will take place Oct. 1 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center, along with the Arts and Culture Awards recognizing Chickasaws for their work preserving Chickasaw culture and presenting top awards from the Southeastern Art Show and Market (SEASAM). SEASAM and SEASAM Youth will be held Oct. 2–3 on the capitol grounds, featuring adult and youth artists from federally recognized Southeastern tribes displaying jewelry, textiles, sculpture, paintings, photography and other works.
The final day begins with the Annual Meeting and Governor Anoatubby’s State of the Nation Address Oct. 3. The traditional meal, arts and crafts vendors and food trucks will be followed by the festival parade, with live music and additional competitions and activities scheduled throughout the day.
A complete schedule of events and locations is available at AnnualMeeting.Chickasaw.net.
