Yes, tickets are available to purchase at the gate.

Note: Event closes on Sunday at 5 p.m. Culture Passes not valid during this Signature Event. 

General public entry time is 8:30 a.m. Members have an early bird entry for seating at 8:15 a.m. The event starts at 9 a.m.

This is a rain or shine event. Should the weather turn grey, the competition may be postponed and/or moved indoors to the Steele Auditorium. If the forecast indicates rain, we suggest bringing jackets, umbrellas, ponchos, etc.

Parking: There is designated ADA parking in the north parking lot.
Seating: There are two areas inside the event for Elder and ADA seating.
CART Services: We are committed to making this event accessible to everyone. CART services provide real-time transcription of all spoken content into text, displayed on a screen or personal device. This service ensures that individuals who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or benefit from text-based access can fully participate.

Museum visitors can also utilize a variety of sensory-friendly resources. For museum visitors, we offer sensory-friendly resources including noise-canceling headphones, color-correcting glasses, Williams Sound personal amplifiers, weighted lap pads, and more.

Heard Museum:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Courtyard Café
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Coffee Cantina
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Museum Shop
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Books & More
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Yes, we have handstamps, and you may leave and come back as you wish.

Photos and video for personal/social media is not just allowed but encouraged!

If intended use is for publication, business, or sales, permission is necessary. Please review our photo/video policy to protect the rights of Indigenous Artists, and then click this link to submit a media request form.

Yes, you are encouraged to bring a refillable water bottle (free water refill stations available), fold-up chairs, blankets, hats, sunblock, sunglasses, visors, and an umbrella/poncho.

Pop-up tents are not permitted.

Food, Beverage, & Alcohol: No outside food or drink is permitted, except for water bottles. This event has many outside food vendors as well as our Courtyard Café and Coffee Cantina. No outside alcohol is permitted.

Bags: We do not allow cooler bags inside this event. Inside the museum, normal bag policies apply.

Pets and Service Animals: Only Service Animals will be allowed into the event and must be leashed or tethered accordingly. Comfort animals are not permitted.

Firearms and Weapons: No weapons, at any time, inside or outside permitted.

Smoking Policy: Not permitted in the Museum, nor within 20 feet of the front entrance. Only allowed in designated smoking areas.

Prohibited Items: Illegal Drugs or Substances, Skateboards, Segways, Scooter, Rollerblades, bicycles, Hoverboards, and helmets. No coolers, ice chests, or pointed-Tip Umbrellas, Patrons without Shoes or Shirt.

Drone Restrictions: It is illegal to fly a drone during this event.

Dancers are judged on a slate of five skills: precision, timing/rhythm, showmanship, creativity, and speed. Contestants compete in one of five divisions: Tiny Tots (age 5 and younger), Youth (6-12), Teen (13-17), Adult (18-39) and Senior (40 and older). Cash prizes totaling $25,000 are awarded to winners in each division, and victors in each division can claim the honor of being the Hoop Dance World Champion. Through stunning performances of those women and men competing to be named the next World Champion Hoop Dancer, the event combines artistry, athleticism, tradition, and suspense for an unforgettable weekend of fellowship and competition.

View the Official 2026 World Championship Hoop Dance Contest Rules.

Lowery Begay (Diné)

Kricket Rhoades (Kiowa/Caddo)

Quentin Pipestem (Tsuut’ina)

Jasmine Bell (Crow Creek Sioux)

Daniel Tramper (Cherokee)

Sage Romero (Tovowahamatu Numu/Tuah-Tahi)

View previous World Champions of the Adult Division.