Planning to attend the 74th Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, September 4–6, 2026? Here are the things I’d tell a friend before they come to town!

Cherokee National Holiday is one of the biggest weekends of the year in Tahlequah, bringing together Cherokee culture, history, family, food, traditional games, art, live entertainment, the Inter-Tribal Powwow and so much more. This year’s theme is “Together: A Legacy of Community, Family & Culture.”

In this episode of Living in Tahlequah, I’m sharing my local tips for making the most of Holiday weekend—from navigating the crowds and using the shuttle system to deciding what events to attend, where to eat, what to bring and why you shouldn’t try to fit everything into one day.

I also have a challenge for those of us who live here: do something at Cherokee National  ...