Free Portal to the Past Festival Celebrates Indigenous Culture and Water Heritage in Phoenix

Experience S’edav Va’aki Museum (SVM) and Cultural Coalition’s eighth annual Portal to the Past Festival (Portal Fest) and the new Indigenous Identities exhibit for FREE on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, Portal Fest is offering a wide variety of entertainment and activities that highlight the water heritage and ingenuity of the Ancestral O’Odham, the original inhabitants of the Valley of the Sun. During the festival, attendees will enjoy additional programs including, live music, dance performances, artist demonstrations, and family friendly arts and crafts that further explore the history and importance of water in the desert.

SVM and Cultural Coalition are also excited to announce that the Toka Tournament will return for the fourth year in a row from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Teams from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the Gila River Indian Community, and the Tohono O’Odham Nation will be playing in a round robin format. Toka is a traditional game played by women of all ages from the O’Odham communities and resembles a mix of field hockey and lacrosse. Games are played in dirt and can be very intense so don’t miss out!

Event Details

Date: Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026

Location: S’edav Va’aki Museum, 4619 E. Washington St.,

Phoenix, AZ 85034

Festival Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission: Free and open to the public

Festival admission includes access to the Museum's main gallery, archaeological trail and new Indigenous Identities exhibit. We thank the S’edav Va’aki Museum Foundation, Desert Diamond Casino, Central Arizona Project, Salt River Project, and Arizona Humanities for supporting this festival.

To view full schedule of events, please visit culturalcoaltion.com/portalfest/

About the S’edav Va’aki Museum

S’eḏav Va’aki Museum is a 1,500-year-old archaeological site once inhabited by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People. Voted a Phoenix Point of Pride and listed as a National Historic Landmark, the Museum offers an ADA accessible interpretive trail on the prehistoric site. Visitors view a platform mound, ballcourt and irrigation canals. Indoor exhibits feature artifacts from the site and hands-on activities. The Museum provides preservation, education, and collaborative interpretation of the cultural history of the Phoenix area and is managed by the City of Phoenix Arts and Culture Department.

Throughout the year, S’eḏav Va’aki Museum offers programs for visitors of all ages. Check out www.phoenix.gov/SVmuseum or call (602) 495-0901 for more information about upcoming programs and events.

S’eḏav Va’aki Museum

4619 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034

(602) 495-0901

phoenix.gov/SVmuseum

The Museum is located on the Southeast corner of 44th St. and Washington St.

Accessible by the Sky Train and the Sky Harbor Airport Light Rail Station Stop

Follow us on Facebook @SedavVaakiMuseum on Instagram @SedavVaakiMuseum

Contact:

Stephanie Joyner, Community Engagement Coordinator

S’edav Va’aki Museum

City of Phoenix Arts and Culture

Phone: 602-495-0901

E-mail: stephanie.joyner@phoenix.gov