The Morongo Band of Mission Indians, a sovereign nation headquartered in Banning, California at the base of the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountains, hosts one of the largest powwows in the region: the annual Morongo Thunder & Lightning Pow Wow. The gathering brings together championship dancers, drum groups, and singers from across North America, along with Native artisans and food vendors.

According to the tribe, tens of thousands of visitors attend the powwow each year, making it a signature Native cultural event in Southern California. The 35th Annual Thunder & Lightning Pow Wow is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026.

Events on this page are shared from the Nevada's Indian Territory calendar (nevadasindianterritory.com).