Friends of Serpent Mound's SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - 2026, Free

Friends of Serpent Mound's annual SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION - 2026

June 19 to 21, 2026
Full schedule and more at the website https://www.serpentmound.org/fullschedule/

Festival Hours
Friday
3 pm – 7 pm
Saturday
10 am – 7 pm
Sunday
10 am – 7 pm

The annual festival highlights the area’s history, heritage, ecology, as well as the multitude of aspects associated with the Serpent Mound Park. The Great Serpent Mound effigy, built by the Ancient Indigenous Peoples, incorporates alignments to the rising and setting of the sun and moon on the solstices and equinoxes. The summer solstice sunset alignment is through the open jaws and across the oval.

There are many theories, stories, ancient knowledge, and unknowns with Serpent Mound. The Friends of Serpent Mound started this festival as a way for the public to share and learn about the many facets of Serpent Mound. Our presenters vary from locals, historians, Indigenous Americans, Scientists, Spiritualist, Musicians, and more. Learn about Serpent Mound and the surrounding area’s history, uniqueness, wildlife, and ecology, along with some fun family friendly summer activities

Celebrate the Summer Solstice at Serpent Mound, June 19 to 21, 2026. This free, family friendly festival highlights Appalachian food, culture, nature, and local Indigenous history.

What you can expect:

• Hands-on workshops like natural pigment painting, charcoal pencil making, clay, and weaving
• Gardening sessions focused on year round growing indoors and outdoors
• Outdoor experiences including guided nature hikes, foraging, and crater rim tours
• Live music, flute performances, and Appalachian cultural demonstrations
• Unique sessions like open flame cooking, dulcimer introduction, and automatic writing
• Sunday activities including a kayak tour, pollinator trail dedication, animal programs, and Indigenous music and drumming

Why this place matters:

• Serpent Mound is one of the few effigy mounds in Ohio and the largest known serpent effigy in the United States
• The earthwork stretches nearly a quarter mile and represents an uncoiling serpent
• It sits on a plateau above Brush Creek with nearby burial mounds linked to the Adena culture, dating from 800 BC to AD 100

Event details:

• Free to attend, no registration required
• Family friendly with clear guidelines for safety
• Dogs allowed on leash
• No camping available on site

Join for one day or the full weekend and experience hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and the deep cultural history of this unique site

Festival Parking
Anyone planning to spend the day with us, should enter the festival from Horner Chapel Rd and park in the field. Anyone parked at Serpent Mound may visit us via the Buckeye Trail, but you will have to pay a parking fee. Look for our sign behind the large conical mound and follow the Buckeye Trails’ Blue Blazes to our other signs

Where is Soaring Eagle Retreat?

Soaring Eagle Retreat is east of Serpent Mound and the Ohio History Connection has asked that all of our participants come in from the Horner Chapel entrance and park in our field. One can access Serpent Mound park via the Buckeye Trail during Park hours.

375 Horner Chapel Rd., Peebles, OH 45660
1-937-205-0094
info@serpentmound.org

Stop by the Lavender Summer Solstice Festival in near by Martinsville the same weekend at Peaceful Acres Farms