8. Greek Festival
Sept. 19-22 – Tulsa
Give a rousing Opa for the return of this annual cultural celebration.
Draw No. 1? The food. Try Greek grub, including loukaniko (pork sausage and peppers), keftedes (meatballs), rice pilaf and the classic gyro.
Entertainment features dancers, live music, shopping and church tours. Enjoy “Kefi hours” from Thursday through Saturday, with late-night dancing in the streets and tempting drink specials.
The event runs at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Visit tulsagreekfestival.com.
7. Linde
Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-20 – Tulsa
One of the most lauded fall events in the nation runs at Tulsa’s River West Festival Park. Linde Oktoberfest celebrates its 41st year in Tulsa with authentic music, food and entertainment from Germany.
The fun kicks off Oct. 16 with Corporate Night, where sponsors from around Oklahoma convene for a night of entertainment. Oct. 17 welcomes the general public with opening ceremonies, a whimsical parade and a fireworks display kicking off at 5 p.m. Activities to catch throughout the weekend include energetic performances atop Das Glockenspiel – a double decker stage with a bar below – and the adorable Dachshund Dash, where costumed canines race to be crowed top dog.
Athletic events offer locals the chance to compete in a variety of challenges. The bier barrel races are a highlight, where participants roll barrels of beer down a track. Another wildly amusing event is the stein competition, where the brave of heart see who can hold a full stein of beer in an outstetched arm the longest. Stick around to try relays and ax throwing.
For something more low-key, visit the arts and crafts markets or jam out with local musicians at a variety of tents around the property. Like any traditional fair, rides abound in a variety of intensities; scaredy-cats and adrenaline junkies alike can find their perfect fit.
The crowned jewel atop Linde Oktoberfest is the fare. From kebab wraps and German skillet potatoes to bratwurst, schnitzel and sauerkraut, you’ll find something to enjoy while sipping on a beverage in the biergarten.
For those looking to imbibe or hoping to save on parking, a free shuttle service runs downtown and at hotels around the city.
For tickets and a schedule, visit
tulsaoktoberfest.org.
6. Fiesta de las Americas
Oct. 5 – OKC
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Historic Capitol Hill district.
Guests can enjoy a lively parade, dubbed the Parade of the Americas; this multicultural event showcases artistic floats from numerous small businesses, schools, cultural groups, nonprofits and clubs.
The fun continues with live entertainment, a Latino art corner, a kids zone, food, a pageant and various vendors selling their wares. The fiesta runs from noon to 9 p.m. in Calle Dos Cinco. Visit historiccapitolhill.com.
5. Bluegrass and Chili Festival
Sept. 6-7 – Wagoner
The 40th annual Bluegrass and Chili Festival offers many activities, live music and grub downtown.
The free festival’s main event is the bluegrass. Headlining acts include Ricky Skaggs and the Kentucky Thunder; Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper; The Cleverlys; and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver.
Other attractions include a car show with more than 50 class specifications, an antique tractor exhibition, a junior musical showcase and a Kiddie Koral for youngsters with crafts and inflatables. Guests should stick around for the exciting (and delicious) Mid-America Regional Chili Cook-Off on Sept. 7.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Visit bluegrasschilifest.com.
4. Aviation Festival
Sept. 21 – Norman
Learn the ins and outs of the aviation world at Max Westheimer Airport at the University of Oklahoma.
The 13th annual Aviation Festival, free to the public, runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offers static aircraft displays and question-and-answer sessions with professionals. Enjoy a kids corner with tours of the hangar, hands-on science-technology-engineering-and-math activities, and appearances from Caesar, a bomb-sniffing dog, and OU’s pony mascots, Boomer and Sooner.
Lunch is free, and snow-cones and other treats are available to purchase. Visit ou.edu/airport/events/festival.
3. Oklahoma Regatta Festival
Oct. 4-6 – OKC
Experience an entertaining day on the water at OKC’s RiverSport Adventures.
Sporting competitions include dragon boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking and rowing; you’ll have a front row seat to all the action on the lawn.
Apart from a riveting regatta, the festival offers beer gardens and food trucks to enjoy. New this year is the concurrent Thrive Outside Expo on Oct. 5. This exhibition offers a variety of informative stations where kids and adults alike can learn about getting active in the outdoors.
Visit riversportokc.org.
2. National Weather Festival
Oct. 26 – Norman
The University of Oklahoma’s National Weather Center plays host to this educational event for all ages that shines a light on the state’s important weather-related organizations.
For the aspiring meteorologist – or just for those keen on learning more about how weather works – this festival has tours of the center’s premier facilities, along with meet-and-greets with some of Oklahoma’s most popular broadcast meteorologists.
Other highlights include displays of emergency response vehicles, drone demonstrations, a children’s area, food trucks and the opportunity to issue your own tornado warning.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit ou.edu/nwc/visit/national-weather-festival.
1. Festival Food
The most delicious part of any festival is the bevy of food options available. From multicultural delicacies to classic grub, you can find just about anything at Oklahoma events.
Tulsa Greek Festival
The menu at the Tulsa Greek Festival spans from souvlaki – a chicken or pork shish kabob with rice and green beans – to rice pilaf, tyropita and baklava.
Scotfest
You can’t go wrong with the food options at Tulsa’s Scotfest. Popular choices include fish and chips, haggis and shortbread. Stick around for several beers on tap.
Oklahoma Czech Festival
The Czech Festival offers a variety of foods to nosh, including kolaches – pastries filled with sausage, cheese or fruit – plus sausages and klobasy sandwiches.
Fin and Feather
Fall Festival
Food trucks abound at the Fin and Feather Fall festival, or you can try Soda Steve’s on the property. Menu items include a variety of burgers, funky salads, fries and sandwiches.
Linde Oktoberfest
Dusk ’Til Dawn Blues Festival
Through Sept. 2
OK Blues Hall of Fame, Rentiesville
dcminnerblues.com
Banjo Fest
Sept. 5-7
American Banjo Museum, OKC
banjofest2019.com
Bluegrass and Chili Festival
Sept. 6-7
Downtown Wagoner
bluegrasschilifest.com
Septemberfest
Sept. 7
Oklahoma History Center, OKC
okhistory.org
Let It Be Arts Festival
Sept. 7-8
Kiefer City Park
travelok.com
Coweta Fall Festival
Sept. 12-14
Downtown
cowetachamber.com
Scotfest
Sept. 13-15
Broken Arrow Events Park
okscotfest.com
Norman Film Festival
Sept. 14
Downtown
normanfilmfest.com
Wiley Post Festival
Sept. 14
506 Williams St., Maysville
chickasawcountry.com
MisFest
Sept. 14
Guthrie Green, Tulsa
misfest.com
Skiatook Pioneer Day Festival and Rodeo
Sept. 19-21
Skiatook Central Park Corner
skiatookchamber.com
Buckin’ Wild Music Festival
Sept. 19-21
Lost Creek Ranch, Erick
buckinwildmusicfest.com
Tulsa Greek Festival
Sept. 19-22
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Tulsa
tulsagreekfestival.com
Medicine Stone Music Festival
Sept. 20-22
Diamondhead Resort, Tahlequah
medicinestoneok.com
Stone River Music Festival
Sept. 20-22
343188 E. 870 Road, Chandler
stonerivermusicfestival.com
Hennessey Wine and Chocolate Festival
Sept. 21
Memorial Park
hennesseyok.org
Arts ’N’ Action Festival
Sept. 21
Tillman County Courthouse Square, Frederick
ramonatheatre.com
Wings and Wheels Festival
Sept. 21
Anadarko Municipal Airport
anadarkochamber.org
Elk City Fall Festival
Sept. 21
Convention Center
elkcitychamber.com
Aviation Festival
Sept. 21
Max Westheimer Airport, Norman
ou.edu/airport/events/festival
Oklahoma Book Festival
Sept. 21
Boathouse District, OKC
okbookfest.org
Fall Festival at the Orr Family Farm
Sept. 21-Nov. 9
Orr Family Farm, OKC
orrfamilyfarm.com
Mesta Festa
Sept. 22
Perle Mesta Park, OKC
mestapark.org
Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd’s Cross
Sept. 24-Nov. 9
Shepherd’s Cross, Claremore
shepherdscross.com
Illinois River Jam
Sept. 26-28
Peyton’s Place, Tahlequah
illinoisriverjam.com
Fin and Feather Fall Festival
Sept. 27-29
Fin and Feather Resort, Gore
finandfeatherresort.com
Oklahoma Born and Branded Festival
Sept. 27-29
Oklahoma Street, Guthrie
oklahomabornandbranded.com
International Festival
Sept. 27-29
Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton
lawtonok.gov
Haunted Castle Halloween Festival
Sept. 27-Oct. 26
The Castle of Muskogee
okcastle.com
Sucker Day Festival
Sept. 28
Main Street, Wetumka
travelok.com
Plaza District Festival
Sept. 28
Plaza District, OKC
plazadistrict.org
Grape Stomp Festival
Sept. 29
Canadian River Winery, Lexington
canadianriverwinery.net
Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 3-5
Cottonwood Flats Recreation Area, Guthrie
oibf.com
EdFest
Oct. 4
Farmers Market Pavilion, Edmond
edfestokc.com
Honobia Bigfoot Festival and Conference
Oct. 4-5
Kiamichi Mountain Mission Campgrounds, Honobia
honobiabigfoot.com
Oklahoma Regatta Festival
Oct. 4-6
RiverSport Adventures, OKC
riversport.org
Rock Island Arts Festival
Oct. 4-6
Rock Island Depot, Chickasha
rockislandfestival.org
MojoFest
Oct. 5
The Church Studio, Tulsa
tulsadaycenter.org
Fiesta de las Americas
Oct. 5
Historic Capitol Hill, OKC
historiccapitolhill.com
Oklahoma Czech Festival
Oct. 5
Main Street, Yukon
czechfestivaloklahoma.com
Idabel Fall Festival
Oct. 5
Downtown
visitmccurtaincounty.com
Tulsa American Film Festival
Oct. 9-13
Kendall-Whittier Main Street
tulsaamericanfilmfest.com
Pelican Festival
Oct. 10-13
Wolf Creek Park, Grove
pelicanfestok.com
Watonga Cheese Festival
Oct. 11-12
Downtown
thewatongacheesefestival.wordpress.com
Owasso Harvest Festival
Oct. 12
Redbud Festival Park
cityofowasso.com
Boo on Bell Fall Festival
Oct. 17-19
Main Street and Bell Avenue, Shawnee
visitshawnee.com
Linde Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-20
River West Festival Park, Tulsa
tulsaoktoberfest.org
Poteau Balloon Fest
Oct. 18-19
LeFlore County Fair Grounds, Poteau
poteauchamber.com
Robbers Cave Fall Festival
Oct. 18-20
Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton
robberscavefallfestival.com
Talihina Fall Foliage Festival
Oct. 26
School Agriculture Barn
talihinacc.com
National Weather Festival
Oct. 26
National Weather Center, Norman
ou.edu/nwc
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Nov. 1
Living Arts of Tulsa
livingarts.org
Will Rogers Days
Nov. 1-4
Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
willrogers.com/will-rogers-days
Chamber Music Festival
Nov. 7-10
McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater
mcknightcenter.org
Beavers Bend Folk
Festival and Craft Show
Nov. 8-10
Forest Heritage Center Museum, Broken Bow
forestry.ok.gov/fhc
Chocolate Festival
Dec. 3
Frisco Avenue, Clinton
clintonok.org
Minco Honey Festival
Dec. 7
Minco High School
minco-ok.com
