Fall Festival Preview

Dia de los Muertos Festival

Nov. 4
Tulsa Arts District 

Dia de los Muertos – or the Day of the Dead – is a holiday that originated in Mexico to honor deceased family members. Groups often build altars for their lost loved ones, enjoy their favorite meals and use calaveras (decorative skulls). 

In Tulsa, you can celebrate the holiday downtown on Nov. 4 as Living Arts hosts its annual Dia de los Muertos Festival. 

Offerings include authentic live music, delicious eats, face painting and sugar skull decorating. You can also observe Mexican dancing demonstrations and peruse the artists open market. 

For more information, visit livingarts.org. 

Fin and Feather Fall Festival

Sept. 23-25
Fin and Feather Resort, Gore

A perfect stop for the whole family, the Fin and Feather Fall Festival has everything you need to usher in autumn.

Touted as an arts and crafts festival, the event welcomes 170 arts and crafts vendors, plus boutiques and out-of-state booths, too.

Snag homemade items like quilts, toys, home decor and candles, as well as lodging available on-site at the Fin and Feather Resort, plus delicious eats and drinks, too. For more information, visit finandfeatherresort.com. 

Tulsa Oktoberfest 

River West Festival Park
Oct. 20-23

Celebrating Bavarian culture, Tulsa Oktoberfest transports you to Germany for six days of non-stop entertainment.

Offerings include authentic German bands, Bavarian delicacies, arts and crafts, and of course, lots and lots of beer – over 200 taps, to be specific.

Can’t-miss food choices include Bavarian cheesecake and strudel, wiener schnitzel and brats. Stick around for eleven entertainment stages, keg bowling, stein hoisting competitions, and plenty of carnival rides and games for kids and kids at heart. 

Named a Top Five Oktoberfest by USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and Orbitz, Oktoberfest is one of the city’s most anticipated events. Don’t miss it! Visit tulsaoktoberfest.org for more info. 

Edmond International Festival

Edmond Festival Market Place
Nov. 5

At the Edmond International Festival, you’ll enjoy a cultural experience established in 1975. 

Begun at the University of Central Oklahoma as a way to honor the school’s international community, this burgeoning event showcases a variety of cultures from around the world via display booths, live performances and everyone’s favorite – delicious eats!

Family-friendly and free to attend, Edmond International Festival is a great way to expand your horizons and learn about the world. Visit uco.edu for more information. 

Tulsa Greek Festival

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Sept. 22-24

Oklahoma becomes “Opa!homa” for one weekend this fall at the Tulsa Greek Festival. 

Live performances are a major draw this year, with dancing, music and traditional garb to make you feel like you’re smack dab in  Santorini. 

Cuisine offerings are vast and present the best of Greek eats – like lamb dinners, baklava and gyros, among others. 

Cocktails, music and tours of the church are other must-dos, as well as the VIP Santorini Night on Sept. 17. Visit tulsagreekfestival.com for more information. 

Oklahoma Regatta Festival

Sept. 30-Oct. 2
Riversport OKC

Row, row, row your boat to the Oklahoma River to celebrate the anticipated Oklahoma Regatta Festival, hosted by Riversport OKC.

Rowers will take to the waters in a variety of competitions, including the Corporate Rowing and Dragon Boat League championships, with collegiate, masters and junior racers. Stick around for the Youth Kayaking Race, as well as the OGE NightSprings, on Saturday.

After each day of competitions, enjoy fireworks finales, as well as all-day food and drink sales onsite.

For more information, visit riversportokc.org. 

Chamber Music Festival

Nov. 3-6
McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater 

The highly anticipated Chamber Music Festival at Stillwater’s McKnight Center presents three days of performances from some of the best chamber musicians in the world. 

The fun kicks off Nov. 3 during a soirée musical evening offering cocktails, an intimate concert and dinner with the musicians themselves. Stick around for musical programs on Friday and Sunday, including performances of works from Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Franz Schubert, Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Antonín Dvořák.

For tickets and more information, visit mcknightcenter.org. 

Poteau Balloon Festival 

Oct. 14-15
LeFlore County Fairgrounds, Poteau 

Celebrate and enjoy fall foliage and beautiful views at the annual Poteau Balloon Fest.

Guests can take to the skies as hot air balloons soar  – with the beautiful backdrop of mountains and fall colors for the perfect tableau. Sign up for a tethered balloon ride if you’re an adventure lover. 

For those who prefer to hang out on solid ground, the event also offers musical entertainment, carnival rides and scrumptious eats. Learn more at poteauchamber.com.

 

Oklahoma Czech Festival 

Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Oklahoma Czech, Inc. Building, Yukon 

The Oklahoma Czech Festival honors the town of Yukon and its rich Czech heritage.  Festivities begin Friday evening with a carnival in downtown Yukon, and the fun re-starts Saturday morning with a rousing parade. 

Stick around for authentic polka bands and traditional Czech and Slovak folk dance performances. You can also sample Czech foods like kolache and klobasy sausages to keep spirits high.

Mosey around the arts and crafts booths for goodies, and view the coronation of the 2022 Oklahoma Czech Royalty on Saturday evening.

For more information, visit czechfestivaloklahoma.com. 

Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd’s Cross 

Sept. 20-Nov. 5
Shepherd’s Cross, Claremore

Usher in the joys of fall at the Pumpkin Festival at Claremore’s Shepherd’s Cross. 

Activities abound for children and adults alike at this authentic working farm, including pumpkin patches, hayrides and even educational offerings. Guests can also take home straw bales and corn stalks for fall decorating, walk through the hay maze, create a scarecrow and visit the animals in the petting zoo.

Other indoor and outdoor activities and must-sees include the wool mill, baby chick hatching station, gunny sack races and horseshoes. For more information, visit shepherdscross.com.