Bluegrass & Chili Festival
You’ll want to make your way to downtown Pryor on Sept. 6-7 for the annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival. A perfect combination of live music, shopping, dining and family-friendly entertainment, there’s a reason this free event has remained an Oklahoma favorite for so long.
Just a few of the activities include a car show with 50 class specifications, a tractor show hosted by the Oklahoma Antique Tractor Association, a Kiddie Koral with crafts, inflatables and kid-centric activities, as well as the Junior Showcase, where singers, dancers and musicians under 21 have the chance to perform in front of enthusiastic festival crowds.
Musical guests are ample, including Edgar Loudermilk Band, Rhona Vincent, and Lonesome River Band. Last but not least, remember to venture to the chili cook-off, replete with cash prizes. The winner even advances to the World Championship Chili Cookoff in Myrtle Beach, S.C.! For more info about the festival, visit bluegrasschilifest.com. Photo courtesy Bluegrass & Chili Festival.
OKC & Tulsa State Fairs
A quintessential American experience, there’s nothing quite like a trip to the fair.
Luckily, both OKC and Tulsa are ushering back in their annual events – OKC’s Sept. 12-22 and Tulsa’s Sept. 26-Oct. 6.
The Oklahoma State Fair, dubbed one of the top state fairs in North America, has everything you could want at the OKC Fairgrounds – agricultural showcases, family entertainment, educational exhibitions and exciting competitions. Make sure you stick around for live music on the Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage or buy tickets for the Disney on Ice performances.
In Tulsa, you won’t want to miss the city’s largest family event at Expo Square, providing even more educational experiences plus carnival rides, delicious food and world-class entertainment. For more information, visit okstatefair.com and tulsastatefair.com.
Tulsa Greek Festival
Never forget, always remember, Tulsa Greek Fest’s the third week of September! Running Sept. 19-21, the Tulsa Greek Festival is your go-to celebration for all things Greek; in fact, you’ll find yourself transported to Santorini at the this annual affair, happening at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Foodies, rejoice – the amount of delicious goodies you can try at this celebration are vast. Enjoy lamb, spanakopita (savory spinach pie), gyros, calamari, baklava and other delicacies like finikia (spiced cookies), kourambiedes (shortbread biscuits) and koulourakia (butter pastries).
You can also take your time exploring the market, perusing the local wares, jewelry, imported foods and other must-sees available for purchase.
Events range from a Toga Run to a 5K, church tours and wine tastings. Lastly, the live music and dancing at the Tulsa Greek Festival are a can’t-miss. You can tap your toes to the beat or jump up and dance yourself! For more information, visit tulsagreekfestival.com.
Oklahoma Heritage Farm Fall Festival
As the leaves turn and everything gets a little cooler, it’s time for one thing: the Oklahoma Heritage Farm Fall Festival, happening Sept. 28-Nov. 3 at Ramona’s Oklahoma Heritage Farm. Enjoy all this family-owned, fully functioning farm has to offer – which includes dozens of activities for kids and kids at heart.
Firstly, try your hand at pumpkin slingshots, which are just as fun as they sound. Venture to the paintball arcade if you dare, or try the more relaxing rock painting events. You can also explore the 11-acre maze or the pumpkin decorating tent for extra entertainment.
Other family friendly events include hayrides, train rides, Western reenactments, a petting zoo, duck races, photo booths, giant slides, giant checkers and ring tosses. In short, you and the kiddos will never get bored! For more information about the festival, visit okheritagefarm.com.
Broken Arrow Rose Festival & Chalk It Up Arts Festival
Free, wholesome fun is the name of the game at this combined festival extravaganza – the Broken Arrow Rose Festival and Chalk It Up Arts Festival, happening Sept. 27-29.
Named by USA Today as one of the 50 Most Charming Main Streets in America, Broken Arrow’s Rose District welcomes you for art competitions, educational programming, a Kid Zone, street performers, stilt-walkers, arts and crafts booths, dazzling light shows and wares for sale by talented local artists.
On Sunday, venture to Nienhuis Park for the Rose Kites Over Broken Arrow event. There, the Tulsa Wind Riders Kite Club will fly its kites, have a candy drop and even demonstrate kite fighting. All events are free to the public. Read more at keepbabeautiful.org/rose-festival.
Oklahoma Regatta Festival
The Oklahoma City University Head of the Oklahoma Regatta celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – and there’s so much to enjoy.
Described as a “three-day celebration of rowing, kayaking, dragon boating, whitewater rafting and family fun,” the festival runs Oct. 4 through 6 at RiverSport OKC.
The festival includes a variety of water-based competitions you won’t want to miss. On night one, enjoy NightSprints competitions as well as RiverSport rowing and dragon boat league championships, followed by a fireworks finale. Saturday welcomes similar activities, while Sunday ushers in ‘Paddlemania’ – a non-competitive event and competition open to rowers and paddlers of all skill levels.
Excellent for spectating, the Oklahoma Regatta Festival also welcomes live entertainment, food trucks and other events to enjoy from the peaceful expanse of dry land. For more information, visit riversportokc.org.
Rock Island Arts Festival
Chickasha’s Rock Island Depot hosts the annual Rock Island Arts Festival, running from Sept. 27-28.
Art is the main draw at this event, with creative displays and art-based activities to enjoy. Peruse works from local vendors ranging from photography to jewelry, sculptures, paintings, wood crafts and everything in between.
Get a tattoo in the henna tent, or visit the wine and beer garden for adult beverages. You can also jam out with local musicians, including Moe Mitchell, the Papa T Project, and Solemn Road. Local food trucks will be on hand to satisfy any craving – from kettle corn to hot dogs, bundt cakes and beef jerky. For more information, visit rockislandartsfestival.org.
Tulsa Oktoberfest
You know it, you love it, you visit every year: It’s Tulsa Oktoberfest!
This year marks the celebration’s 45th anniversary – and leadership isn’t taking that milestone lightly. Annual beloved events return, of course – ranging from bier barrel racing to stein hosting, dachshund races, live music and kid’s events. You’ll also enjoy the Huge Zelts (tents) with an array of entertainment and cuisine offerings – including 200+ different biers and any German delicacy you can think of.
Carnival rides are on hand for those looking for a little bit more adrenaline, alongside arts, crafts, games and competitions for the daring among you. Bring the kiddos on Zeeco Family Free Day, Friday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Modeled after the Oktoberfest Munich in Bavaria, Germany, Tulsa Oktoberfest flies in authentic bands from Germany, and the event was named a top five Oktoberfest by USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler Magazine and Orbitz. The event runs Oct. 17-20 at River West Festival Park; get your tickets at tulsaoktoberfest.org.
Route 66 Christmas Chute
It’s never too early to get excited about the holidays, right? Right!
Preparations are already well underway for the exciting return of the Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa.
There, you can enjoy 32,000 square feet of walkable holiday decor – you’ll be gliding under canopies filled with gorgeous Christmas decorations and ornaments, all following one of ten ultra-festive themes.
This heartwarming holiday experience comes replete with plenty of food and drink, local goodies, entertainment and more – all perfect to get you in the holiday spirit. New in 2024 will be the Merry Market, a wonderland of local vendors selling holiday-centric and day-to-day wares.
The Christmas Chute runs Nov. 14-Dec. 29. Visit route66christmaschute.com for more information.
Red Earth Fallfest
You can celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day and the many contributions Native Americans have made to our state at the annual Red Earth Fallfest, happening Oct. 19 at Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown OKC.
There, you can witness an exciting parade with a variety of Oklahoma-based tribes dressed in their authentic regalia. Stick around for a stunning arts and crafts market where you can pick up a variety of wares. Don’t forget to stick around and spectate during the thrilling youth powwow event.
All outdoors on the gorgeous Myriad lawns, the festival encourages visitors to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic to enjoy the day of free, family-friendly activities.
For more information on the celebration, visit redearth.org.
Additional Events
Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival
Through Sept. 1
Tvshka Homma Tribal Grounds, Tuskahoma
choctawnation.com
Dusk ‘Til Dawn Blues Festival
Through Sept. 1
OK Blues Hall of Fame, Rentiesville
dcminnerblues.com
Cherokee National Holiday
Through Sept. 1
Various locations, Tahlequah
thecherokeeholiday.com
Bluegrass and Chili Festival
Sept. 6-7
Downtown Wagoner
bluegrasschilifest.com
Coweta Fall Festival
Sept. 12-14
Hwy. 72 & Chestnut St., Coweta
Skiatook Pioneer Day Festival
Sept. 12-14
Skiatook Central Park
Oklahoma State Fair
Sept. 12-22
Oklahoma State Fair Park, OKC
Scotfest
Sept. 13-15
Central Park, Broken Arrow
Wine & Art Festival
Sept. 14
150 N. Front St., Eufaula
Los Festivales y Mercados:
Día de Independencia de México
Sept. 14
1 S. Lewis Ave., Tulsa
Fright Fest
Sept. 14-Oct. 27
Frontier City, OKC
Tulsa Greek Festival
Sept. 19-21
1222 S. Guthrie, Tulsa
McNellie’s Harvest Beer Festival
Sept. 21
Drillers Stadium Concourse, Tulsa
World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off
Sept. 21
Will Rogers Rodeo Arena, Vinita
Grape Stomp Festival
Sept. 22
Canadian River Winery, Lexington
India Food & Arts Festival
Sept. 22
Scissortail Park, OKC
Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd’s Cross
Sept. 24-Nov. 9
Shepherd’s Cross, Claremore
shepherdscross.com/pumpkin-festival.html
Tallgrass Music Festival
Sept. 26-28
2967 W. 133rd St. N., Skiatook
Tulsa State Fair
Sept. 26-Oct. 6
Expo Square, Tulsa
Chalk It Up! An Art Festival
Sept. 27-28
Broken Arrow Rose District
artsok.org/chalkitup
Rock Island Arts Festival
Sept. 27-28
Rock Island Depot, Chickasha
Fin and Feather Fall Festival
Sept. 27-29
Fin and Feather Resort, Gore
International Festival
Sept. 27-29
Elmer Thomas Park, Lawton
Broken Arrow Rose Festival
Sept. 27-29
302 S. Main St., Broken Arrow
Okeene Germanfest
Sept. 28
101 N. Main St., Okeene
Plaza District Festival
Sept. 28
Plaza District, OKC
Fiestas de las Americas
Sept. 28
Calle Dos Cinco, OKC
historiccapitolhill.com/fiestas-de-las-americas
Oklahoma Heritage Farm Fall Festival
Sept. 28 to Nov. 3
38512 U.S. Hwy 75, Ramona
Mesta Festa
Sept. 29
Perle Mesta Park, OKC
Pelican Festival
Oct. 3-6
Wolf Creek Park, Grove
Asian District Night Market Festival
Oct. 4-5
Military Park, OKC
Oklahoma Regatta Festival
Oct. 4-6
Riversport OKC
Hydro Harvest Festival
Oct. 5
Main Street, Hydro
facebook.com/hydroharvestfestival
Holdenville Fall Festival & Car Show
Oct. 5
E. Main St., Holdenville
Oklahoma Czech Festival
Oct. 5
Main Street, Yukon
Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 10-12
Cottonwood Flats, Guthrie
Red Brick Road Film Festival
Oct. 10-13
Downtown, Paulls Valley
Watonga Cheese and Wine Festival
Oct. 11-12
Downtown Watonga
Oklahoma Highland Gathering
Oct. 11-13
Choctaw Creek Park, Choctaw
Chisholm Trail Festival
Oct. 12
Mollie Spencer Farm, Yukon
Indigenous Peoples Day
Oct. 14
First Americans Museum, OKC
Tulsa Oktoberfest
Oct. 17-20
River West Festival Park, Tulsa
Poteau Balloon Festival
Oct. 18-19
LeFlore County Fairgrounds, Poteau
Arcadia Route 66 Neonfest
Oct. 18-20
13100 E. Old Hwy. 66, Arcadia
Red Earth Parade and FallFest Powwow
Oct. 19
Myriad Botanical Gardens, OKC
Guthrie Wine Festival
Oct. 19
108 N. Wentz St., Guthrie
Kendall Whittier Art Festival
Oct. 19
Kendall Whittier Art Festival, Tulsa
Route 66 Pecan & Music Festival
Oct. 26-27
The Nut House, Claremore
Will Rogers Motion Picture Festival
Oct. 30-Nov. 2
Will Rogers Memorial Museum, Claremore
Boo on the Bricks
Oct. 31
Downtown Pauls Valley
Made in Oklahoma Handmade Christmas Fest
Nov. 1-2
Will Rogers Downs Event Center, Claremore
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Nov. 1
Living Arts of Tulsa
Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show
Nov. 8-10
Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow
Chickasha Festival of Light
Nov. 23-Dec. 31
2400 S. Ninth St., Chickasha
Route 66 Christmas Chute
Nov. 14-Dec. 29
101 E. Dewey Ave., Sapulpa
