30+ summer festivals across Oklahoma where you can celebrate music, movies, food and more
Oklahomans come up with plenty of reasons to party through summer, with festivals of all kinds planned statewide
Some festivals mark one of the season's many holidays — from Juneteenth and Pride Month to Father's Day and Fourth of July — while others commemorate local histories, foods and traditions.
Multiple music fests, film fests and hot air balloon fests are on the calendar, along with more unusual events centering on Bigfoot, handfishing and mud.
Here are 30-plus festivals happening across the Sooner State in June, July and August:
Tulsa Juneteenth Festival
When and where: June 13-15, Greenwood Historic District, Tulsa.
Information: https://www.tulsajuneteenth.org.
America's newest national holiday, Juneteenth, is a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. The Tulsa celebration includes a block party, 5K race and one-mile fun run, family field day live performances and an outdoor screening of the film "Riding Legacy."
Juneteenth on the East Festival
When and where: June 13-16, NE 23 Street between N Kelham Avenue and N Hood Street, Oklahoma City.
Information: https://www.withloveokc.org/juneteenth.
The fourth annual free, family-friendly event on OKC's historically and still predominantly Black East Side will include a local youth marching band, dance performances, children's art activities, vendor fairs, local foods, a 5K fun run, Black creativity panel discussion, Sunday brunch and a slate of musical performances, headlined by Grammy-nominated rapper Bas and R&B legend Goapele.
![The King Cabbage Brass Band from Tulsa plays during the Gay Pride Parade on June 4, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Okla. [Steve Sisney/For The Oklahoman]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/J5T9ZCf_HL_nXoUnhnqZxA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc0NA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-oklahoman/42d24c0f632671f2fa814e85540635aa)
41st annual Jazz in June, Norman
When and where: June 13-15, Andrews Park, Norman.
Information: https://www.jazzinjune.org.
The free three-day festival includes outdoor performances by Paul Benjaman and Brandon Goldberg; King Cabbage Brass Band and Sungazer; Summer Jazz Collective (featuring Vincent Herring, James Carter, Randy Brecker and Adam Neely) and Something Else!, along with afternoon workshops at Norman Library West, 300 Norman Center Court.
Rawk the River Music Festival, Tahlequah
When and where: June 13-16, Sparrowhawk Campgrounds. Tahlequah.
Information: https://rawktheriverfest.com.
The second annual fest on the Illinois River will include live music from Texas Hippie Coalition, Scotty Austin of Saving Abel, REHAB, City of the Weak and more.
Okie Noodling Tournament & Festival, Pauls Valley
When and where: 5 p.m. June 14 and 10 a.m. June 15, Wacker Park, Pauls Valley.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/okienoodlingfest.
The far-famed event on June 15 will include a handfishing demonstration, kids catfish eating contest, inflatables, food trucks, live music from Ray and the High Rollers and William Clark Green and the world’s largest noodling contest. The June 14 Okie Noodling Eve Concert will feature Grant Gilbert, Catie Offerman and Michael Ray.
Bigfoot/UFO Festival, Heavener
When and where: Noon to 10 p.m. June 15, Heavener Runestone Park, Heavener.
Information: https://www.heavenerrunestonepark.com/bigfoot-ufo-festival.
The inaugural event will include a howling contest, alien duck hunt, craft vendor market, bounce house, food trucks, UFO watch party, campfire story time and speakers from the Native Oklahoma Bigfoot Research Organization.
Route 66 Blue Hippo Festival, Edmond
When and where: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 15, Edmond History Museum and Stephenson Park.
Information: https://www.edmondhistory.org/event/blue-hippo-festival.
The free event is themed around Edmond's whimsical novelty attraction the Blue Hippo, with family-friendly activities including Hungry, Hungry Hippo battles, live blues and bluegrass music and a classic car show spotlighting blue cars.
Father's Day Fest
When and where: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16, Scissortail Park, downtown OKC.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events/family-builders-fathers-day-fest.
The fifth annual free community festival will include inflatables, games, activities, food trucks, live entertainment and free face painting for children.
Brightmusic Summer Music Festival
When and where: 7:30 p.m. June 17, 18, 20 and 4:30 p.m. June 23, First Baptist Church of OKC.
Information: https://www.brightmusic.org.
The OKC chamber ensemble has adopted the theme “The Art of Creation” for this year's festival, which will feature premieres of four new commissioned works by young composers studying in Oklahoma, alongside works from beloved composers like Bach, Ravel, Debussy and more.
Muscogee Nation Festival, Okmulgee
When and where: June 20-23, Claude Cox Omniplex, Okmulgee.
Information: https://muscogeenationfestival.com.
The free celebration boasts cultural exhibitions, sports tournaments, concerts, arts and crafts, carnival rides, a parade and more.
Soonercon, Norman
When and where: June 21-23, Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, Norman.
Information: https://soonercon.com.
The all-ages pop culture convention will showcase celebrity guests, "Star Wars"-theme activities; "Fortnite," Irish and K-Pop dancing; Nerf battles, superhero school, a costume contest and more.
Mud Fest
When and where: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m June 22, Lower Park, Scissortail Park, downtown OKC.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events/mud-fest.
Attendees can celebrate International Mud Day by making mud pies, taking a mud bath and getting delightfully dirty. A clean-up station will be available, but participants are encouraged to wear clothes they don't mind getting grubby.
Stars & Stripes River Festival
When and where: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 22, Boathouse District, downtown OKC.
Information: https://www.riversportokc.org/events/stars-stripes-river-festival.
A full day of rafting, rowing, kayaking, dragon boat racing and more culminates in fireworks.
50th Annual Green Corn Festival, Bixby
When and where: June 27-29, Charley Young Park, Bixby.
Information: https://bixbyoptimist.com/events/green-corn-festival.
The community celebration emphasizes old-fashioned family fun like a carnival, food and craft booths, live music, games, contests and a talent show.
LibertyFest, Edmond
When and where: June 27-July 4, various Edmond venues.
Information: https://www.libertyfest.org.
The Independence Day extravaganza includes an outdoor concert, rodeo, car show, patriotic radio show, parade and what's billed as the metro area's largest fireworks display.
Oklahoma Pride Alliance's PrideFest
When and where: June 28-30, Scissortail Park, downtown OKC.
Information: https://www.okpridealliance.org/pridefest.
The downtown OKC Pride festivities include a march, parade and live music by headliner Big Freedia and featured artists Naomi Smalls and Shaun Ross.
Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, Okemah
When and where: July 10-14, various Okemah venues.
Information: https://www.woodyfest.com.
The 27th annual WoodyFest annually takes place on and around its namesake folk icon's July 14 birthday in his hometown. Musicians who will be performing this year include Monica Taylor, Joel Rafael, Ellis Paul, Annie Guthrie, James McMurtry, David Amram, Jamie Lin Wilson, Jaimee Harris, Opal Agafia, John Fullbright, Red Dirt Rangers, Serena Guthrie, Ken Pomeroy and more.
Circle Cinema Film Festival, Tulsa
When and where: July 11-15, Circle Cinema, Tulsa
Information: https://www.circlecinema.org/ccff.
Since debuting in 2018 as part of the nonprofit movie theater's 90th birthday celebration, the fest annually draws more than 2,400 cinephiles.
McLoud BlackBerry Festival
When and where: July 12-13, Veterans Memorial Park, McLoud.
Information: https://mcloudchamber.com/blackberry-festival.html.
One of the oldest continual festivals in the state, the Pottawatomie County event promises a bumper crop of activities like a parade, car show, live entertainment, pageant, children's games, the Cobbler Gobbler eating contest and fresh blackberries by the quart.
FLY Film Festival, Enid
When and where: Aug. 2-4, Gaslight Theatre, Enid.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/flyfilmfestival.
The Garfield County event will mark its 10th anniversary as a showcase for independent short films, features and documentaries, especially those made in Oklahoma.
United Way BBQ Showdown, Ardmore
When and where: Aug. 2-3, Ardmore Regional Park.
Information: https://www.uwsco.org.
Hosted by the Valero Ardmore Refinery, the 11th annual fundraising festival will serve up a feast of barbecue and Cajun food, live music, children's activities and more. The two-day event in 2023 raised more than $375,000 for the United Way of South Central Oklahoma.
Okmulgee Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo & Festival
When and where: Aug. 9-10, Bob Arrington Rodeo Arena, Okmulgee.
Information: Search "Okmulgee Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo" on Facebook.
Also known as the Okmulgee Black Rodeo, the event is one of the nation's oldest African American rodeos, one of Oklahoma's longest running rodeos and one of the largest African American sporting events in the country.
FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival, Shawnee
When and where: Aug. 9-10, Raymond Peltier Park, Shawnee.
Information: https://www.firelakeballoonfest.com.
Hosted by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the free fest will feature food vendors, a drone show, Kids' Zone, 5K and fun run and live music by Levi Platero, Adam Aguilar and headliner Cam Allen. But the main draw for the two-day event will be the hot air balloons, which will be spotlighted during the morning balloon launches and the evening tethered balloon rides and balloon glows, weather permitting.
Rush Springs Watermelon Festival & Rodeo
When and where: Aug. 10, Jeff Davis Park, Rush Springs.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/rushspringswatermelonfestival.
On the second Saturday of every August, the Grady County community celebrates its local crop of the state vegetable (no, really) by serving up 50,000 pounds of watermelon, along with a seed-spitting contest, arts and crafts fair, rodeo action, carnival rides and more.
Pakistan Day
When and where: Aug. 10, OKC Convention Center
Information: https://www.appnaok.org/appnaok-events.
The event willl showcase the traditional dances, cuisine, music and other aspects of Pakistani culture.
Freedom Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion
When and where: Aug. 15-17, Rhodes Park, Freedom.
Information: https://freedomrodeo.com.
Since 1938, this event has showcased rodeo action, a free chuck wagon-style dinner, live music and more on the third weekend in August on the Cimarron River.
Oklahoma Festival of Ballooning, Muskogee
When and where: Aug. 23-24, Hatbox Field, Muskogee.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/OkieBalloonFest.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to experience the tethered balloon rides, balloon glows, inflatables, helicopter rides, food trucks and more.
Maker Faire Tulsa
When and where: Aug. 24, Tulsa Expo Square.
Information: https://tulsa.makerfaire.com.
Billed as the "Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth," the family-friendly showcase lets artists, scientists and crafters show their hobbies, experiments and projects.
Cherokee National Holiday, Tahlequah
When and where: Aug. 30-Sept. 1, various locations, Tahlequah.
Information: https://thecherokeeholiday.com.
The 72nd annual Labor Day weekend tradition, which typically draws more than 100,000 visitors from across the country, will include an inter-tribal powwow, parade and other longtime cultural favorites.
Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival, Tuskahoma
When and where: Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Tuskahoma Capitol Grounds, Tuskahoma.
Information: https://laborday.choctawnation.com.
The long-running fest returns with cultural activities, stickball games, a princess contest, 5K run and concerts from country hitmakers Rodney Atkins and Mark Chesnutt; Christian music acts Casting Crowns, Jason Crabb and Gold City; and Choctaw acts the Joey Green Band and The Close.
Rocklahoma, Pryor
When and where: Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Rockin Red Dirt Ranch, Pryor.
Information: https://rocklahoma.com.
After a record-breaking 2023, the music and camping festival is returning with what's billed as its biggest lineup yet, including headliners Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, Disturbed, A Day To Remember, Slipknot and Lamb of God.
Henryetta Beard & Stache Competition
When and where: 11 a.m. Aug. 31, Briefcase Event Center, Henryetta.
Information: https://www.greencountryok.com/event/henryetta-labor-day-beard-%26-stache-competition/1120.
Watch guys flaunt their facial fuzz amid the excitement of the 12th Annual Smokin’ Hot Car & Bike Show.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Celebrate beards, BBQ and UFOs at these 30+ Oklahoma summer festivals
