Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events

Oklahoma City and its surrounding cities and towns have a lot going on during the year. Jan, Feb, and Mar see a lot of events preparing people for summer. From Apr through Aug, festivals and marathons are highlighted, along with our nation’s independence celebrations. In Sept, the Oklahoma State Fair takes center stage along with a few fall festivals. Oct is full of events for those interested in celebrating on the scary side. Nov and Dec are about all things Christmas.

Listed in this chapter are some events just for children and some just for adults. Most however, incorporate children’s events into the celebration so children will have as much fun as their parents.

About half the events charge admission; those that do are noted. Parking at most events in the suburbs and along the fringes of Oklahoma City is free, however, if the event is taking place downtown, be prepared to pay to park.

Weather is always a consideration in this area. In the winter months, ice and snow may cause an event to be postponed or canceled. If the highway patrol is urging everyone to stay off the roads, it might be wise to stay home. In the spring, visitors need to be prepared for sudden downpours and the possibility of severe weather. Take an umbrella and a raincoat and keep an eye on the sky. If you are attending an event in the middle of summer and it is outdoors, keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing when you attend these events. In the winter, dress in layers. In the spring and fall it is a good idea to carry a sweater or a light jacket. Dressing in layers is also a good idea because so you can shed clothing if you become too hot. In summer, wear light clothing and a hat to shield you from the sun.

Although most of the events listed here have been held in the same location for years, event locations do change from time to time. Always call and confirm the event’s location before you go.

Good sources of information for events not listed here are the Oklahoma City Convention and Tourism Bureau (405-297-8912; www.okccvb.org), Downtown OKC (405-235-3500; www.downtownokc.com), Oklahoma State Tourism and Recreation (800-654-8240; www.touroklahoma.com), and the City of Oklahoma City (www.okc.gov, click on “Things To Do”).