20+ September festivals, fairs and outdoor events happening across Oklahoma
The frantic days of fall have arrived in the Sooner State.
The forecast of kinder, gentler weather has Oklahomans across the state eager to enjoy as many festivals, fairs and outdoor events as possible. Cultural celebrations, music festivals, Native American gatherings and more are planned across Oklahoma throughout autumn.
Since it feels like fall, y'all, here are more than 20 seasonal events coming to the Sooner State in September:
India Food & Arts Festival, Oklahoma City
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 10.
Where: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events.
The free event for families hosted by India Association Of Oklahoma will include authentic Indian food from all different regions of India along with dance performances, live music, a fashion show and traditional Indian arts and crafts.
Born & Raised Music Festival, Pryor
When: Sept. 14-16, with a pre-party on Sept. 13.
Where: Pryor Creek Music Festival Grounds, 1421 W 450 Road, off U.S. 69 north of Pryor.
Information: https://bornandraisedfestival.com.
The third annual event will feature country and Red Dirt music from more than 40 acts, including Turnpike Troubadours, Whiskey Myers, Gary Allan, Ryan Bingham, Randy Rogers Band, Kaitlin Butts, Flatland Cavalry, Cody Canada & The Departed, Read Southall Band, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Jamie Lin Wilson and Stoney LaRue.
Oklahoma State Fair
When: Sept. 14-24.
Where: OKC Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.
Information: https://okstatefair.com.
The venerable entertainment bonanza this year will showcase "Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto," the new rodeo event Hoof & Horns Spectacular, carnival rides, midway games and an array of concerts, exhibits and attractions.
Oklahoma City Fiestas Patrias Festival
When: 2 to 10 p.m. Sept. 17.
Where: Oklahoma City Community College, 7777 S May Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/OTripleC/events.
One of the largest celebrations of Hispanic culture in Oklahoma features food, live music, folkloric dancing, children's activities and the crowning of Miss Fiestas Patrias. The event is free to attend, with paid parking on site.
44th Annual International Festival, Lawton
When: Sept. 22-24.
Where: Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris Ave., Lawton.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/LawtonInternationalFestival.
The free family-friendly event features live entertainment, food, children’s activities and games. This year's headliners include the 77th Army Band, Mariachi Las Alteñas, Beyond the Pale and more.
Pioneer Days at Har-Ber Village, Gore
When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sept. 22-24.
Where: Har-Ber Village, 4404 W 20, Gore.
Information: https://har-bervillage.com/pioneer-days.
The immersive historical area on the shores of Grand Lake O’ The Cherokees will offer period music, hands-on activities, living history demonstrations and heritage craftspeople performing the arts of blacksmithing, tinsmithing, basket weaving and more.
Touch A Truck, Norman
When: 9 to noon Sept. 23, with a quiet hour from 9 to 10 a.m.
Where: Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E Robinson, Norman.
Information: https://plsfdn.org/help-support-touch-a-truck.
The Pioneer Library System and Pioneer Library System Foundation's yearly event lets children get up-close and hands-on with cranes, helicopters, fire engines, garbage trucks, construction vehicles and more. The event is free, with a donation is $2 per person suggested. Proceeds benefit children's literacy and STEAM programming in Pioneer’s six Cleveland County branches.
Uptown Outside, OKC
When: 4 p.m. Sept. 23.
Where: Historic Uptown 23rd District, NW 23 and N Walker Avenue.
Information: https://uptown23rd.com/uptownoutside.
The free block party will feature live music by New York-based rock-fusion band TAUK, with South Carolina vocalist Kanika Moore; Argentinean and Latin American rock band Bandalos Chinos, from Buenos Aires; contemporary art-pop project Estereomance, from El Paso, Texas; and more.
Okeene Germanfest
When: All day Sept. 23.
Where: 101 N Main, Okeene.
Information: https://www.okeenegermanfest.com.
The festival includes a 5K, fun run, cornhole tournament, axe-throwing, historic tours, live music, dancing and a full menu of delicacies like schnitzel, bratwurst, cherry mousse and a variety of German beers. Admission is $5 or free for people ages 21 and younger or dressed in traditional German garb.
Fall Festival at Orr Family Farm, OKC
When: Sept. 23-Nov. 11.
Where: Orr Family Farm, 14400 S Western Ave.
Information: https://www.orrfamilyfarm.com/fall.
The popular family-friendly destination is especially festive in fall, when it offers more than 25 attractions, including a pumpkin patch, train rides, pedal cars, tube slides, pony rides, carousel and hayrides.
28th Annual Mesta Festa, OKC
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 24.
Where: Perle Mesta Park, 1900 N Shartel Ave.
Information: https://www.mestapark.org/mesta-festa-2023.
The free, kid-friendly event features live music, sand volleyball, local artists and pop-up vendor booths. Adults of age can buy $25 wristbands for unlimited beer garden brewery samples.
Illinois River Jam, Tahlequah
When: Sept. 28-30.
Where: Peyton’s Place, 10298 State Highway 10, Tahlequah.
Information: http://www.illinoisriverjam.com.
Event organizer Travis Linville and fellow singer-songwriters Carter Sampson, Ramsay Midwood, Mike Hosty, Camille Harp and more will perform at the annual camping and music gathering.
Oklahoma Regatta Festival, OKC
When: Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
Where: Boathouse District, 800 Riversport Drive.
Information: https://www.riversportokc.org.
The 19th annual festival will feature live rowing and dragonboat races on the Oklahoma River. Plus, this year's event will culminate Oct. 1 in the new event Paddlemania, in which the public is invited to enter or watch whitewater competitions like Build Your Own Boat, Extreme Kayak/Kayak Cross and the Battle of the Paddles.
Rock Island Arts Festival, Chickasha
When: Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
Where: Rock Island Depot, 100 Chickasha Ave., Chickasha.
Information: https://www.rockislandartsfestival.org.
The 15th annual event will include arts and crafts booths, live music, food trucks, beer and wine tastings, children's activities and art demonstrations.
ZOObrew, OKC
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29.
Where: Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place.
Information: https://www.okczoo.org.
Oklahoma’s largest outdoor beer-tasting festival marks its 15th anniversary, and attendees, who must be 21 or older, will get an exclusive look at the OKC Zoo’s newest habitat expansion, Expedition Africa.
OktoberWest, OKC
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29.
Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.
Information: https://nationalcowboymuseum.org.
People ages 21 and older can partake in a Western take on the favorite German tradition, with food, drinks and entertainment in the museum's outdoor plaza. Proceeds support the museum’s educational programming.
Standing Bear Powwow, Ponca City
When: Sept. 29-30.
Where: Standing Bear Park, 601 Standing Bear Parkway, Ponca City.
Information: https://www.standingbearpark.com/powwow-calendar.html.
Hosted by six northern Oklahoma tribes, the 30th anniversary event includes intertribal dancing, princess contests, gourd dancing and more.
Chickasaw Nation Annual Meeting & Festival, Tishomingo
When: Sept. 29-Oct. 7.
Where: Various venues in Tishomingo and the surrounding area.
Information: https://annualmeeting.chickasaw.net.
The festivities include a parade, sports tournaments, stickball demonstrations, film screenings, children's activities, cultural demonstrations, the Southeastern Art Show and Market and more.
OKC Fiestas de las Américas Parade & Street Festival
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 30.
Where: Calle Dos Cinco in Historic Capitol Hill, SW 25 and Harvey Avenue.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/fiestasdelasamericas.
Scheduled in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month, the festival includes an artisan market, food trucks, children's area, Travel the Americas Experience, live entertainment and more.
Plaza District Festival and Plaza Walls Mural Expo, OKC
When: Noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 30.
Where: Plaza District, 1745 NW 16.
Information: https://plazadistrict.org.
A free, family-friendly event, the 24th annual festival will feature live music on three stages, an artist market, food trucks and a free kids area. Plus, artists will create 36 new murals live during the expo.
Monarch Festival, Yukon
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 30.
Where: Mollie Spencer Farm, 1001 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon.
Information: https://molliespencerfarm.org/events.
The second annual family-friendly event will feature butterfly-related crafts for children, a seed ball-making station, face painting and local gardening experts on the 33-acre property and historic homestead, which is not open to the public outside special events.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fall events and things to do in Oklahoma for September 2023
