From frights to fairs, check out these Oklahoma events where you can fall for fall
Autumn has officially arrived in Oklahoma, with festivals, fairs and outdoor events continuing through October and well into November.
Native American gatherings, harvest celebrations, spooky Halloween treats and more are planned across the Sooner State through the fall.
Here are seasonal events all across Oklahoma to look forward to in the days leading up to Thanksgiving:
Tulsa State Fair
When: Through Oct. 8.
Where: Tulsa Expo Square, 4145 E 21 St., Tulsa.
Information: https://www.tulsastatefair.com
One of the state's largest annual events includes Disney on Ice, carnival rides, agricultural attractions, live music and more.
Frontier City Fright Fest, Oklahoma City
When: Weekends through Oct. 29.
Where: Frontier City, 11501 N I-35 Service Road.
Information: https://www.sixflags.com/frontiercity/events/fright-fest-2023
The OKC theme park's long-running Halloween event includes family friendly thrills by day and an array of frights by night.
Theatre Crude Fringe Festival, OKC
When: Oct. 5-14.
Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's black-box theater, 2920 Paseo.
Information: https://www.theatrecrude.org
The fifth annual locally produced fringe festival will run 10 days and include 42 in-person performances from 16 multidisciplinary performance groups. Performers will bring disciplines such as comedy, musical theater, dance, improvisation, solo performance, opera and more.
Honobia Bigfoot Festival & Conference
When: Oct. 6-7.
Where: Kiamichi Mountain Christian Mission, 37529 Indian Trail, Honobia.
Information: https://www.honobiabigfoot.com
Celebrate all things sasquatch at the free festival, which will include food and craft vendors, children's activities, face painting, live music and storytelling around a fire.
Medicine Park Flute Festival & Art Walk
When: Oct. 6-8.
Where: Hitchin' Post Park, Medicine Park.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/MedicineParkOK
Flutists Travis Komahcheet, Calvert Nevaquaya, Tone Gyah Dae and more will perform at the 15th annual festival, where more than 30 artists from across the United States will show their work. For the second year, the event will include the Saturday Powwow in the Park.
Tulsa Artist Fellowship Open House
When: Oct. 6-8.
Where: Various Tulsa venues.
Information: https://tulsaartistfellowship.org/open-house
The inaugural open house will include a dance party, morning architecture bike tour, artist appreciation picnic at the Philbrook Museum of Art and "The Last Round Dance: A way too intimate hang with the 1491s," featuring Tulsa-based "Reservation Dogs" co-creator Sterlin Harjo and several of his cohorts from the show, at the OKPOP Museum.
Red Brick Road Film Festival, Pauls Valley
When: Oct. 6-8.
Where: Royal Theatre, 119 E Paul Ave., Pauls Valley.
Information: https://www.redbrickroadfilmfestival.com
The cinematic event includes film screenings, Q&As, a red carpet and wine walk.
Pumpkinville, OKC
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 6-22.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave., OKC.
Information: www.myriadgardens.org/pumpkinville
A fundraiser and membership drive for the Myriad Gardens Foundation, the downtown OKC tradition, which was named Best Pumpkin Patch in a 2022 USA Today poll, celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Hispanic Fiesta, OKC
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7.
Where: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7, OKC.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events
The free event will celebrate the culture of multiple Latin American countries through music, dance, food and a vendor showcase.
National Indian Taco Championship, Pawhuska
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7.
Where: Kihekah Avenue, Pawhuska.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/NITCPawhuska
Competitors from all over the country gather in the Osage County seat to see who can fry up the best Indian taco. A powwow will coincide with the tasty event.
Oklahoma Czech Festival, Yukon
When: Oct. 7.
Where: Oklahoma Czech Building, 25 N 5, Yukon.
Information: https://www.czechfestivaloklahoma.com
The 57th event will feature a parade at 10 a.m., arts and crafts booths, a carnival, polka bands, folk dance performances and traditional Czech foods, including koláče and klobasy sausages.
Haunt the Zoo for Halloween, OKC
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 7-29.
Where: Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place.
Information: www.okczoo.org/HTZ
The long-running family trick-or-treat tradition celebrates its 40th anniversary. The spooky adults-only Haunt the Zoo: All Grown Up returns from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 27.
Automobile Alley’s Art of Beer, OKC
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 8.
Where: On NW 9 Street, between Broadway and Oklahoma avenues.
Information: https://www.automobilealley.org/art-of-beer
The free event will include community mural projects, mini pumpkin painting, beer for sale from local breweries and live music by Kora Waves, Mallory Eagle and Sarafina Byrd, plus a special Factory Obscura Future of Sounds Session with Foxburrows + Red Dirt Poetry and Audio Book Club + Dance Skate 405.
Indigenous Peoples Day, OKC
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 9.
Where: First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd., OKC.
Information: https://famok.org
The celebration will include stickball games, social dances, art activities, food trucks and more. Admission is free to the event, with $5 discounted admission to the museum's galleries.
Fall Y’all, OKC
When: Oct. 11-13.
Where: Oklahoma Hall of Fame's Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 1400 Classen Dr., OKC.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/oklahomahof
Along with free museum admission, the three-day family festivities include games, art projects, crafts and storytimes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., plus extended hours 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 12.
Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival, Guthrie
When: Oct 12-14.
Where: Cottonwood Flats, Guthrie.
Information: https://www.oibf.com
The 26th annual festival will feature The Travelin’ McCourys, Jana Jae, John Fullbright, Red Dirt Rangers, Cowboy Jim Garling, Hunt Brothers Band and more.
Banjo Fest, OKC
When: Oct. 12-14.
Where: American Banjo Museum, 9 E Sheridan Ave., and surrounding OKC venues.
Information: https://americanbanjomuseum.com/banjofest2023
The annual extravaganza includes the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame inductions, jam sessions, workshops, presentations and the Bricktown Banjo Bash.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area Candlelight Tour, Sulphur
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13-14.
Where: Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur.
Information: https://www.chickasawcountry.com/events/candlelight-tour-chickasaw-national-recreation-area
More than a thousand candle luminaries will light up the trails along Flower Park, illuminating moments in time from the park’s history.
Arcadia Route 66 Neonfest
When: Oct. 13-15.
Where: Off Old Highway 66 near Arcadia.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/ArcadiaNeonFest
Get your kicks at this event, which features neon displays and campfires, a film festival and more.
Chisholm Trail Festival, Yukon
When: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14.
Where: Mollie Spencer Farm, 1001 Garth Brooks Blvd., Yukon.
Information: https://molliespencerfarm.org/events
Admission is free to this family friendy celebration of Western history, which will include living history reenactors of the Old West, Civil War demonstrations, gunfights, food vendors, craft booths, the Kids Korral, a petting zoo, train and pony rides.
Watonga Cheese Festival
When: Oct. 14.
Where: Main Street Watonga.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/watongacheesefestival
For the 46th year, the Blaine County seat will pay homage to fromage with cheese and wine tastings, craft vendors and more.
Turner Falls Red Dirt Music Festival, Davis
When: Oct. 14.
Where: Turner Falls Park, I-35 and U.S. 77, Davis.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/TurnerFallsParkOK
The inaugural fest will feature performances by Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Kylie Morgan, Cam Allen, Emily Rhyne and more.
National Weather Festival, Norman
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 14.
Where: National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd., Norman.
Information: https://www.ou.edu/nwc/nwf
The free event will include weather balloon launches, children's activities and food trucks.
Cherokee Nation Art Market, Catoosa
When: Oct. 14-15.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, 777 W Cherokee St., Catoosa.
Information: https://visitcherokeenation.com/cherokee-art-market
More than 150 top Native American artists from across the country are gathering for the 18th annual market.
Red Earth FallFest and Parade, OKC
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14.
Where: In and around Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave.
Information: https://redearth.org/pages/fallfest-2023
For the third year, OKC's venerable Red Earth Inc. is marking Indigenous Peoples Day in downtown Oklahoma City with a free event, including its beloved Red Earth Parade, a youth powwow and Native American arts market. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. at NW 6 Street and Walker Avenue, heading southbound on Walker and culminate near the Myriad Gardens, where the art market and Red Earth Youth Powwow will take place.
Poteau Balloon Fest
When: Oct. 19-21.
Where: LeFlore County Fairgrounds, 1509 S Broadway, Poteau.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/PoteauBalloonFest
Hot air balloons, tethered balloon rides, motorsports, a carnival and more are planned for the annual festival.
Tulsa Oktoberfest
When: Oct. 19-22.
Where: River West Festival Park, 2100 S Jackson Ave. Tulsa.
Information: https://tulsaoktoberfest.org
Marking its 44th year, the festival will feature local and international German bands, carnival rides, children's activities, the Dachshund Dash and, of course, Bavarian food and beer.
Robbers Cave Fall Festival, Wilburton
When: Oct. 20-22.
Where: Robbers Cave State Park, 2084 NW 146 Rd., Wilburton.
Information: http://www.robberscavefallfestival.com
The 36th annual event will include 200 arts and crafts vendors, festive food, live entertainment, amusement rides and the Oct. 21 classic car Fall Foliage Cruise. Free shuttle buses will run between downtown Wilburton and the park during the festival.
Oklahoma Highland Gathering, Choctaw
When: Oct. 20-22.
Where: Choctaw Creek Park, 2001 N Harper Road, Choctaw.
Information: https://unitedscotsok.com/festival
The United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma's three-day event will feature Highland games, pipes and drums, whisky tastings, food trucks, modern and folk bands and dancing, Highland cattle, arts and crafts demonstrations and more.
Braum's An Affair of the Heart, OKC
When: Oct. 20-22.
Where: OKC Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.
Information: https://www.aaoth.com
Get ahead on holiday shopping at the long-running arts, crafts and boutiques show, where the wares range from jewelry and furniture to clothing and gourmet foods.
Oklahoma Folklife Festival, OKC
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21.
Where: Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., OKC.
Information: https://www.okhistory.org/calendar/event/2023-oklahoma-folklife-festival
The free event will include music, dance, crafts, food and more.
Stockyards Stampede, OKC
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21.
Where: Stockyards City, OKC.
Information: https://www.stockyardscity.org/#!event-list
A parade of longhorn cattle will launch the free event, which will also feature a chuck wagon camp, live music, Kids Corral, beefed-up cooking contests, plein air painters and more.
Arcadia Lake's Storybook Forest, Edmond
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23-30.
Where: Spring Creek Park at Arcadia Lake, Edmond.
Information: http://storybookforestok.com
This annual event provides youngsters with a chance to walk a well-lit path in the woods to collect candy and visit life-size scenes from classic storybooks.
Fort Washita Ghost Tours, Durant
When: 7 to 9:15 p.m. Oct. 24-28.
Where: Fort Washita, 3348 OK-199, Durant.
Information: https://chickasawcountry.com/events/fort-washita-ghost-tours
Explore by candlelight the historic site of a military post built in 1842 to maintain peace for the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations and later occupied and largely destroyed by the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Gatesway Balloon Festival, Broken Arrow
When: Oct. 27-28.
Where: Events Park, 21101 E 101 St., Broken Arrow.
Information: https://www.gatesway.org/balloonfestival
The festivities will include hot air balloons, balloon glows, live entertainment, vendors, children's activities and a beer tent.
Festival de Vida y Muerte, OKC
When: Noon to 9 p.m. Oct. 29.
Where: Scissortail Park's Love's Travel Stops Stage and Plaza, 415 S Robinson Ave.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with music, dancing, oferendas, food trucks, cultural market and interactive activities.
Will Rogers Days, Claremore
When: Nov. 1-4.
Where: Will Rogers Memorial Museum and other Claremore venues.
Information: https://www.willrogers.com/will-rogers-days
To celebrate the Nov. 4 birthday of Oklahoma's favorite son, the festivities include a parade, film festival, 5K run and more.
Choctaw Powwow, Durant
When: Nov. 3-5.
Where: Choctaw Event Center, 3702 Choctaw Road, Durant.
Information: https://www.choctawnation.com/events/cultural/powwow
Native American dancers from all over the United States gather for one of the country's largest powwows.
Talihina Fall Foliage Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4.
Where: Talihina Ag Barn, 803 Railroad St., Talihina.
Information: https://talihinacc.com/event/fall-foliage-festival-3
The festivities include a quilt show, arts and crafts vendors, live music, kids zone, car show and more.
Battle of Honey Springs Civil War Demonstrations, Checotah
When: Nov. 4-5.
Where: Honey Springs Battlefield and Visitors Center, 423159 E 1030 Road, Checotah.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/honeyspringsbattlesite
The biennial event will include military drills, demonstrations, living history programming, vendors and battle reenactments. Fought on July 17, 1863, the Battle of Honey Springs was the largest of about 107 documented Civil War military engagements in present-day Oklahoma.
OKC Train Show
When: Nov. 4-5.
Where: The Pavilion at OKC Fairgrounds, 3212 Wichita Walk.
Information: https://www.okctrainshow.com
The 46th annual event is one of the largest model train shows in the region.
Midwest City Veterans Day Parade
When: 10 a.m. Nov. 10.
Where: 916 S Douglas Blvd., Midwest City.
Information: https://www.midwestcityok.org/parksrec/page/veterans-day-parade
The patriotic procession will march along Douglas Boulevard between SE 15 and Reno Avenue.
St. Elijah Food Festival, OKC
When: Nov. 10-11.
Where: St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 15000 N May.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/StElijahAnnualFoodFestival
Lebanese cuisine, baked goods and church tours are featured at this annual OKC favorite.
Beavers Bend Folk Festival & Craft Show, Broken Bow
When: Nov. 10-12.
Where: Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/forestheritagecenter
The 25th annual free fest brings big crowds to the "Wood Art Capital of Oklahoma" to check out turn-of-the-20th-century crafts and demonstrations, live folk music, food trucks, a barnyard petting zoo, children’s activities and more.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma fall fairs, festivals and more happening through Nov. 2023
