Schools out, summer is here, and we are ready to celebrate! We can’t think of a better way than to attend some of our favorite festivals. Here are five festivals you won’t want to miss this summer:
Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – May 28 & 29
Live entertainment, hands-on learning and delicious food to sample, could you ask for anything more? The Cowboy’s annual Chuck Wagon Festival checks all the boxes, and the best part is kids 12 and under get in FREE! (Blue star and foster families get in free too!)
Kicking off on Saturday, May 27 and continuing Sunday, May 28, the festival is a celebration of history, art and cuisine. Explore Liichokoshkomo’, the Museum’s incredible, interactive outdoor attraction, to see inter-tribal dwellings, visit with a Native chef and sample Native foods. Chuck wagon cooks from around Oklahoma and beyond will also be cooking up traditional cowboy cooking for attendees to enjoy as well.
After satisfying your taste buds, families can learn about ropemaking, flint knapping, painting, basket weaving, quilting and more! Western enactors round out the festival creating a truly immersive experience, full of fun.
Paseo Art Festival in the Paseo District – May 27-29
The Paseo Art Festival, an annual favorite to unofficially kick off summer, features over 100 nationally acclaimed visual artists as well as more than 50 live performers including OKC’s Led Zeppelin tribute band, Uncle Zep, Edgar Cruz & the Brave Amigos and more.
There will be special activities for kids, many offered at no cost so that budding artists can get the creative juices flowing. In front of the Contemporary Art Gallery, kids can craft a masterpiece using paint. Then, head inside Theatre Upon a StarDanceSwan for Paper Play Theatre! Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with music continuing until 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.
MetroFamily’s Kids Fest at Rose State College – June 3
We’re throwing a PARTY to celebrate OKC families — and you’re invited! Our biggest party of the year features hands-on crafts, family games, bounce houses, face painting, characters and a petting zoo, plus you can enter to win fantastic prizes.
Adults and kids under age 2 get in FREE; kids 2 and older are $5 in advance or $8 at the door. Kids Fest kicks off at 10 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m.
Red Earth Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – June 2-3
The Red Earth Festival is back at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Happening June 2-3, Liichokoshkomo’ is the perfect backdrop to showcase Native art with hands-on arts and craft stations, artist demonstrations, live music and tribal dance presentations. Native art will also be for sale.
An all-festival pass is available for $25 and single-day admission is $15. Kids under 6 are free with a paid adult.
Blackberry Festival in McLoud – July 7-8
The Blackberry Festival started as a community picnic and has grown into the longest-running, food-related festival in the state.
Sample savory and sweet Blackberry foods, take part in fun contests and games including turtle races and a cobbler eating contest, and get a pint of locally sourced blackberries to take home.
There will be a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and a carnival both Friday and Saturday. The festival finale includes fireworks on Saturday at 10 p.m. Admission is free; participation prices vary.
Happy Summer!
From the MetroFamily Team
Find even more summer festivals happening in the OKC metro and across the state at https://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/summer-festivals/.
