2023 Family-Friendly Summer Festivals - MetroFamily Magazine
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2023 Family-Friendly Summer Festivals

Chuck Wagon Festival, The Cowboy

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There is always something to do in Oklahoma! This is your summertime guide to family-friendly fun around the state! Whether you are looking for an outdoor festival in the Oklahoma City metro or an event with small-town charm, this guide can help you plan day and weekend trips where there is family fun waiting to be explored in every corner of the state!

Want to see the seasonal festivals and fairs offered year-round in Oklahoma? See our guide to festivals in all seasons

[Editor’s Note: This is a working list last updated on May 4, 2023, so check back often for new listings. If you know of a festival or activity that you think should be included, please email the listing information to calendar@metrofamilymagazine.com or leave a comment below.]


May 18-21

Rooster Days Festival in Broken Arrow (1500 S Main St, Broken Arrow) features one of the oldest continually running festivals in Oklahoma with carnival rides, food trucks, an outdoor/indoor vendor marketplace, a cornhole tournament, 5k & 1-mile fun runs, a parade and more. Free to attend, activity prices vary. Thursday, 5 – 10 p.m.; Friday, 5 – 11 p.m. & Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 6 p.m.

May 27-28

Chuck Wagon Festival at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NW 63rd St) features a two-day, fun-filled family weekend with chuck wagon and Native food samples, artisan demonstrations, Western reenactors, archery, craft stations, country and western dancing, live music performed by Rodeo Opry and more. $15; kids (12 & under) & museum members, free. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

June 1-3

Red Earth Festival at National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum (1700 NE 63rd St) features artistic creations of some of America’s most celebrated Native artists. Liichokoshkomo’, The Cowboy’s interactive outdoor venue, will showcase the diversity of the West with inter-tribal native dwellings serving as a backdrop for hands-on arts and craft stations, artist demonstrations, live music and special presentations of tribal dance throughout the weekend. Adults, $15-$25; kids (5 & under), free with paid adult. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma at the Choctaw Event Center (3702 Choctaw Rd, Durant) features artisan crafts, handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, informational booths, carnival, children’s activities, fireworks show and more. Free to attend. See website for schedule.

June 2-4

Sunfest at Bartlesville’s Sooner Park (420 SE Madison Blvd, Bartlesville) features live entertainment, arts and crafts, children’s games and more. Free to attend. Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

El Reno Small Town Weekend at Adams Park (2001 Park Dr, El Reno) celebrates Old Route 66 with a car show, Hot Wheels races, drag races, burnouts, antique car cruise, kids games and more. FREE to attend, event prices vary. See website for schedule.

June 3-4

Children’s Garden Fair at Myriad Gardens (301 W Reno Ave) features garden professionals and engaging stations covering topics such as good bugs and bad bugs, soil science, composting, vermiculture, and even hydroponics. All ages welcome. $7, members, free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

June 8-11

deadCENTER Film Festival in Downtown Oklahoma City (various locations) features new short films, documentaries, comedies, scary monster movies and some of the best independent films from around the world and all over Oklahoma. The festival will be in-person with a select virtual library. See website for a full list of films and showtimes.

June 10

FREE Chandler Ice Cream Festival at Tilghman Park (811 Park Rd, Chandler) features free ice cream, free carnival rides, live music by local talent and plenty of food vendors. Kids can enjoy face painting, clowns and balloon animals, as well. Noon – 5 p.m.

June 15-17

FREE Jazz in June at Andrews Park (201 W Daws St, Norman) features a three-day music festival with a long list of jazz musicians. See website for schedule.

Tulsa Juneteenth Festival in the Historic Greenwood District (Greenwood Avenue, Tulsa) features a festival that commemorates African American freedom, emphasizes education, celebrates the rich heritage of Greenwood, encourages healthy and active lifestyles, and advocates community impact. See website for schedule.

June 16-17

Farming Heritage Festival at the Shawnee Feed Center (40006 Hardesty Rd, Shawnee) features antique tractors and farming equipment, demonstrations, a tractor parade and more. Free to attend. Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

June 23-25

FREE OKC Pride Festival & Parade in Downtown Oklahoma City (various locations) features a three-day festival with art, music, a parade and more. All ages welcome. See website for schedule.

June 24 & July 1

Stars & Stripes River Festival at RIVERSPORT Adventures (800 Riversport Dr) features a full day of rowing, paddling and dragon boat racing on June 24 – then the celebration continues with the Stars & Stripes Block Party on July 1. Free to attend; parking, $10. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

June 24-25

Kidsfest at the Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve (1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd, Bartlesville) features entertainment, games, pony rides and more. Adults, $14; kids (12 & under), free. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For a complete list of Independence Day Events, see our Independence Day Fun Guide.

July 7-8

Blackberry Festival at the McLoud High School Complex (12780 W SeikelMcLoud) features all kinds of blackberry-themed items, live music, a parade, carnival, old fashion games, food and fireworks. FREE admission. Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

July 9-14

International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center (1700 W Independence, Shawnee) features up & coming contestants from across the US competing in barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, bareback riding and more. See website for a complete schedule.

July 13-15

Porter Peach Festival in Downtown Porter features arts & crafts, games, parade, car show, 5K Run, peach auction, music, food, antique tractor pull, carnival and, of course, peaches. FREE admission and peach ice cream while supplies last. FREE admission. Thursday & Friday, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.

July 14-16

An Affair of the Heart of Tulsa at the River Spirit Expo Center at Expo Square (4145 E 21st, Tulsa) is one of the largest arts and crafts shows in the nation, with a variety of crafts, antiques, collectibles, furniture, decorative items, jewelry and clothing. $10, kids (12 & under), free. Friday & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m – 5 p.m.

July 15

FREE Pawnee Old Time Saturday Night Cruze-In in Downtown Pawnee celebrates a bygone era with live music, games for kids and a car show. Bring your own street rod, 4×4, motorcycle or sports car and put it on display for everyone to see and admire. 6 – 11 p.m.

July 22

FREE National Day of the Cowboy at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center (1000 Chisholm Trail Parkway, Duncan) features western-themed activities, storytime, craft activities, live music and more. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

July 28-29

Whole Hawg Days in Eufaula (various locations) features  a two-day celebration of summer that includes a parade on Friday night, car show, Hawg cook-off and vendors in the park. This fun event is brought to a close on Saturday with the much-anticipated Whole Hawg Poker Run, held by boat, car or motorcycle around Lake Eufaula. Free to attend. See website for a complete schedule of events.

Aug. 12

FREE Rush Springs Watermelon Festival at Jeff Davis Park in Rush Springs celebrates the watermelon harvest with seed spitting contests, arts & crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment, 5K Watermelon Run, free watermelon and more. Saturday, 9 a.m. – midnight.

Aug. 11-12

Firelake Fireflight Balloon Fest at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Pow Wow Grounds & FireLake Arena (1702 S Gordon Cooper Dr, Shawnee) features live performers, family-friendly activities, fireworks and a display of 25 hot air balloons. Free to attend. Friday, noon-midnight; Saturday, 7 a.m. – midnight.

Aug. 18-19

Annual OCA Range Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena (9600 Lazy E Dr, Guthrie)  features six events including saddle bronc riding, wild cow milking, team branding and wild horse race. Benefits Children’s Miracle Network. Adults, $15-$30; kids (6-11), $5; kids (under 5), free. Friday & Saturday, 7 p.m.

Aug. 19

FREE Asian District Night Market Festival at Military Park (2520 N Classen Blvd) features Asian food trucks, merchants and vendors as well as live entertainment, inflatables, cultural performances and more. 5-11 p.m.

Aug. 28-Sept. 2

FREE Payne County Free Fair at Payne County Expo Center (4518 Expo Circle E, Stillwater) features livestock shows, a wide variety of agricultural exhibits, a carnival, fair food, an old-fashioned horse pull, a lawn tractor pull, a pet parade, an antique tractor parade and more. See fair guide for a complete schedule of events.

Aug. 31

FREE Rock the Route in Downtown Yukon (Main St between 4th & 5th St, Yukon) features live music, food trucks, family activities and more. Some activities are pay-to-play and prices vary. 6-11 p.m.

Sept. 4

FREE Labor Day Celebration in Henryetta (Main Street, Henryetta) features a parade, games for all ages, concerts, a carnival, rodeo and an impressive fireworks display at dusk as well as a car, bike & tractor show. 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

 

Want more family-friendly fun? See our guide to seasonal festivals all year long.

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