To make celebrating the season as memorable as possible, we’ve gathered the top OKC activities and events that happen to be at no cost to you. You really can #SeeOKC for free!
Seasonal Events
The 25th Annual Plaza District Festival is back for another year of fun on Sept. 28! Enjoy work from Oklahoma's own performing artists, visual artists and live musicians. The festival draws crowds from all around Oklahoma City and surrounding areas. This event is free and open to the public. The festival begins at noon and will wrap up at 10 p.m.
If you're in Oklahoma City on October 4-5, don't miss the annual Asian Night Market Festival! Originally a one-day event, its growing popularity has expanded it to two days of celebration. Hosted by the Asian District, this free, family-friendly festival offers a rich celebration of Asian culture. Enjoy diverse food, lively performances and engaging activities that showcase the heart of OKC's Asian community. Come experience the magic of the Asian Night Market Festival for yourself.
Looking for ways to keep your kids active and engaged during fall break? The Oklahoma Hall of Fame presents Fall Y’all, three days in October dedicated to free family fun. Families can enjoy arts and crafts, games and story time. The annual event will be held Oct. 16-18 this year from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. each day.
Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day at the Red Earth FallFest and Parade at the Myriad Gardens on Oct. 19. The festival will begin with a parade and continue with a number of activities throughout the day including an Arts and Crafts Market and youth Powwow. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and are free for all to enjoy.
Stockyards Stampede is back for another round of excitement on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The free event will include all kinds of activities throughout the district, including an authentic Chuck Wagon camp, a Made in Oklahoma Market and a Little Miss and Mr. Stockyards pageant.
Bookstores
Commonplace Books is a must-visit this fall. The intentional reading spaces and large windows invite you to take a seat and stay a while. The books are curated by staff to offer the best selections to fellow readers. The best part? You’re invited to bring the kids for free donuts and story time every Saturday at 10 a.m.
Bookworms of all ages also enjoy Full Circle Bookstore – every book lover’s dream come true. The oak bookcases, rolling ladders and wood-burning fireplaces create a cozy space for all to enjoy. Guests are welcome to help themselves to a cup of complimentary coffee as they read books written by all kinds of authors, including Oklahoma natives. Don’t forget to bring the kiddos to Full Circle Bookstore on Saturday mornings at 10:15 a.m. to hear a children’s book and have a free snack.
Outdoors
Not much beats the view of Lake Hefner during the fall months. Gather the family for a long walk or bike ride on the paved trails that surround the lake. Looking to lie around in the great outdoors? The south side of Lake Hefner has plenty of trees for hammocking. Lastly, make sure to stop by the lighthouse for an Instagram-worthy photo.
Take a stroll through nature as you watch the leaves turn from green to gold. The Myriad Gardens are a great place to stretch and unwind. Speaking of stretching, be sure to check out Myriad in Motion, free yoga at the Myriad Gardens every Saturday morning. Don’t forget to bring your yoga mat.
The grounds at Scissortail Park are perfect for all kinds of outdoor activities, including picnicking. The park is open to the public from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. If you’re lucky, you just might catch a classic Oklahoma sunset while you’re there.
Whether you're looking to engage in some physical activity or just want to take a leisurely stroll, OKC's Wheeler District is the place to be! Every Sunday from now through Oct. 27, the district hosts Fitness at the Wheel – a guided exercise session from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. After getting a sweat in, stick around for fun giveaways and delicious treats. If you're looking for something a bit more relaxing, you should check out the Wheeler District Farmer's Market. The farmer's market is held every Friday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. now until Oct. 25. Trust us, you'll definitely want to check it out.
Museums
All sports fans will love making their way through the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. More than 180 Oklahoma sports figures and two “teams of legend” are honored throughout the museum. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is free.
Oklahoma Contemporary is a free arts center located on NW 11 and Broadway in downtown OKC. The center's new building, designed by Rand Elliott Architects, was built to reflect the quality of light and sky in the region. Visitors can check out the new building and newest exhibit, Outre West: The American School of Architecture from Oklahoma to California, now through Jan. 27.
For more seasonal events and things to do, visit our events calendar.
