The Festival of the Arts started in 1967 and is a long-standing tradition in OKC. It is considered a rite of spring and a signature event for Arts Council OKC. Once again, it will be held in Bicentennial Park in the heart of downtown and run from April 25-30, 2023. The Festival of the Arts is free and open to the public.
Visual, Performing & Culinary Arts
The Festival of the Arts is a community celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts, bringing a variety of talented artists together in downtown OKC. Over 100 artists, hailing from across the U.S., will flock to OKC to sell their art. From pottery to photography, everyone will find something that fits their taste. Explore the artisans here.
There are three stages of non-stop, live performances. The performers range from dancers to solo singers to bands. Find the full list of performers here.
Fuel up with festival food. Homemade ice pops, mini powdered donuts and giant turkey legs are just some of the bites you can buy at the Festival. View the list of food vendors here.
Getting There & Getting Around
Select roads in downtown will be blocked off, so using the Streetcar to get around is highly encouraged. The Library stop on the Downtown loop faces the east entrance to Festival grounds, and the Streetcar is free to the public for the extent of the Festival. If you choose to drive, parking will be available in the Downtown Garage located just south of City Hall, as well as the lot located at 444 West Reno. Paid parking is available on the street and in garages around downtown OKC. There is also limited street parking located around the perimeter of the event.
Festival Weekend Activities
The Youth Art Sale is a one-day art sale for kid artists (ages 8-18) held during Festival of the Arts. The event is located on the east lawn of City Hall on Saturday, April 29 from 11am-5pm.
The Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon coincides with the Festival of the Arts and is a celebration of life and a time to honor those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Check out the Guide to Memorial Marathon Weekend for more information.
While you're in town, you can also check out some of the top attractions in OKC.
