Festival of the Arts returns to downtown OKC for 60th year

One of Oklahoma City’s longest-running traditions returns this week as the 60th annual Festival of the Arts takes over downtown. 

Hosted by the Arts Council Oklahoma City, the four-day event runs April 23–26 at Bicentennial Park, transforming the area into a hub for visual art, live performances and local flavor. 

First launched in 1967 as a grassroots effort to spotlight the city’s arts community, the festival has grown into one of the largest and most recognizable events of its kind in the country. Now in its 60th year, it remains a rite of spring for Oklahoma City, bringing together generations of artists, performers and visitors. 

For more than two decades, the festival has run alongside the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, creating one of the busiest and most energetic weekends of the year in downtown. 

This year’s event will feature 144 plaza artists, alongside participants in the festival’s Emerging Artist Program, a two-year initiative designed to support and mentor up-and-coming creatives. Younger artists will also take part in the Youth Art Sale, where participants ages 8 to 18 can showcase and sell their work. 

The festival’s official 2026 artwork, “The Tender Season” by Greg Erway, captures a Scissortail Flycatcher perched on a blooming redbud, a visual nod to Oklahoma spring and the spirit of the event. 

Live performances will take place throughout the weekend across two stages, featuring music, dance and a variety of cultural programming, including a performance by Oklahoma City Ballet. 

Food remains a cornerstone of the experience, with vendors offering a wide range of options that have become a staple of the festival alongside the art itself. 

Today, the event stretches across downtown from Lee Avenue to City Hall and from Colcord to Couch Drive, filling the area with artist booths, performances and activity. It also serves as a major fundraiser for the Arts Council, supporting year-round programs and services across the community. 

Festival hours run: 

• Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

• Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  

• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Getting there is part of the experience. The Oklahoma City Streetcar is currently offering fare-free rides through July 5, with a stop directly along the east entrance to festival grounds. Nearby garages and downtown lots will be open, though road closures are expected around the event footprint. 

After six decades, Festival of the Arts continues to mark the start of spring in Oklahoma City, bringing the community together through creativity, culture and shared tradition.