What's Coming to OKC in 2026

This story originally appeared on VisitOKC. 

As we reflect on 2025, Oklahoma City experienced more than our fair share of newness, including the opening of OKANA Indoor Resort & Waterpark, the first season of the OKC Comets, Perle Mesta and a stunning renovation of the Skirvin Hilton, plus the Lively Hotel and a bevy of stylish dining and retail options at the OAK. Expedition Africa was also unveiled at the OKC Zoo, and we cut the ribbon on the new OG&E Coliseum at OKC Fair Park.   

We marked the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and the 25th OKC Memorial Marathon – two formative experiences – juxtaposed with an NBA Championship season and parade for the history books.  

In true OKC fashion, 2026 is poised to be yet another banner year. We’ve rounded up some exciting openings, marquee events and historic milestones, making it easy to find fun things to do all year long.    

What’s New 

Now open downtown, the Clara Luper National Sit-In Plaza honors Clara Luper and the 13 students who led the 1958 Katz Drug Store sit-in, one of the nation’s earliest civil rights protests. The site features a 16-foot bronze lunch counter with 15 life-size figures and an empty stool inviting visitors to reflect and engage.  

The First Americans Museum also recently opened a unique, fun-filled learning adventure for everyone, ages three to 103. The FAMily Discovery Center is a fully illustrated, pop-up-book-inspired forest world rooted in First American values and imagination is designed with layered interactivity, sensory learning and cultural authenticity. The whimsical experience empowers all ages to explore the living world and their role in it.   

Historic Capitol Hill opened Plaza Calle Dos Cinco in September 2025, a multicultural gathering space celebrating the neighborhood's Latino heritage. The plaza features Talavera tiles, decorative lighting, a gazebo stage and shaded seating. Designed with community input, it serves as a hub for cultural events, local businesses and neighborhood gatherings. Don’t miss Fiestas de las Americas in September 2026 which includes live entertainment, food trucks, art and pop-up markets in and around the new plaza. This vibrant celebration has grown over the past 20 years and attracts nearly 20,000 attendees.   

Adrenaline junkies will love the new Andretti Indoor Karting and Games, Oklahoma City’s newest entertainment venue at The Half. The 96,000-square-foot facility boasts several exciting features including electric super-karts, zip lining, rock climbing, a full-service sky bar and more.  

In the Adventure District, Boombox Beach Club opened as a hub for beach volleyball enthusiasts. It features eight indoor and six outdoor beach volleyball courts, plus lounge areas, a café and bar, and other games like ping pong and cornhole.     

What’s Coming 

Save the date for even more marquee events and new experiences coming in 2026!   

Come celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 all year long! OKC is home to some of the Mother Road's most iconic landmarks, attractions and destination dining. Special events will take place throughout the year, such as the “Kickin’ It on Route 66” Centennial Birthday Bash on May 30 in Scissortail Park. New public art is also popping up, like the 66 Kicks sculpture slated for installation in late-spring 2026.   

Also on Route 66, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s exhibit Route 66: From Trials to Truck Stops is on display February 6 through May 4, 2026. Another incredible new permanent experience – The Cowboy: An Immersive Journey – opens in January. This 360° cinematic experience will transport guests to a place where rich Western history comes alive.   

A striking new public art installation, Cloud Embrace, is coming to the pedestrian plaza at Reno and Walnut Avenue in lower Bricktown. Designed by Creative Machines, the monumental piece features perforated steel, multicolored panels and LED lighting to create immersive day-and-night visitor experiences. Inspired by Oklahoma City’s ever-changing skies, the installation invites people to step inside and interact with the space, making it a memorable photo moment and a new gathering spot. The project is on schedule for a March unveiling.   

An international blockbuster art exhibit is headed to the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center. Anthony McCall: Solid Light (March 13–July 27, 2026) is presented in collaboration with Tate Modern in London. It explores the intersection of cinema, sculpture and drawing through large-scale, immersive installations. A pioneering figure in experimental film and installation art, McCall transforms projected light into sculptural form, creating slowly evolving volumes of light that visitors can walk through, offering a fully captivating experience. These “solid light” works challenge the boundaries of traditional media, offering a spatial encounter that invites active participation and reflection.  

This coming year will also mark significant anniversaries for two marquee annual events – Arts Council OKC’s 60th Festival of the Arts takes place April 23-26 and the 40th Red Earth Festival comes to the OKC Convention Center August 1-2. The U.S. is also celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026 with a nationwide commemoration called America’s 250. The Oklahoma State Fair in September will have some official festivities and you can keep an eye on Visit OKC’s events calendar for more info on how Oklahoma City is recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.   

We’ll also break ground on even more legacy projects across the city in 2026. This includes the new OKC Arena and a Multipurpose Stadium, both slated to open in 2028, plus construction will begin on the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center and Foreword, an expansion at the OKC National Memorial & Museum.