Festival of the Arts

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Arts & CultureOklahoma City
DatesDates TBA · Usually AprilCheck locally before booking
DurationSpringEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsWhat began in 1967 as a scramble by a
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City

Festival of the Arts is a free four-day community arts festival held each spring in downtown Oklahoma City's Bicentennial Park, produced by Arts Council Oklahoma City. Running since 1967, it gathers roughly 144 visual artists alongside performing arts stages and food booths run by area restaurants and chefs, drawing crowds to the plaza around the Civic Center Music Hall and City Hall for what the Arts Council calls its signature event.

Festival of the Arts began in 1967 as one of the first projects of the newly formed Arts Council of Oklahoma City.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What began in 1967 as a scramble by a brand-new Arts Council board to stage a five-day event on a shoestring, funded by a 7,500-dollar loan from the Oklahoma City Symphony and Art Center, has grown into one of the longest-running and most recognized fine arts festivals in the country, having been named among the top 25 fine arts festivals in the United States

02

The mystery stays covered

Founding organizers sold sandwiches and soft drinks from tents to cover costs and staged a melodrama in a tent nicknamed the Pink Pony

03

The city starts moving

Nearly six decades later the festival still centers on juried visual artists selling directly to the public, alongside dedicated youth art sales and a maker's marketplace called Creators Collective

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Festival of the Arts grew directly out of the founding of Arts Council Oklahoma City in 1967

Water and renewal

Living ritual

when board members literally built the first event themselves

The sacred route

Living ritual

pitching tents

The local code

Living ritual

making sandwiches

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and staging an informal melodrama to raise funds

Tradition 6

Living ritual

That do-it-yourself

Tradition 7

Living ritual

community-built spirit persists in the festival's continued role as the Arts Council's signature fundraiser and its Angels and Friends Celebration kickoff party

Tradition 8

Living ritual

The festival's placement in downtown's Bicentennial Park each spring has made it an established rite-of-spring gathering point for the city

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually April

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Late April in Oklahoma City is typically mild, with afternoon temperatures often in the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit, though spring storms and gusty wind are common, so a light rain jacket or...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Oklahoma City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map35.47 N, 97.52 WOpen in Google Maps

Oklahoma City, OK

Nearest airportOKC — OKC Will Rogers World
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Oklahoma City you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Oklahoma City via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Oklahoma City, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for April.Compare faresFestival gearLate April in Oklahoma City is typically mild, with afternoon temperatures often in the 60s to 70s Fahrenheit, though spring storms and gusty wind are common, so a light rain jacket or umbrella is worth keeping on hand. Comfortable walking shoes suit the paved plaza paths of Bicentennial Park, and a layer for cooler mornings and evenings is useful since spring weather swings quickly.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Festival of the Arts?

Festival of the Arts is listed for April · Spring. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival of the Arts take place?

The festival is listed in Oklahoma City, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Spring is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Oklahoma City, OK

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLartscouncilokc.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually April
Source statusOfficial source linked
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