FESTIVALS OKC loves a good party. Add some great food and drinks, and you really have our attention. It goes without saying, festivals are in our wheelhouse. Here are some of the most popular art-based festivities that both locals and visitors flock to each year. FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS This is the big one. Check out performing, visual and culinary artists from all over the country. This kid- friendly and accessible festival has been an OKC icon since 1967. PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL Artists from all over converge in the heart of the Paseo Arts District. This tight-knit creative community puts their own spin on everything. Expect good food, art, live music and plenty of chill. STEAMROLLER FESTIVAL The ARTSPACE at Untitled brings us heavy metal printmaking at its finest. Dozens of giant wood block prints are inked and pressed by an actual steamroller. Each enormous print is then proudly displayed along the outer facade of the building for the festival-goers to enjoy. DEADCENTER FILM FESTIVAL In 20 years, deadCenter grew from a one-night screening of local short films into a global indie film phenomenon. Held at venues across the city, it is a celebration of OKC as well. PLAZA DISTRICT FESTIVAL & PLAZA WALLS What started as a celebration of the comeback of the revitalized Plaza District, the Plaza District Festival draws a crowd from all over the world. The weekend festival celebrates Oklahoma’s performing artists, visual artists and musicians. The annual Plaza Walls Mural Expo happens simultaneously and invites visitors to watch as artists from around the world paint new murals in the district. PRIX DE WEST One of the premier Western art exhibitions and sales in the world is held annually at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. From contemporary sculptures to oversized landscape paintings, Prix de West has it all. RED EARTH PARADE & FALLFEST Red Earth is possibly one of the most uniquely OKC festivals which celebrates Native American culture. Taking place at Myriad Botanical Gardens, the parade and festival invites all to learn about First Americans’ traditions, art and history while honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
PERFORMING ARTS Beyond the visual arts, OKC has plenty to offer. For lovers of the performing arts, there are several ways to experience our city. OKC Broadway brings top quality performances and nationally touring musicals to our city. Catch your favorite classic musical in the historic Civic Center Music Hall located in the heart of City Center. The lavish Art Deco architecture of the venue adds a certain ambiance to the experience. In 1924, the city’s first professional orchestra was formed. Following in their footsteps and carrying on the tradition, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic was created in 1988. Since then, they, too, have called the Civic Center Music Hall home as they bring nationally acclaimed artists and orchestral music to the city and beyond. Oklahoma’s leading professional theatre can be found in OKC’s own Lyric Theatre . Providing classic and contemporary plays and musicals, the caliber of their theatrical productions are on par with those on Broadway. With productions held at both the Civic Center Music Hall downtown and the smaller Plaza Theatre in the Plaza District, Lyric offers the benefits of small and large performances. Catching a rendition of a Shakespeare play in their brand-new, Shakespeare Gardens in the Paseo Arts District is quite a new experience for most. Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park offers performances in the warmer months in their intimate backyard theatre space. In the cooler months, you can catch showings out of their indoor black box theatre. Either way, their bold, imaginative retelling of the classics is entertaining to all. The Oklahoma City Ballet is the resident dance company of the Civic Center Music Hall and boasts talented dancers from around the world. All of their productions are presented in partnership with Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the resident orchestra of the Civic Center Music Hall.
SEE THE FULL LINEUP OF EVENTS AT VISITOKC.COM
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