Community Calendar

The 60th Annual Festival of the Arts takes place April 23–26, 2026 in Bicentennial Park in downtown Oklahoma City, celebrating six decades of art, music, food, and community. Presented by MidFirst Bank and Inasmuch Foundation, the four-day festival features over 140 visual artists, 100+ performances, and dozens of food vendors, along with interactive art experiences and family-friendly activities.

Highlights include Sculpture Park, hands-on creative spaces for all ages, the Youth Art Sale, and the Fresh Paint mural competition. The event transforms downtown into a vibrant cultural “mini city” and continues its tradition as Oklahoma City’s signature spring celebration of the arts.

We’re bringing stories to life with Stories & Specimens at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History! In this engaging program, children are invited to gather for a lively story time, where fascinating tales spark curiosity and set the stage for exploration. Each session dives into a themed topic, connecting stories to science and cultural history with museum objects that let kids see, touch, and discover in our interactive Discovery Room. Best of all, Stories & Specimens is included free with museum admission, making it the perfect way for young learners to enjoy interactive storytelling and hands-on exploration all in one visit!

Explore Anthony McCall's groundbreaking "solid light" works in the North American debut of Anthony McCall: Solid Light. Presented in collaboration with Tate, UK, visitors will experience breaktaking interactive light sculptures in Oklahoma Contemporary's Eleanor Kirkpatrick Main Gallery.

For more information: 405-951-0000, okcontemp.org/solidlight

Image: Installation photography of Anthony McCall: Solid Light exhibition at Tate Modern, June 27, 2024–June 29, 2025. © Anthony McCall; Photo © Tate.

Explore Jakian Parks: The Black Land. Though the lens of photographer Jakian Parks, Oklahoma’s Black rodeo culture becomes both symbol and setting for survival, resurgence and celebration. Much like the rodeo itself, The Black Land connects the past and present, situating the American West as a living archive and center stage for Black cattlemen and cowboys alike. The Black Land honors the dignity, beauty and power of Black equestrian life as a living tradition of cultural and historical significance.

For more information: 405-951-0000, okcontemp.org/jakianparks

Known as Oklahoma City's annual "rite of spring," the Festival of the Arts is a six-day community celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts. A local tradition since 1967, Festival of the Arts features creative works by artists from across the nation.
The Festival of the Arts is also famous for its International Food Row. Guests can choose between sampling delicious ethnic food or staying with tried-and-true festival favorites after browsing through the unique artwork. Enjoy nonstop performing arts and entertainment, as well as street performers roaming the grounds. In addition, kids can complete hands-on crafts in the Children's Art Field area for a small fee. Families can also enjoy face painting and visit Pottery Place and Sculpture Park for more fun.

Spend your Thursday evenings exploring OKCMOA’s latest exhibitions at a discounted rate! Enjoy city vibes on the Patio, then complete your visit with a stroll through the Museum Store. The Store features a full bar with cocktails, beer, wine, and grab-and-go sweet and savory items from Ganache Patisserie.

Note: Film screenings during Art After 5 require a separate ticket purchase. Some special programming during Art After 5 may also require a separate ticket purchase.

In partnership with ArtPrize and Firehouse Art Center, we're bringing Pitch Night to Oklahoma! Five artists will take the stage for five minutes each on April 23, 2026, pitching bold, original concepts to a panel of five jurors—all competing for a $10,000 grant to bring their work to life at the 2026 ArtPrize event (September 17–October 3, 2026).

Pitch Night Oklahoma is open to the public and promises an evening full of energy, creativity, and bold thinking. Enjoy a social hour with catered food and a cash bar before the artists take the stage!

For more information: 405-951-0000, okcontemp.org/artprize

Join us at the Main Building’s Te Ata Theater for an evening of high-stakes creativity at Pitch Night Oklahoma. In partnership with ArtPrize and Firehouse Art Center, the event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour featuring catered food and a cash bar, followed by the main competition at 6:30 p.m. Watch five selected Oklahoma artists pitch their artistic concepts to a panel of jurors, all competing for a $10,000 grant and a featured exhibition at ArtPrize 2026 in Grand Rapids. While the artist application deadline has passed, the public is encouraged to RSVP now to witness some of the state’s most innovative minds compete for this career-changing opportunity.

Avatar is bringing their 'Don't Go In The Forest 2026 Tour' to The Criterion in OKC on April 23rd!

Support subject to change.
Door times subject to change.

Join us for a delightful evening at the Mycellium Gallery, where you can immerse yourself in the enchanting world of wet felting with Treka Wenner from Fibers Of My Soul.

This workshop offers a unique opportunity to craft your own whimsical jellyfish, exploring creativity and texture through the art of wet felting. Each jellyfish will be created using colorful merino wool and embellishment fibers to create beautiful and vibrant designs. The Jellies tentacles can be made of ribbon, lace, yarn or other decorative materials. A variety of tentacle materials will be provided but, if you have a favorite yarn, ribbon etc, feel free to bring it to incorporate into your creation!

Scheduled for Thursday, April 23, at 6:00 PM, this event requires no prior experience, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned artists alike.

For a fee of $70, you'll receive all the necessary materials and expert instruction.

Bring your creativity and let your imagination swim with the jellyfish!

Mycelium offers a no alcohol bar with craft canned mood enhancing drinks, sparkling waters and craft sodas.