Community Calendar

The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival will offer two days of balloon glows, balloon launches and rides, and family-friendly entertainment in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Come and watch balloons, catch quality live entertainment, and experience some of Oklahoma’s best vendors and food trucks.

All times are subject to change and events are weather permitting.

For the latest schedule updates and to customize your schedule, receive alerts, and map out your day, download our official mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Admission to the festival is free, including parking, drone show and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to bring cash for the vendor market, food trucks, tethered rides ($25) and kids’ activities ($10 wristband). There is one ATM on site.

Presented in partnership with Oscilloscope Laboratories, CatVideoFest 2026 is a compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. Screening only in theaters across the US and around the world, CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience for animal lovers everywhere. Each year, local theaters partner with nearby cat-focused charities, animal welfare associations and shelters alike — a portion of ticket proceeds from every show goes directly to local cats in need!

The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival will offer two days of balloon glows, balloon launches and rides, and family-friendly entertainment in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Come and watch balloons, catch quality live entertainment, and experience some of Oklahoma’s best vendors and food trucks.

All times are subject to change and events are weather permitting.

For the latest schedule updates and to customize your schedule, receive alerts, and map out your day, download our official mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store.

Admission to the festival is free, including parking, drone show and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to bring cash for the vendor market, food trucks, tethered rides ($25) and kids’ activities ($10 wristband). There is one ATM on site.

Every Saturday at 11 a.m. we’re hosting Stories & Specimens for children and families! 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!

(Best Suited for Ages 3-10)

Discover, play, and create at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art during our Spotlight event series. Hammer Time invites visitors of all ages to enjoy activities inspired by On the Edge: The Abstract World of Frederick Hammersley, a special exhibition exploring geometric shapes, organic forms, and vibrant colors.

Live on the edge before the end of summer. Turn simple shapes into a masterpiece using the sun, stamp abstract designs with LEGO bricks, express yourself with face painting, and more!

The Spotlight event series is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Norman Arts Council.
Included with museum admission. No charge for children and teens (17 and under) or for OU students, faculty, and staff. General admission for adults is $12.

Presented in partnership with Oscilloscope Laboratories, CatVideoFest 2026 is a compilation of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet powerhouses. Screening only in theaters across the US and around the world, CatVideoFest is a joyous communal experience for animal lovers everywhere. Each year, local theaters partner with nearby cat-focused charities, animal welfare associations and shelters alike — a portion of ticket proceeds from every show goes directly to local cats in need!

Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. we bring stories to life with Crafts and Tales 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. After our story, kids can get creative with a fun craft inspired by the story’s theme—something special to take home as a reminder of their adventure.

Best of all, Crafts and Tales is included free with museum admission, making it the perfect way for young learners to enjoy interactive storytelling, hands-on exploration, and artistic expression all in one visit!

(Best Suited for Ages 3-10)

Every Saturday at 11 a.m. we’re hosting Stories & Specimens for children and families! 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!

(Best Suited for Ages 3-10)

Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. we bring stories to life with Crafts and Tales 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. After our story, kids can get creative with a fun craft inspired by the story’s theme—something special to take home as a reminder of their adventure.

Best of all, Crafts and Tales is included free with museum admission, making it the perfect way for young learners to enjoy interactive storytelling, hands-on exploration, and artistic expression all in one visit!

(Best Suited for Ages 3-10)

Get ready—the Summer Sounds Concert Series returns to The Chisholm, bringing vibrant energy and music to your summer nights!

On Thursday, August 20, Fiddler and Clarksville Creative Sound Country Music Recording Artist Mackynsie McKedy will entertain the crowd on the steps of the A. J. Seay Mansion.

The Summer Sounds concerts series brings a rhythm to summer evenings as live music fills the open air at Horizon Hill, the storied home of territorial governor A. J. Seay. It is the perfect time to gather together and indulge in dinner or a sweet treat from a featured food truck starting at 6 p.m. Spread out your favorite blanket, sink into a comfy lawn chair, and let the melodies wash over you from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The family-friendly event is free! For more information, contact the museum at 405-375-5176.