The fall season is a time for festivals: celebrating the various native and ethnic cultures that call Oklahoma home, providing audiences with all sorts of live entertainment, and gathering in our state’s small towns.
The Tulsa World will get into details on the two largest such events — the Tulsa State Fair, which runs Sept. 25-Oct. 5, and the Zeeco Tulsa Oktoberfest, set for Oct. 16-19 — in the coming weeks.
Until then, there are a great deal of other festivities around the area to talk about.
Bluegrass & Chili Festival
Sept. 5-6, downtown Tahlequah
For the past 44 years, two intrinsically American art forms — bluegrass music and chili cookery — have been intertwined in northeastern Oklahoma in the annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival.
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The annual festival, which features nationally known and up-and-coming regional bluegrass bands and performers along with a chili cooking competition sanctioned by the International Chili Society, originated in downtown Tulsa.
“We spent 20 years in Tulsa,” said Dell Davis, who has been the festival’s prime mover for much of its history. “We had a really good run there, but after a while, with changes in administrations and city policies, we chose to move the festival to Claremore.”
The Bluegrass & Chili Festival continued in Claremore for 18 years, before another change in city leadership led to Davis moving the festival to a new location — first Wagoner, then last year to Pryor.
Davis said she was asked by the city of Pryor to move the festival to a different time for 2025, but she had to decline.
“We’ve had these dates (in early September) for 44 years, and a lot of people rely on that,” she said. “We would lose artists and vendors if we switched the dates.”
So the festival will be held at its third new location in as many years, when the 45th annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival comes to downtown Tahlequah on Sept. 5-6.
Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Rhonda Vincent with her band The Rage will headline this year’s festival. Other featured acts include The Cleverlys, known for their tongue-in-cheek reworkings of pop hits into bluegrass tunes; Heartland Xpress; the Edgar Loudermilk Band; the Roving Gamblers; LandRun; and the Grascals.
The Bluegrass & Chili Festival is set for Sept. 5-6 in downtown Tahlequah.
Bands will be performing on three stages set up in downtown Tahlequah 6-11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.
Other activities include a “Kiddie’s Korral” for the younger set, an antique tractor show, a car and motorcycle show, craft tent, food vendors, and the impromptu jam sessions that crop up whenever bluegrass musicians and fans gather together.
The chili part of the Bluegrass & Chili Festival — officially known as the Mid-America Regional Chili Cookoff — will take place Saturday, with cooks beginning their preparations at 11 a.m. Visitors can sample the offerings by purchasing an official tasting kit, on sale starting at 2 p.m. at the festival’s information booth.
The winner of the cookoff will be invited to participate in the International Chili Society’s World Championship Cookoff in 2026.
While “Chili” is very much a part of the festival, Davis said there is a reason why “Bluegrass” comes first in the festival’s name.
The 45th annual Bluegrass & Chili Festival is set for Sept. 5-6 in downtown Tahlequah.
“For me, it’s always been all about the music,” she said. “I grew up in the bluegrass scene, and I want to do everything I can to keep this music alive. That’s why we’ve kept this a free festival, because we want to keep it accessible to people. There’s nothing more exciting and enjoyable than live music, and we’ve always been able to offer top-notch talent in a family atmosphere.
“When I look at at the audience during the festival,” Davis said, “I see people with smiles on their faces. They’re not thinking about the economy, or worried about politics or anything like that — they’re just there to enjoy a lot of good music.”
For more information and a complete festival schedule, go to bluegrasschilifest.com.
Coweta Fall Festival
Sept. 11-13, Broadway District, downtown Coweta
The 50th annual Coweta Fall Festival will feature carnival rides, vendor booths, fair foods, live stage entertainment, a Fall Festival Pageant, Coweta’s Got Talent competition, kids’ games, a car show, and dessert auctions that support the Coweta Tiger Pride Band and Special Athletes Organization. Wristbands for access to rides and attractions are $30 in advance, $35 the day of the event.
Tulsa Greek Festival
Sept. 18-20, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1222 S. Guthrie Ave.
The 65th annual Tulsa Greek Festival, also known as “Opa!Homa,” will have as its theme this year a “Greek Island Tour,” offering the chance to “explore the wonder and enchantment of the Aegean islands right here in the heart of Tulsa.”
This magical journey will be accomplished through the means of authentic Greek food and drink, live music, traditional folk dancing, shopping, and other cultural experiences, such as tours of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, on whose grounds the festival is held.
Treats such as baklava and pastries will be available at the Greek Festival.
Activities will include live music from the Texas-based band To Kefi; folk dancing by performers of all ages; a contest to see who will be named Lord of the Fries by consuming the most fries topped with a special Greek seasoning, feta cheese and tzatziki sauce; and a Kids Zone with inflatables, lawn games and other activities.
Food, most of which is made by members of Tulsa’s Greek community, is an important part of the festival. This year’s menu includes roasted lamb and roasted chicken dinners, served with green beans, rice, pita bread and tzatziki; gyros sandwiches; skewer of grilled pork souvlaki; spanakopita; saganaki, which is fried cheese flamed with brandy; and fried calamari.
Dessert items include the well-known baklava, as well as finikias, which are honey-soaked spiced cookies topped with chopped nuts; koulourakia, or Greek shortbreads; kourambiethes, almond cookies coated in powdered sugar; and coffee that is served very strong and very sweet.
Imported Greek wines and spirits such as ouzo and Metaxa, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, will also be available.
918 Day Festival
Sept. 18, 600 S. Main St.
Sept. 18 has been known as “918 Day” in Tulsa — chosen in honor of the city’s primary area code — since 2018. This year, the Downtown Tulsa Partnership is hosting the second annual 918 Day Festival, which will bring together dozens of vendors of arts, crafts, food and beverages for a community-wide celebration of the city’s arts and culture.
Pioneer Day Festival
Sept. 18-20, Skiatook Central Park, Oklahoma 20 and Locust Street, Skiatook
Skiatook’s annual Founder’s Day includes carnival rides, parades, a rodeo, art shows, a pie contest, a fly-in at the local airport, a car show and swap meet, food trucks, and other activities.
OKEQ Fringe Festival
Sept. 19-20, Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. Fourth St.
The “fringe festival” concept started in 1947, when acts that weren’t officially part of the annual Edinburgh International Festival began holding performances on the periphery of the festival — or “on the fringe.” Over time, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival has grown into the largest performing arts event in the world and has become known as a showcase of innovative, cutting-edge performances in theater, dance, music, comedy, physical theater and just about any other means of performance one can imagine.
The 2018 Tulsa Project Theatre production of the rock opera “Lizzie,” with Ellie Valdez in the title role, was the Tulsa premiere of this rock opera about the life of Lizzie Borden. Excerpts from work will be part of the Tulsa Fringe Festival, presented by Oklahomans for Equality.
Oklahomans for Equality will take a whirl at offering its own version of such an event with the Tulsa Fringe Festival, to be held Sept. 19-20 in and around the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. Fourth Ave. The festival will highlight theater, comedy, dance, music and visual works that push boundaries and bring new perspectives.
Friday will feature an adoption event by the Tulsa SPCA, along with excerpts from the musical “Lizzie,” a punk-rock version of the story of Lizzie Borden; the Tulsa People’s Orchestra, a tribute to entertainer Leslie Jordan by Tulsa vocalist and actor Pat Hobbs; and “Witness,” a performance work about the intersection of identity and faith.
The Saturday events include a screening of “Twisted Arts Shorts,” magic by John Shack Magic, pianist Maguire Sole, excerpts from the play “Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche,” a dance performance titled “Haunted” and more.
Chalk It Up! Art Festival and Broken Arrow Blue Rose Festival
Sept. 19-21, Rose District, downtown Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow’s annual Chalk It Up! Festival returns Sept. 19-21 on the streets of the city’s downtown Rose District.
Two popular Broken Arrow events come together for a weekend of family fun in the heart of Broken Arrow. The 12th annual Chalk It Up! Art Festival will have chalk art competitions, art vendors and a special exhibit inside the Art@302 center. The Rose Festival will feature garden experts sharing their knowledge of how to grow roses and other plants, street performers, food trucks, a Kids Zone, food trucks, and more.
Hours are 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The festival will conclude with Rose Kites over Broken Arrow, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at Nienhuis Park, 3201 N. Ninth St., which will feature the Tulsa Wind Riders Kite Club flying their large kites, demonstrating the fine art of kite fighting and doing a candy drop.
McNellie’s Harvest Beer Festival
Sept. 20, ONEOK Field, 201 N. Elgin St.
The annual McNellie’s Harvest Beer Festival, which is set for Sept. 20 at ONEOK Field, will feature dozens of local, regional and national breweries.
The annual McNellie’s Harvest Beer Festival will feature dozens of local, regional and national breweries, offering unlimited samples of their craft beers and other brews.
The ticket price of $45 in advance, $50 at the door, will get one admission to the festival, a souvenir tasting glass and access to all the free samples one might want.
Fin & Feather Fall Festival
Sept. 26-28, Fin & Feather Resort, 445889 Oklahoma 10-A, Gore
One of the largest arts-and-crafts shows in the state takes place on scenic Lake Tenkiller, at the Fin & Feather Resort. More than 150 local, regional and national artists and artisans will be taking part to show and sell their unique creations.
World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & Cook-Off
Sept. 27, Will Rogers Rodeo Arena, 26585 S. 4410 Road, Vinita
A Vinita tradition since 1979, the World’s Largest Calf Fry Festival & BBQ Cook-Off features plenty of fun for the whole family. Celebrate Vinita’s rich ranching history by tasting the festival’s namesake, also known as Rocky Mountain oysters.
Visitors who wish to sample the calf fries and barbecue can purchase tickets to enter the cooking area ($15 adults, $5 children). The festival also will include live music, vendors and other activities.
Pumpkin Festival at Shepherd’s Cross
Sept. 27-Nov. 8, Shepherd’s Cross, 16792 E. 450 Road, Claremore
Shepherd’s Cross has opened its working farm to visitors for the past 30 years, offering more than 60 activities, including the traditional pumpkin patch, a farm animal petting zoo, a hay bale maze, a wide variety of games and much more. Several activities packages are available, ranging in price from $9.50 to $15.50 per person.
Oklahoma Heritage Farm Fall Festival
Sept. 27-Nov. 2, at Oklahoma Heritage Farm, 38512 U.S. 75, Ramona
One can enjoy all the usual attractions that can be found on a working family farm as part of this annual event — including wagon rides, a petting zoo, chuck wagon cooking demonstrations and an 11-acre maze — or indulge in more action-oriented activities like firing off a pumpkin cannon or taking part in a paintball game. Activity passes start at $9.
Pelican Festival
Oct. 2-5, Wolf Creek Park, 963 N. 16th St., Grove
The American white pelican, some of which spend a good deal of the year in northeast Oklahoma, are the inspiration for Grove’s annual Pelican Festival.
The swallows may return to Capistrano, but the American white pelican is a regular visitor to Oklahoma’s Grand Lake, which is why Grove has been holding its Pelican Festival for more than 40 years. The festival includes a carnival, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, a car show organized by the Grove Masonic Lodge, the Pelican Festival Parade, live entertainment by groups such as the Mid-Life Crisis Band and Journey of a Lifetime, and more.
Owasso Harvest Festival
Oct. 11, Redbud Festival Park, 109 N. Main St., Owasso
The city of Owasso will hold the Owasso Harvest Festival at Redbud Festival Park on Oct. 11.
The Owasso Harvest Festival has ax throwing, face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides, a vendor’s market, food trucks, live music, and a pet-and-kid costume contest. Everything is free and family-friendly.
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