Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events
Tulsa’s a great place to party, and there are lots of community events to choose from. Whether it’s art or exercise, you can usually count of some good food, too. Or just pick a food festival—how about barbecue or fresh corn on the cob? Oktoberfest combines the best of food and heritage.
With living green a watchword, look for festivals that help with the environment—herb festivals are big in the spring. Or celebrate harvest at a wine festival.
In addition to big annual events, arts and charitable organizations schedule fund—and fun—raisers. The best way to keep track is by picking up a copy of TulsaPeople. If you’re out of town, check it out online.
Spring and fall are big festival seasons, because they’re the best weather—not too hot, not too cold. Whatever you do, do find a festival and join the fun. It’s an excellent way to feel part of the community. If you like visiting with people, check out some of the smaller events with pancake breakfasts. That’s an ideal place to talk to the locals. And they’ll enjoy visiting with you.
1. Chili Bowl Nationals
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Before you get your mouth set for a bowl of spicy chili, this event is about midget racers, not cooking. The four-night event began in 1987 and is billed as “racing’s winter answer to football’s Super Bowl.” The indoor track, a quarter-mile clay oval, is groomed for best performances. Qualifying races lead up to the Saturday night finals with an always-exciting 50-lap finish.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
3. New Genre Festival
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
4. Earth Fest
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (918) 669-6600
Address: 6421 E. 36th St. North
Description: Celebrating Earth Day, the zoo plans all sorts of activities to get its guests thinking green. There are lots of crafts and green-themed things for kids to do; educational demonstrations, and recycling opportunities. Live music, face painting, and earth-friendly vendors add to the festivities.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
8. Blue Dome Festival
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: This is the people’s party. Held on the same weekend as Mayfest, this festival has more of a hometown feel—maybe not as slick, a little bohemian—but a great gathering of local artists and musicians. This festival gets you in on the ground floor with a number of new and emerging artists who will be making names for themselves in the future. Plus, there are lots of established creators who have a special fondness for the festival. Some artists have booths at both Mayfest and Blue Dome. Both events take place downtown, making it the best place in Tulsa to be on this weekend. Having two festivals isn’t a matter of competition; it just gives visitors twice as much to see, and hear—there’s plenty of musical entertainment, and you won’t have to go far to find food.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
12. Tulsa Tough
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: A three-day cycling fest, the Tulsa Tough has something for everyone, including professional-level races, tour rides, kids and youth activities, live music, and vendors. This USA Cycling event is nationally recognized and attracts over 1,500 participants annually from all over the world. The prize list is the third largest of any race on the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar—$150,000 in 2008.One of the fun events is the 8-mile Townie ride—not a race, just a nice scenic ride—advertised as a Spandex-free event.
13. Zoofari
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (918) 669-6603
Address: 6421 E. 36th St. North
Description: Usually held the first Friday evening in May, this fun, family event includes eats, animals, and entertainment. Ticket prices cover everything. A number of Tulsa’s favorite restaurants have food booths; there are arts and crafts, keeper chats, and docents with animals. From inflatables for the younger kids to laser tag and a rock wall for older ones, there really is something for all ages. But you don’t need to have children to enjoy a lovely spring evening at the zoo—and the chance for a backstage peek at some of the zoo’s most popular exhibits.
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
15. Route 66 Blowout
City: Tulsa, OK
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (918) 224-5709
Description: Classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles come rolling in early on the first Saturday in June, and the party’s on. The approximately 300 vehicles will be parked downtown for inspection and judging. Meanwhile, the Rotary Club has a salsa-making contest; there’s a juried fine-arts show; and between 75 and 80 vendors sell everything from foods to crafts.