These 5 Oklahoma Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals
Oklahoma, with its deep roots in Native American culture, pioneer spirit, and rural heritage, is a state that embodies the heart of folk America. It became the 46th state on November 16, 1907, and its history is marked by dramatic events like the Land Rush of 1889, which shaped its identity, and its place as the heart of the Dust Bowl, which highlighted the resilience of its people. Despite it all, Oklahoma knows how to throw a party, and its unique festivals are proof. Whether singing along to Woody Guthrie’s patriotic “This Land is Your Land” at WoodyFest, diving hands-first into the noodling madness in Pauls Valley, or stepping back in time at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, there’s something for everyone.
WoodyFest, Okemah
One of Oklahoma’s most famous sons, Woody Guthrie, was born in Okemah in 1912. Woody Guthrie is primarily remembered as a folk singer-songwriter but was also deeply involved in political activism in the post-World War II era. The festival’s inaugural show was in 1998 and included Arlo Guthrie, Woody's son, and British folk-punk artist Billy Bragg, who was deeply influenced by Woody's music. More recently, Woody and his influence in folk music have been introduced to a new generation of fans in the new Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” highlighting Dylan’s journey to New York City to meet his musical idol before he died in 1967.
WoodyFest, also known as the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, is held annually on the weekend closest to Woody’s July 14 birthday. This year’s 28th WoodyFest takes place from July 10-12, in Woody’s hometown of Okemah. The festival attracts upwards of 10,000 folk music fans from California to Scotland, who come to listen to three days of musical performances with food trucks and craft vendors onsite. A free Children’s Festival occurs July 12-13 in Okemah City Park.
Okie Noodling Tournament, Pauls Valley
This unusual festival celebrates the unique sport of noodling — catching catfish with bare hands — and includes live music, food, and a catfish cook-off. The event has its roots in the 2001 documentary film “Okie Noodling,” which takes a deep dive into the unconventional, potentially perilous practice of catching catfish using one’s bare hands in the rivers and lakes of Oklahoma. The film won the Documentary Audience Award at the 2001 South by Southwest Film Festival for exploring the noodling subculture.
This year’s fish festival marks its 25th anniversary from June 14-15 in Wacker Park. This one-of-a-kind festival includes a handfishing demo, a catfish eating contest, food trucks, and live music. After the tournament, stop by the iconic Bob’s Pig Shop, the classic barbecque joint that serves as the event's epicenter.
Chickasha Festival of Light, Chickasha
The Chickasha Festival of Light is an annual event that started as a way to build spirit in the community. In the early 1990s, the festival’s original organizers sought a way to bring recognition to the small town. They were inspired by the well-known “Wonderful of Lights” festival in Marshall, Texas. Since then, the colorful festival has grown into a massively popular Christmas light display that transforms Shannon Springs Park into a winter wonderland, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The festival is free to walk or drive through and is open nightly, starting on the Thursday before Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s Eve. Jammed packed with over a month of events, there’s daily ice skating, a Ferris wheel, carousel, camel and pony rides, and dedicated days for a Santa Shuffle, carriage rides, and photos with Santa.
89er Days Celebration, Guthrie
April 22 — Oklahoma Day — is an annual holiday in the state. It commemorates the date in 1889 when the state became open to European settlement. Celebrations are held throughout the state on Oklahoma Day, but the biggest party is in Guthrie, the first state capital before Oklahoma City. This historic town, originally home to the land office, is located about 80 miles from the starting line of the 1915 reenactment of the iconic Land Rush. Called the 89er Days Celebration, the four-day festival honors the pioneering spirit of the early settlers and the history of the Land Rush.
Typically, 89er Days includes Oklahoma’s oldest and longest parade, featuring floats, marching bands, horses, vintage wagons, and revelers in period costumes. A busy carnival with food trucks, games, live music, and the highly anticipated chuck wagon feed reflects the state’s cowboy culture. One of the event’s highlights is the 89ers Rodeo at the Logan County Fairgrounds, showcasing traditional rodeo events, bareback and saddle bronc riding, roping, bull riding, and more.
Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Muskogee
The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival celebrates its 30th year in 2025 at the Castle of Muskogee, a 36,000-square-foot castle complete with a torture chamber, a dungeon, and catacombs. The castle sits in a 30-acre Renaissance Village known as Castleton, which includes three pirate ships, a mermaid cave, a fairy boardwalk, a jousting area, and more. For six consecutive weekends from April 26 to June 1, 2025, the castle hosts the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, which boasts multiple stages featuring live performances of period music and dance.
The six weekends are based around themes, including Pirate Weekend, Celtic Weekend, and Spice Roads Weekend, with performers and festival goers dressed in costume. Various food and beverage options, interactive workshops, educational displays, artisanal markets, and a cheeky blend of role-playing and revelry reflect the era. The festival is perfect for history buffs, cosplay enthusiasts, or anyone interested in spending a weekend honing their jousting skills.
Conjuring up images of the heyday of car road trips, Oklahoma should be added to upcoming travel plans, if only to check out some of the most unique festivals in the U.S. From historic parades in Guthrie to twinkling lights in Chickasha, these events are a mix of quirky, charming, and downright fun. With live folk music, fried catfish, patriotic parades, and even jousting, the Sooner State invites locals and visitors to these six small towns, celebrating the state's heritage and community spirit at the funkiest festivals.
