The great community of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, hosts incredible festivals and annual celebrations that the whole family is bound to enjoy. Experience cultural diversity, holiday festivals, art by local craftsmen, local history, and much more when you plan a visit to or live in “The Big Friendly.” While there are many events to explore, Crème de la Crème of Oklahoma City has compiled a list of some of our local favorites. Keep reading to find out what you and your family can discover together in Oklahoma City.

Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show

Image via Flickr by Kansir

In February, treat your children to a reptile adventure like never before at the Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show. Located at the Oklahoma State Fair Park, this event allows you to get up close and personal with some of nature’s most cold-blooded creatures, like snakes, lizards, and more. Along with viewing a wide variety of reptile pets such as geckos, turtles, snakes, and bearded dragons, you can also stay for seminars featuring these live critters. Repticon is a two-day event that your children will thoroughly enjoy for years to come.

OKC Cinco de Mayo Festival

Your family will love the excitement and celebrations of one of the largest Cinco de Mayo events in Oklahoma City. The OKC Cinco de Mayo Festival is featured every year on May 5 and is located at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City. From live local music and dancing to a colorful parade of horses, this festival will have you looking forward to celebrating the rich cultural history of the Hispanic community each and every year. 

Free family-friendly activities include folklorico dancing, hands-on engaging fun for children, delicious food and drinks, and international touring artists. But the main event is the crowning of Miss Cinco de Mayo. The Scissortail Community Development Corporation and Academia OKC host this event in an effort to provide an opportunity for all people to engage with the Hispanic culture as well as celebrate its contributions to Oklahoma City and its residents.

Paseo Arts Festival

Stay in town Memorial Day Weekend to attend the Paseo Arts Festival. More than 60,000 people attend this annual event held in the historic Paseo Arts District, named one of the Top 10 Neighborhoods in the United States by the American Planning Association in 2010. Come for a display of artwork by local artisans in a variety of mediums, and stay for the live music, amazing restaurants, and local shopping boutiques.

Tinker AFB Air & Space Show

Each June, Tinker Air Force Base presents the Tinker AFB Air & Space Show. Your family will be amazed by the incredible aerial maneuvers performed by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. Along with these death-defying feats, you can enjoy live-action military displays, modern military and vintage aircraft exhibits, live musical entertainment, and activities geared for both the young and old alike.

Red Earth Festival

Get a unique glimpse inside the Native American culture and history of Oklahoma at the Red Earth Festival. Each September, this award-winning event provides an amazing educational and historical opportunity for locals to celebrate the unique art and culture the Native American community has provided to Oklahoma City. Your family can view jewelry, paintings, pottery goods, and many other wares produced by these talented artists. Plus, you can purchase these items, too!

The yearly celebration includes an art market, powwow, traditional Native American dance displays, and a vibrant and visually stunning parade. To make this gathering even more memorable, there’s the Red Earth market & competition, VIP festival preview, Red Earth dance, and storytelling performances, too.

Greek Festival of OK

Each October, the St. George Greek Orthodox Church invites the community to enjoy an authentic Greek cultural experience the entire family will appreciate. The festival is run mostly by their dedicated volunteers, many of whom are some of the best bakers in their religious community. While you will definitely relish the genuine Greek cuisine, including homemade pastries and gourmet meals, you and the kiddos can also experience the lively atmosphere filled with live music, dancing, and shows by three different Greek dance troupes.

Traditional Cowboy Arts Exhibition & Sale

In the month of October, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum hosts the annual Traditional Cowboy Arts Exhibition & Sale. At this yearly fall event, the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association partners with the museum to bring to life the timeless ways of the cowboy culture, which include family values, living off the land, and a simpler, more authentic way of life. 

Real cowboys from the association will demonstrate the never-forgotten skills of crafting bits and spurs, making saddles, forging goods with silver, braiding rawhide, and several other expert abilities by these Old Western wranglers. Using interactive experiences and hands-on activities, your family will gain extensive knowledge of the lifestyle of ranchers and cowhands and have fun along the way.

Christmas on the Prairie

Christmas wouldn’t be complete without planning a visit to the Harn Homestead Museum in Oklahoma City. Experience a truly old-fashioned holiday with Christmas on the Prairie! The 10-acre homestead is decked out in traditional 1880s Christmas decorations, and the youngest and young at heart can participate in a number of family-friendly activities, such as visiting with Santa Claus, decorating cookies, and experiencing Christmastime on the prairie. You will be glad you added this holiday festivity to your annual Christmas traditions.

Whatever you decide to do as a family, be sure to add one of the above activities to your schedule soon. Take the opportunity to make lasting memories your children will cherish for a lifetime.

Now that we’ve created a list of engaging and family-friendly activities local to Oklahoma City, which ones will you be adding to next month’s family schedule? Any new annual traditions you want to try? Let us know!  And if we missed any of your favorite Oklahoma City events or festivals, we’d love to hear about them! Drop us a line, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list.