Top 12 Food Festivals In Oklahoma (2024)
Home to a plethora of festivals, many of which are centered on the arts, or music Oklahoma is also a home to food festivals. And, while music and the arts are wonderful, we set out to find those that also served delicious food. From seafood to barbeque to burgers, these Oklahoma food festivals are a must-see for foodies. Oklahoma’s best food fairs expertly blend small-town charm, local crops, homegrown delicacies, and community pride. Oklahoma’s annual food festivals and gourmet celebrations have been satisfying the appetites of visitors and locals for generations. Oklahoma’s food festivals are sure to delight visitors of all ages, from bright summer days overflowing with dreams of ripe, juicy strawberries to the family vacations made sweet by dripping cones of cool ice cream.
Top 12 Food Festivals In Oklahoma
- Fried Onion Burger Day Festival: The Burger Day Festival pays homage to the fried onion hamburger, which has been served daily in El Reno since the early 1900s. This Fried Onion Burger Day Festival was decided to revolve around the cooking of the World’s Largest Fried Onion Hamburger that was of 850 lbs. This El Reno festival, which draws over 30,000 people each year, also includes games, an evening concert, live entertainment, carnival rides, the annual Bun Run, and other activities. If burgers aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of other fair food to choose from. There will be Indian tacos, funnel cakes, smoked turkey legs, cotton candy, barbecue sandwiches, deep-fried Twinkies, cinnamon rolls, and more. Date: 7th May.
- Frederick Fantastic Oyster Fry: Since 1952, the Frederick Fantastic Oyster Fry has served mouthwatering, fresh oysters to long lines of festivalgoers. Oysters can be served fried or raw, on the half shell or in the festival’s secret-recipe batter. People come from all over to sample these delectable treats and peruse the fair’s craft show, which features everything from pottery and jewelry to needlework and leather crafts. Date: 5th March.
- Tuttle Ice Cream Festival: Ice cream connoisseurs, take note! Join the Tuttle community as they commemorate their 24th Annual Ice Cream Festival in downtown Tuttle. A classic car show, an antique tractor show, Live music and performances, an Ice Cream Princess Pageant, kid’s games, a homemade ice cream contest, food and vendor booths, crafts, and more will be featured at this family-friendly festival. Make a note of this ice cream-themed extravaganza on your calendar. You can participate in this ice cream eating contest to see just how much you can handle the sweet treat. Date: 18th June.
- Prague Kolache Festival: At the annual Kolache Festival, you can help Prague residents celebrate their Czech heritage. Kolaches are traditional sweet breads that are filled with a variety of fillings and fruit, take center stage at this festival, with visitors consuming an estimated 50,000 kolaches each year during the month of May! Marvel at the parade’s traditional Czech costumes, enjoy complimentary entertainment throughout the festival, and dance the night away at the city’s lively polka street dance.
Date: First Saturday of May.
- Smokin’ the Fort – BBQ & Bluegrass Festival: Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival in historic downtown Fort Gibson will feature delicious smoked meats and festive bluegrass music. This Kansas City Barbecue Society-sanctioned event attracts locals and professionals to compete for cash and other prizes while showcasing their barbecuing skills. The festival starts kicking off on Friday night with a celebration in downtown Fort Gibson that is sure to draw thousands. If you buy a taster kit, you’ll be a judge in the Taster’s Choice Competition. Smokin’ the Fort BBQ and Bluegrass Festival will feature additional food vendors. Date: 21st-22nd October.
- National Indian Taco Championship: The Indian taco is an Oklahoma staple made of fluffy Indian fry bread filled with plentiful servings of beans, tomato, cheese, and lettuce. Visit the annual National Indian Taco Championship in Pawhuska to choose which Indian taco reigns supreme and celebrate this local indulgence. This October festival is a surefire hit thanks to live music, Native American dance demonstrations, and vendor booths. Consume hearty Indian tacos but save room for dessert – dessert tacos are also competing for first place! Date: First Saturday of October.
- Chandler Hog Wild BBQ and Chrome Fest: When you attend Hog Wild BBQ & Chrome Fest in Chandler, get ready for some great barbeque. Participate in the Oklahoma State Championship barbecue competition and two days of family fun. The event will feature a wide range of vendors, as well as the People’s Choice Tasting and a variety of games and activities for children as well as other entertainment. On Friday evening, stay for the fireworks display. People, young and old, will find something to their liking. This summer festival will feature vendors, artists, a children’s play area, plenty of food, fun, and entertainment. Date: 24th-25th June.
- Blackberry Festival: The Blackberry Festival, one of Oklahoma’s longest-running Independence Day celebrations, takes old-fashioned entertainment to new heights each July. Pick up tons of fresh blackberries, browse the handmade arts and crafts on display, and compete in the cobbler-eating contest. Local cooks will compete in the blackberry baking contest, while food vendors will serve delicious fair food. Stay until the sun goes down to be rewarded with a spectacular fireworks display. Date: First Saturday of September.
- Guthrie 89er Celebration: The Guthrie 89er Celebration Festival combines history with delicious food. The annual 89er Days Celebration honors the 1889 Land Run and Guthrie’s birth. The annual Chuckwagon Feed kicks off the 89er Celebration on Tuesday. A delicious Western-style dinner will be catered, complete with brisket, beans, cole slaw, and all the trimmings, as well as plenty of live music. Don’t miss the massive carnival, which kicks off on Wednesday. Enjoy a themed midway with rides and games for people of all skill levels. Get your thrills, eat your favorite fair food, and enjoy the company of family and friends. The carnival is open until Saturday night. The event also includes a rodeo, an arts and crafts show, a parade, and other activities. Date: 19th-23rd April.
- Chisholm Trail Round-Up Crawfish Festival: The Chisholm Trail Crawfish Festival in Yukon offers a taste of Louisiana. This annual outdoor festival honors Cajun culture through food, history, and music. The festival offers a variety of activities for people of all ages and is family friendly. Historical demonstrations, such as live re-enactments of gunfights, authentic chuck wagon cooking, and plenty of cowboys, mountain men, and blacksmiths roaming the festival grounds, will provide visitors with a glimpse into the past. View living history encampments, browse prairie craft booths, and sample delicious Cajun food at one of the Chisholm Trail Crawfish Festival’s multiple food booths. Date: 4th June.
- Rush Springs Watermelon Festival: Since its inception in August 1948, the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival has been one of Oklahoma’s most popular community festivals, rewarding visitors with a seed spitting contest, icy-cold free watermelon slices, and carnival rides, when the afternoon sun is at its peak. There are over 50,000 pounds of ripe watermelon that are served to festival goers each year, this festival is rightfully regarded as one of the best summer celebrations in the country. Date: 11th-13th August.
- Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival: The yearly Watonga Cheese & Wine Festival takes place in October and includes family-friendly activities such as quilt show, “rat race”, an art show, and craft tent. Participate in cheese tastings, celebrate the annual cheese food contest winners, and tour the Made in Oklahoma zone to sample and buy items made throughout the state. Date: Second week in October.
Now you can go and check out any one of these festivals with your family or friends and have the time of your life. Foodies should really go and explore these festivals.
