Story and Photo by Darl DeVault, contributing editor
The city’s biggest outdoor cultural event, the 60th Annual Festival of the Arts, happening April 23–26 in downtown Bicentennial Park, is a must-attend for culture and art lovers. It stretches from Lee Ave east to City Hall, and from Colcord north to Couch Drive, featuring visual art, culinary arts, and 300 hours of performances to engage community supporters and music enthusiasts alike.
“The 2026 Festival marks a true milestone as we celebrate six decades of a beloved tradition,” Festival Co-Chairs Sarah Frank and Richard Forshee said. “These 60 years of unforgettable Oklahoma memories reflect world-class art and music, incredible food, and the coming together of our community each spring. The Festival holds a special place in our city’s story. We are honored to help lead this anniversary year and cannot wait to see what new memories are made this year.”
The event offers the most robust ticketed Angels & Friends Celebration ever, beginning at 4 p.m. on April 22 as the official kickoff party and primary fundraiser for the Arts Council Oklahoma City. It offers a “sneak peek” experience before the festival opens to the general public the next day.
Attendees for this ticketed event can shop at the Festival’s art booths before the crowds arrive on opening day.
The special evening features live performances, including a special reunion set by the Hi-Def Howlers, and roaming entertainment throughout Bicentennial Park.
Tickets include food from the festival’s culinary partners, a signature cocktail, and access to an open bar. The event requires that you be 21 or older to enter, and it ends at 8 p.m.
The Festival offers a VIP Tent for donors and sponsors as a private retreat during the four-day event. It provides a space to relax with complimentary beer and wine and a private view of the performances.
Attendees can purchase tickets through the Arts Council OKC website.
Proceeds from the event support year-round community programs like Art Moves, All Access Arts, and Arts in Schools. All money raised at Angels & Friends stays local and helps us continue to achieve our mission of bringing the arts and the community together.
The four-day festival, free and open to the public, features performances across three stages from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. With a diverse lineup of local and regional talent, it invites art and music enthusiasts to experience a vibrant celebration of creativity and community spirit.
The Festival is a key signature event for the Arts Council, enabling it to fulfill its mission through year-round events, programs, and services.Known as the city’s “rite of spring,” this massive event features a curated group of 144 juried artists from across the U.S. and a special performance by the Oklahoma City Ballet.
Approximately 100 artists are traveling from outside Oklahoma. This means this year the festival is ranked No. 23 in the nation by Sunshine Artist Magazine, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for serious art buyers on the national circuit.
The festival attracts top-tier talent known for technical mastery and unique creative voices. Painter Gregory Erway is the featured artist this year for his commissioned work, “The Tender Season,” which is used as the festival’s official gift poster.
Sculptor and potter Collin Rosebrook, owner of Paseo Pottery, shows his nationally published sculptures and has led the festival’s popular “Pottery Place” tradition for nearly 40 years.
Ceramicist Kyle Osvog has been a regular participant whose ceramic work is noted for its architectural forms and intricate surface textures.
3-D artist Nicario Jimenez has won multiple awards at the festival, being recognized for outstanding 3-dimensional work. He is renowned for his intricate “retablos” (portable altarpieces), a traditional Peruvian art form reimagined with contemporary themes.
There are sometimes more than one artist in a booth, such as when jewelers Rebecca and Roy Evanovich, a duo recognized for high-end, handcrafted jewelry that often appears at top-ranked national shows.
The show balances stability with discovery, typically featuring around 59 returning favorites alongside 85 new artists or those making their OKC debut.
The International Food Row offers 20 booths offering global and local flavors, plus various food trucks and carts.
This year, there will be a Fresh Paint Competition featuring a live mural-making event, with emerging public artists competing. The Youth Art Sale on Saturday, April 25, features young artists ages 8–18 who showcase and sell their work.
Local legend as an acoustic guitar master, Edgar Cruz, will perform with his band, The Brave Amigos, which includes Marco Tello and Blake Bricker, at 3 p.m. Friday, April 24.
Another headlining musical act will be The Imaginaries, an Americana/pop-rock duo scheduled from 8 p.m. to 9:30 on Saturday, April 25 at the main stage.
Randy Cassimus, a singer/songwriter and former Festival co-chair, will premiere his “Rite of Spring,” an original composition written specifically for the festival’s 60th anniversary.
The festival offers multiple stages to host its massive lineup.
The Main Stage, located in the center of Bicentennial Park, hosts the highest-profile musical acts and larger ensembles. The City Stage, situated just east of City Hall, will feature community groups, school bands, and local favorites.
The Art Moves Tent is a more intimate setting north of the Main Stage that highlights solo performers and interactive creative acts.
The OKC Streetcar will be free of charge April 23 – 26. The OKC Library stop on the Downtown loop faces the east entrance to the Festival grounds.
For more information go to to www.artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts.
