Production Begins April 10 | Full Artist, Performance, and Food Lineups Now Available
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Arts Council Oklahoma City proudly announces the beginning of on-site preparations, as a “mini city” of art, music, and community takes shape in Bicentennial Park for the 60th Annual Festival of the Arts, April 23–26, 2026. Presented by MidFirst Bank and Inasmuch Foundation, this milestone year celebrates six decades of art, culture, and community in Oklahoma City. Festival of the Arts continues its legacy as Oklahoma City’s “rite of spring,” bringing together hundreds of visual, performing, and culinary artists for four days of immersive cultural experience.
For 60 years, Festival of the Arts has showcased the very best of our community – and this year is a celebration of that legacy and the future we’re building through the arts. Arts Council OKC is proud to bring people together, support artists, and energize our community through art, music, and everyone’s favorite food vendors. Spring starts at Festival of the Arts.
Festival Hours
Thursday, April 23: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, April 24: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 25: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, April 26: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Full Festival Lineup
The 2026 Festival features:
144 juried visual artists from across the country
100+ performing artists across two stages and Art Moves pop-ups
33 food vendors spanning International Food Row, food trucks, and specialty carts
Complete listings of visual artists, performers, and food vendors, along with the official Festival map and schedule, are available here: https://www.artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts/map-program/
Festival Areas & Activities
Festival of the Arts offers a dynamic mix of immersive, hands-on, and family-friendly experiences throughout Bicentennial Park:
Sculpture Park, presented by William White and Associates
Now expanded and relocated within Bicentennial Park, Sculpture Park and the Sculpture Park Garden feature larger-than-life works that showcase innovation, scale, and creativity. Curated by Jenn Peek and Leticia R. Bajuyo, this must-see destination highlights contemporary sculptural practices from leading artists.
Children’s Art Field, presented by SSM Health St. Anthony
A free, hands-on creative space for children ages 12 and under. This year’s featured activity invites young artists to create a colorful handheld version of Oklahoma’s state bird on the northeast lawn of City Hall. Sensory-sensitive materials are available upon request.
Pottery Place, presented by Express Employment International
Located on the southwest lawn of City Hall, this interactive experience invites attendees to create their own pottery with guidance from Colin Rosebrook and the artists of Paseo Pottery. Participants can select, glaze, and fire their own piece, with pricing ranging from $5 to $25.
First Collector’s Club, presented by Maguire O’Hara Construction
Designed for young art enthusiasts ages 12 and under, this unique kids-only gallery allows children to purchase original works of Festival artists priced between $1 and $10. This space encourages early engagement with art collecting in a setting created exclusively for first-time collectors.
Creation Station
Festival’s signature collaborative art experience returns for its 60th anniversary. Guests of all ages are invited to contribute to the oversized 60-Years-Big Sketchbook, creating a shared work of art that celebrates six decades of Festival creativity. Located just east of City Hall and free to the public.
Youth Art Sale
Held Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., this annual event showcases and sells original artwork by Oklahoma artists ages 8–18. Located on the northwest side of City Hall, the Youth Art Sale supports these budding artists, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the students.
Fresh Paint Mural Competition
Festival will showcase the culmination of the 2026 Fresh Paint program, presented in partnership with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This professional development initiative supports emerging muralists through mentorship and large-scale public art creation.
Public voting determining this year’s winner will end Sunday, April 19. Murals will be on display during Festival.
Vote here:
https://www.nba.com/thunder/artscouncil
The Fresh Paint winner will be announced during the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, April 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony (Overview)
Thursday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m.
- Welcome remarks from Festival Co-chairs
- Arts Council Oklahoma City leadership remarks
- Mayor of OKC remarks
- Fresh Paint winner announcement and recognition
- Indigenous Cultural Acknowledgment
- Live performance leading into official Festival opening declaration
Micro-Volunteering Opportunities
Arts Council OKC invites the community and corporate partners to be a part of Festival through flexible micro-volunteer opportunities:
Production Volunteer (April 13–17, 5:00 – 6:30 PM)
Help build a “mini city” in downtown OKC — from tents and signage to essential infrastructure.
Artist Friends Volunteer (April 23–26, during Festival hours)
Support visual artists with booth needs, refreshments, and point-of-sale coordination.
These 90-minute shifts offer a hands-on way to engage while directly supporting Festival operations.
To participate, report to Festival Headquarters (corner of Colcord and Walker in Bicentennial Park) at designated times.
Onsite Contact: 405.270.4848
Street Closures
To accommodate Festival setup and operations, the following road closures will be in effect:
Dates: April 10 at 8:00 a.m. through May 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Walker Avenue
Closed northbound from Colcord Drive to Robert S. Kerr Avenue
Closed southbound from Robert S. Kerr Avenue to Main Street
Arts District Parking Garage remains accessible via Walker and Latting Circle
Lee Avenue
Closed northbound from Main Street to Couch Drive
Fully closed (both directions) from Colcord Drive north to Couch Drive
Colcord Drive
Closed from Lee Avenue to Walker Avenue
Limited access from Shartel Avenue to Lee Avenue
Couch Drive
Closed from Walker Avenue west to Lee Avenue and east to Hudson Avenue
April 19–28 Only
Couch Drive and Latting Circle are closed from Park Avenue to Walker Avenue
For more information, visit ArtsCouncilOKC.com or call 405-270-4848.
About Festival of the Arts
Festival of the Arts, a production of Arts Council Oklahoma City, is made possible through the support of presenting, official, and associate sponsors and the dedication of thousands of volunteers who help bring this four-day celebration to life each year. Festival proceeds support Arts Council OKC’s year-round programming.
About Arts Council Oklahoma City
Arts Council Oklahoma City is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and arts outreach activities that impact underserved populations. Each year, Arts Council OKC programs and events reach hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors across the Oklahoma City metro.
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