Home of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City also pays tribute to the cowboy's trusted companion, the horse. Several national and international horse shows and at least 20 state and regional competitions are held throughout the year. The major shows take place at the arena in State Fair Park at 3001 General Pershing Blvd.
The Grand National and World Championship Morgan Horse Show is held in October at State Fair Park. The World Championship Quarter Horse Show is in November. The season ends in early December with the National Reining Futurity and the Barrel Racing Futurity . In a similar Western vein, the Chuck Wagon Gathering and Children's Cowboy Festival , held in late May, is a family event featuring chuck wagon cooks from across the country as well as entertainment, pony rides, square dancing and an Old West Medicine Show.
With a large Native American population, Oklahoma is rich with Native American culture and tradition. One such tradition is the powwow, when tribe members in full costume gather for days filled with traditional competitions, dance, music and food. These powwows take place throughout the summer, and many are held in Oklahoma City. One of the largest powwows is the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival ; representatives from more than 100 tribes gather in June to celebrate and share their heritage.
The city celebrates the visual and performing arts during April and September with art festivals held in area parks; the events feature singers and musicians performing throughout the day as well as artists displaying their works. The activity is enhanced by food stands serving international cuisines. An Affair of the Heart takes place in February and October and includes more than 400 arts and crafts exhibitors.
In September the Oklahoma State Fair transforms the 435-acre fairgrounds into a lively happening. One of the largest state fairs in the country, the 11-day event features ice shows, car races, a rodeo and livestock and cooking contests. Closing out the year, the Holidays at the Gardens celebration, held around Thanksgiving through the end of the year at Myriad Botanical Gardens and Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, glows with thousands of twinkling lights among the trees and trails.
See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.