Weekly Events Calendar: September 8-14, 2025

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

Hey folks, it's another beautiful week here in Oklahoma, and as we wait for fall to officially begin, there's a ton of great stuff going on all around the state this week. So hop in the car, put on your fall playlist, and get ready to roll, because we've got some good ones.—Nate

I'd love for you to email me your State Fair routine, because I'm convinced almost everyone has one. Mine goes like this: Arrive, get cash, get a beer. Then tour through the Oklahoma Arts and Modern Living buildings—that's where the kids' crafts, the food competitions, and homemade stuff like quilts live. It's my favorite part of the fair, so it's where I start. Then it's food time: A pork chop sandwich from the Oklahoma Pork Council booth is one of the State Fair's great unsung items, by the way. And it's right next to the booth with the tiny jugs of root beer! One of those plus a fried Snickers, and we're ready to go in The Pavilion and look at the new cars. Then it's to the Bennett Events Center, to the booth that sells all the old-school candy like Pop Rocks and saltwater taffy. Then, full to bursting, we wander around the livestock barns and do some people-watching until we're tired. That's a good day, and this year's State Fair has eleven of them: From September 11 to 21, this yearly Oklahoma tradition fills Oklahoma City's fairgrounds with food, rides, exhibitions, live music, and people-watching galore. It's a perfect way to kick off fall in Oklahoma, and you don't want to miss it.
**September 11-21. Tickets, $5.50-$12.50 plus additional tickets for some performances. okstatefair.com **

One of the state's grandest traditions, the Oklahoma State Fair, returns to Oklahoma City for its opening September 11 and runs through September 21. Photo by Nathan Gunter

With summer winding down, it's one of the last chances you'll have for awhile to enjoy one of the best warm-weather activities there is: Day drinking. Or, in this case, sunset drinking. Because the Oklahoma River Cruises' summer favorite Cocktail Cruises are winding down, with one of the final sailings this Friday, September 12 and Saturday, September 13. For $20—or $15 if you're a child or senior—you can embark on a ninety-minute sunset ride down the Oklahoma River, enjoying views of the downtown skyline, Wheeler Ferris Wheel, Boathouse District, and more. Adults twenty-one and older will be able to purchase delicious cocktails, wine, and beer, and everyone can enjoy snacks, soda, and water. September cruises depart at 7 p.m.
**September 12-13 and 26-27. Tickets, $15-$20.
embarkok.com **

Unwind with a cocktail paired with a beautiful Oklahoma sunset while sailing on Oklahoma River Cruises' Cocktail Cruise. Photo courtesy Pexels

I've been running again lately. It's been nice, starting my day out with a bit of light-ish cardio. If, like me, you're completely nuts and actually enjoy running, there's not a better run in Oklahoma this month than the Bison Run 5K at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur. This USA Track & Field Organization-certified hybrid course will take you past mineral springs and into some very cool wildlife-viewing opportunities. When you're done, there's a car show at the Artesian Hotel, Casino & Spa—where you can also soak your tired legs in a really fantastic Jacuzzi.
September 13. Registration, $30 + $3.63 SignUp Fee runsignup.com

The beautiful Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Sulphur will serve as the perfect backdrop to this Saturday's Bison Run 5K. Photo by Megan Rossman

Did you know that somewhere between 11 and 13 percent of Oklahoma's population is Hispanic? And September is Hispanic Heritage Month, so let's get celebrating! One of the best ways to do that is in Ponca City, at the Hispanic Heritage Festival from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 13. There'll be arts and crafts activities for kids at the public library from 3 to 5:30, and food and crafts vendors will be set up on the lawn. You'll hear the gorgeous vocals of local Kristhel Delprincipe, see a performance from Ballet Folklorico Xochipilli of OKC, and renowned Oklahoma guitarist Edgar Cruz will close the evening.
September 13. Admission, free visitponcacity.com

The Ponca City Hispanic Heritage Festival is Saturday, September 13.

Okay, so consider this writeup a public service announcement: Pickle Fest is not a festival in which dozens of booths are set up in a space, each offering a selection of different kinds of pickles (though LMK if you think Oklahoma Today should create that event). What Pickle Fest is might be even better. Because during Pickle Fest, you do get to try a number of different pickled items: cucumbers, of course, but also maybe okra or something even wilder like watermelon. Who can say? You'll have to go to find out. And where are you going? On a miles-long journey journey through east-central Oklahoma, along the fifty-six miles of the Handcrafted & Homegrown Shopping Trail. See, the Pickle Fest is a shop hop, taking you through great spots like Sister Act III and The Dog Closet in Holdenville, Okie Trading Post in Wetumka, and Granny's Garden in Calvin, to name just a few. You'll stop at each spot, do a little shopping, have a little pickle treat, and continue on this delightful brine-and-handicrafts themed road trip. Sounds like a perfectly spec-pick-u-lar to spend a Saturday to us!
September 13. Admission, free. TravelOK.com or (972) 814-5420

Pickle-Fest is September 13.

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.