Oklahoma City has a vibrant multicultural community and hosts many festivals year-round that reflect its diversity. Getting involved in the cultural activities the city has to offer is a fantastic idea for new residents of Oklahoma City. The events always draw a great crowd of family and friends, and encourage cultural diversity.
The festivities are sponsored by many local organizations and can also provide you with new opportunities to get involved in the community. You can meet new people, share experiences, volunteer for future events, and even help create new events and opportunities to expand the local cultural scene.
We’ve gathered a list of some of our favorites. The events listed below provide OKC with unique cultural, educational, and social experiences that help expand our awareness, understanding, and appreciation for our diverse community. Don’t worry if you’ve missed this year’s event, as many are held annually.
Latin American cultural events in OKC
¡Viva Sabor!
http://www.okchispanicchamber.org/pages/VivaSabor
¡Viva Sabor! is a yearly event sponsored by the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which benefits various programs in the local Latino community. This event features the best in Latin American cuisine, entertainment, music, and business. It typically takes place twice a year, with the most recent event taking place on June 15 2018 at the Tower Theater.
¡Viva Sabor! provides a unique networking opportunity for local businesses and professionals while promoting a culturally diverse experience. Tequila and wine tasting from local vendors as well as art displays from talented local Hispanic and Latino artists always draw a crowd to this popular event.
Fiestas de las Americas
http://historiccapitolhill.com/fiestas-de-las-americas
This fun, family-friendly event is this year celebrating its 13th anniversary of celebrating Oklahoma’s rich multicultural heritage. The 2018 event takes place during Hispanic Heritage month, on September 29 in the Capitol Hill district.
From 10am to 8pm, attendees of all ages can enjoy a parade, live music and dance, local food trucks, a food court, many vendors, local Latin American art and craft, games, and many more exciting activities.
The parade starts at 10am at the Capitol Hill High School and makes its way through the Capitol Hill district with more than 70 local organizations, groups, businesses, and schools participating.
Dia de Los Muertos Art and Music Festival
https://www.facebook.com/events/2036375673253839
This year’s festival is planned for Saturday November 3 2018, from 3pm to 9pm at Southwest 29th and South Walker, OKC. The event is hosted by the Oklahoma Latino Cultural Center and SW29 District—La 29.
Asian cultural events in OKC
Asian District Night Market Festival
https://www.facebook.com/events/436415870130013/
This year was the first for the Asian District Night Market Festival. Hosted by the Asian District Cultural Association of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department, this event is an exciting venture in creating cultural awareness and brings to OKC the diverse cuisine, entertainment, and vendors that the Asian District has to offer.
The family-friendly festival offers food, activities, music, and art. In 2018, it was held from 4pm to 11pm on June 9 2018 in Military Park in OKC. The inaugural event is sure to attract a diverse crowd for its pho eating contest, Asian fashion show, cultural performances, and a martial arts demonstration.
Asian Moon Festival
http://sites.uco.edu/student-life/diversity/programsandevents/asianmoonfestival.asp
This year’s 16th annual Asian Moon Festival will be held on Friday September 21 2018, from 6pm to 8pm at Plunkett Park in Edmond. Hosted by the University of Central Oklahoma’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Asian American Student Association, the event celebrates the beginning of fall and the harvest season.
The free event features local Asian cuisine, performances, and a traditional lion dance. A time-honored Asian story of the moon will be performed, and there will be a lantern-making contest with prizes.
Asian Festival
https://www.facebook.com/events/1893815647304574
The 32nd annual Asian Festival was hosted by the Korean Society of Oklahoma and the Asia Society of Oklahoma on May 5 2018 at the Korean First Presbyterian Church in SW OKC.
Each year the festival crowns Miss Asia Oklahoma, Junior Miss Asia Oklahoma, and Little Miss Asia Oklahoma. The event also features food, entertainment, arts and crafts for the whole family.
Other multicultural events in OKC
Lebanese Heritage & Food Festival
http://www.maroniteok.org/index.php?festival
The seventh annual Lebanese Heritage & Food Festival took place on April 21 2018 at the Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Norman. The event celebrates with authentic Lebanese cuisine, folk dance, music, prizes, and plenty of activities for the whole family.
Kolache Festival of Prague, OK
http://www.praguekolachefestival.com
Prague, Oklahoma proudly celebrates its rich Czech culture and heritage every year with its Kolache Festival. The first Saturday in May, the town attracts over 30 000 people to honor the original Czech founders with a celebration of a traditional Czech dessert—kolaches. The festival also features a parade, carnival, traditional costume contest, folk dance, food, and arts and crafts to commemorate the town’s founders.
Greek Festival
The popular multi-day Greek Festival holds its annual event every fall at St George Greek Orthodox Church in OKC. This year’s event will take place October 12–14 2018.
Attendees can enjoy a variety of handmade Greek cuisine, folk dancers, traditional music and costumes, a Greek marketplace and the opportunity to tour the church and learn more about Greek Orthodox traditions.
Red Earth Festival
https://www.redearth.org/red-earth-festival/general-information/
Unlike the cultural events listed above with origins in other countries, the Red Earth Festival gives attendees a unique look into Native American culture and United States and Oklahoma history.
This year’s festival was held June 8–10 2018 at the Cox Convention Center in OKC. The event is an award-winning annual festival celebrating Native American art and culture. Festival-goers will enjoy a visually stunning parade, pow wow, art market, and a showcase of traditional Native American dance. New to 2018, the event will also have food trucks, activities, and other things to do in the nearby Myriad Gardens.
Expanding your understanding of the world
Immerse yourself in the culture of your new home by enjoying all of the multicultural events in Oklahoma, not just the festivals that feature your home country. The festivals listed above are only a small sample of the diverse community in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas.
Having trouble finding an event that showcases your rich cultural heritage? Organize your own event and help share your world with others. Multicultural events and festivals are a fun and educational way to involve people of all ages in resolving misconceptions and promoting acceptance of other cultures.
Looking for Immigration Help?
Stump & Associates is Oklahoma City’s most respected immigration law firm. With more than 30 years of experience, we know how to handle cases just like yours.
Comments are closed