By Wyatt Poindexter – The Agency Oklahoma
Updated October 13, 2026
October gives Oklahoma plenty of reasons to get out of the house. Downtown streets fill with music and food trucks, families head to pumpkin patches, and haunted attractions offer the kind of evening that makes you question why you bought a ticket in the first place.
Whether you live in Edmond, Norman, Oklahoma City or Tulsa—or want a weekend at Grand Lake or Carlton Landing—there is still plenty to enjoy before November arrives. From concerts and community festivals to Halloween celebrations and scenic road trips, here is a guide to what is coming during the second half of October.
Oklahoma City: Pumpkins, Concerts and Halloween Traditions
Pumpkinville at Myriad Botanical Gardens continues through October 25. This year’s “Road to Route 66” theme celebrates the historic highway’s centennial with pumpkin displays inspired by recognizable roadside landmarks. It is an easy choice for family photos, seasonal activities and an afternoon downtown. Myriad Botanical Gardens
Red Earth FallFest takes place October 17, with the 2026 event moving to Scissortail Park. Its Native Art Market and Youth Powwow offer an opportunity to enjoy art and celebrate Native culture in the heart of the city. Red Earth
Families have several Halloween outings to choose from:
- Haunt the Zoo continues Saturdays and Sundays through October 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The OKC Zoo also lists a special evening trick-or-treat event October 30.
- HalloWest at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is October 22, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., with trick-or-treating, crafts, face painting and Western activities.
- Brick-or-Treat brings free Halloween entertainment to Bricktown October 25, from 1 to 4 p.m., for children under 14.
- The Oklahoma Railway Museum offers Halloween train rides October 30–31.
- OKANA’s free Boo Bash celebrates Halloween night with games, pumpkin painting, entertainment and candy stations. Top Events & Activities
For a longer family outing, Orr Family Farm’s fall season continues through November 14. Frontier City’s Kids Boo Fest runs on weekends through October 31. Top Events & Activities
The concert calendar adds another reason to head downtown. Paycom Center lists SOMBR on October 16, Elevation Worship on October 17 and The Smashing Pumpkins on October 24. Thunder fans can also plan around home games against Denver on October 22, the LA Clippers on October 25 and Phoenix on October 26. Dinner downtown followed by a concert or basketball game makes an easy fall date night. Paycom Center
Edmond and Arcadia: Community Nights and Storybook Trails
Heard on Hurd returns October 17 for the final event of its 2026 season. Downtown Edmond’s street festival combines local live music, food trucks and pop-up shopping. Bring an appetite, meet friends and spend an evening supporting Oklahoma businesses. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Storybook Forest runs October 23–30 at Arcadia Lake’s Spring Creek Park, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Children collect candy along a wooded path lined with scenes from classic stories, while hayrides, games and campfires add to the experience.
This is a particularly good option for families wanting Halloween fun without intense scares. Advance tickets are required for everyone walking the trail, and nightly child-ticket capacity is limited. Edmond, OK - Official Website
Parkhurst Pumpkin Ranch in Arcadia lists its 2026 season through November 8, with hayrides, pony rides, farm activities and seasonal treats. It is an opportunity to trade a busy afternoon for time outdoors with the family. Check its operating schedule and weather updates before visiting. Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch
Norman: Creative Events and Downtown Halloween Fun
Norman’s Artoberfest continues with events that go well beyond a typical fall festival.
Metal Shop takes place October 16 at 6 p.m. at Lazy Circles Brewing, featuring a live aluminum pour, artists creating work and performances by Bugnog and Mushroom Goblin.
On October 30 at 7 p.m., A Night to Dismember brings a zombie-themed evening downtown to benefit Norman Music Festival. Makeup, a scavenger hunt and the Blood Harvest Ball give adults an option for Halloween entertainment with live music. visitnorman.com
For families, Downtown Norman Fall Fest is October 23, from 6 to 9 p.m., along the 100–300 blocks of Main Street. Admission is free, with trick-or-treating, rides, inflatables, costume contests and DJ entertainment.
Plan dinner downtown, bring the costumes and make an evening of it. visitnorman.com
Tulsa: Oktoberfest, Garth Brooks and HallowZOOeen
Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa runs October 22–25. German food, live music, carnival rides and festival competitions make this a weekend with plenty to enjoy. Children 12 and under enter free when accompanied by parents or guardians. Tulsa Oktoberfest
Tulsa’s concert calendar is busy, too. BOK Center hosts Staind’s Break the Cycle 25th Anniversary Tour on October 16. Garth Brooks follows with three shows October 23–25, including a Sunday matinee.
With Garth Brooks and Oktoberfest happening the same weekend, anyone planning a Tulsa getaway should arrange tickets, lodging and transportation early. Tulsa Oilers hockey also appears on the arena calendar October 17, 27, 29 and 30. BOK Center
Tulsa Zoo’s HallowZOOeen runs October 24–25 and October 29–31, with different daytime and evening sessions. Costumes, treats, carnival games and haunted train rides give families several ways to celebrate. Online reservations are required, and guests should select their session carefully because activities and zoo access differ. Tulsa Zoo
Grand Lake and Grove: A Fall Weekend With a Soundtrack
Grand Lake’s Old-Time Gathering & Music Festival takes place October 16–17.
Friday evening begins at Snider’s Camp from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by Saturday programming at Har-Ber Village from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The music includes old-time, Celtic, bluegrass, swing and country.
Saturday concludes with a contra dance from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and visitors can participate or enjoy watching. It is a great reason to turn a visit to Grove into a full weekend at Grand Lake. Grand Lake OK
Carlton Landing: Fall Break and Hallowbaloo
Carlton Landing’s calendar includes weekends October 16–17 and October 23–24, followed by Hallowbaloo Weekend beginning October 30. Carlton Landing
The October 16–17 schedule lists a Friday family game and movie night, Saturday yoga and Pilates, pop-up shops, live music, yard games and food trucks.
Add a walk by Lake Eufaula or time on a porch, and you have a fall getaway without needing a packed itinerary. Check the community calendar for the detailed Hallowbaloo schedule before making plans. Carlton Landing Foundation
More Oklahoma Festivals Worth the Drive
Some of October’s most memorable outings are beyond the major cities.
Poteau BalloonFest, October 16–17, celebrates its 20th year at the LeFlore County Fairgrounds. The event includes hot air balloons, carnival rides, vendors, food and entertainment. Evening balloon glows and tethered rides depend on weather, so keep an eye on organizer updates. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Robbers Cave Fall Festival, October 16–18 near Wilburton, combines arts and crafts, food, amusement rides and entertainment at Robbers Cave State Park. Saturday’s car and truck show adds another reason to make the trip. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Yukon’s Chisholm Trail Festival is October 17 at Mollie Spencer Farm, offering a celebration of Western history close to the Oklahoma City metro. Yukon, OK
Ardmore’s Pecan Harvest Festival takes place October 17 at Buchanan Pecan Farm, adding another seasonal option in southern Oklahoma. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Wewoka’s Sorghum Festival is October 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free festival features vendors, food, a parade and a celebration of local history. Wewoka Sorghum Fest
Duncan’s Boo Fest and Waynoka’s Spooktacular are also scheduled for October 24, giving families in southern and northwestern Oklahoma local ways to celebrate. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Haunted Houses and Trails Across Oklahoma
For those who prefer screams to pumpkin photos, Oklahoma has plenty of choices. Each attraction has its own opening nights, ticket options and age guidance.
Guthrie Haunted Scaregrounds offers indoor and outdoor scares north of Edmond, making it an option for visitors from Guthrie and the Oklahoma City metro. Oklahoma
Wicked Forest of Terror in Oklahoma City takes visitors through an outdoor horror trail with live actors, effects and intense scenes. Check its schedule before visiting. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Tulsa’s Hex House offers three haunted experiences: Hex House, Haunted Overdrive and The Experiment, on select nights during its 2026 season. Tulsa’s Most Terrifying Haunted Attraction
The Haunted Castle Halloween Festival in Muskogee runs Fridays and Saturdays through October 31. Visitors can choose from gentler activities, a haunted hayride and more intense haunted attractions, alongside food, shopping and entertainment. This makes it a useful option for groups whose members have different levels of enthusiasm for being frightened. Visit Muskogee
Lexington Zombie Farm’s seasonal run continues through October 31 on scheduled nights, with a haunted walk through the woods. Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site
Lawton’s Trail of Fear Haunted Scream Park lists 2026 tickets and seasonal attractions for visitors looking for Halloween thrills in southwestern Oklahoma. Lawton, OK
Shawnee’s Bloody Hollow Haunted Trail has an October 17 listing from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Check its calendar for additional nights. Visit Shawnee
Before leaving home, confirm event hours, ticket availability and weather updates directly with the organizer. Seasonal attractions often operate on selected dates.
Find Your Place in Oklahoma With The Agency
The best part of exploring Oklahoma is discovering how differently you can live here. You might love being close to downtown concerts and restaurants, prefer Edmond’s community events, or picture your family spending weekends at Grand Lake or Carlton Landing.
Those experiences matter when choosing a home. A property’s appeal extends beyond its floor plan to the places, people and traditions around it.
As Managing Partner of The Agency Oklahoma, I bring more than 31 years of real estate experience and over $1 billion in career sales volume to helping clients buy and sell across our state. Our team combines local knowledge, personal service and The Agency’s global reach to help clients make their next move with confidence.
Whether you are searching for an Oklahoma City home, an Edmond estate, a Tulsa property or a waterfront retreat, I would welcome the opportunity to help you find a place that fits the way you want to live.
Enjoy October, support our local businesses and take time to explore Oklahoma.
Wyatt Poindexter – The Agency Oklahoma
www.OKLuxuryHomes.com
