Oklahoma State Holidays

Official Oklahoma State Holidays and local observances vary across the year, making it essential to have a reliable local calendar. While federal closures apply across the United States, Oklahoma officially recognizes unique state legal holidays and community observances deeply rooted in its rich Great Plains heritage, foundational Native American history, and vibrant pioneer and oil-boom legacy.

Select a section below to explore official closure dates, discover top state parks, browse annual cultural festivals, and dive into fascinating state facts!

Oklahoma State Flag

Bank Closures & Schedules

• Commercial Banking Schedules – While national banks follow the standard Federal Reserve calendar, local bank branches and state-chartered credit unions across the state typically mirror official state government holiday closures. Always call your local branch ahead of time to verify specific drive-thru and lobby hours on state-specific holidays.

Oklahoma State Holidays

Here is the summary of the official Oklahoma State Holidays closures that differ from the standard U.S. Federal Holiday schedule:

• November 27, 2026, and November 26, 2027: Day After Thanksgiving (Rule: Granted annually as a paid state agency holiday closing state government offices on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day)

Local Oklahoma Observance Days

These are designated commemorative periods across the state that are officially recognized by Oklahoma state statutes to honor historical figures, cultural heritage, and community milestones:

• April 19: Oklahoma City Bombing Remembrance Day (Held annually on April 19th as an official state observance to commemorate the victims, survivors, and emergency responders of the 1995 bombing)

• April 22: Oklahoma Day (Held annually on April 22nd to commemorate the historic 1889 Land Run that opened the Oklahoma Lands for settlement)

• November 16: Oklahoma Statehood Day (Rule: Fixed annual historical date celebrating November 16, 1907, when Oklahoma was officially admitted to the Union as the 46th state)

Weather & Environment-Related Ohio Observances:

These designated climate, wildlife, and natural hazard awareness periods serve as critical dates for emergency response, municipal safety drills, and seasonal resource tracking: (2027 Dates TBA)

• March 22–28, 2026: Severe Weather Awareness Week (Rule: Coordinated annually in late March by emergency management divisions and the NWS to prepare households for peak spring tornado and severe thunderstorm tracking)

Map of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Trivia

• The Inventor of the Modern Parking Meter: The world's very first coin-operated parking meter, known as the Park-O-Meter No. 1, was invented by Carl Magee and officially installed on the streets of Oklahoma City on July 16, 1935, to manage downtown traffic.

• The Birthplace of the Iconic Shopping Cart: Humpty Dumpty supermarket owner Sylvan Goldman revolutionized the grocery industry in Oklahoma City in 1937 by inventing the folding basket carrier, an ingenious design that evolved into the modern rolling shopping carts used worldwide today.

• The Heart of the Longest Continuous Stretch of Route 66: Oklahoma contains more driveable miles of the historic "Mother Road" than any other state in the nation, boasting over four hundred miles of continuous vintage neon signs, historic roadside diners, and classic concrete bridges.

State Facts, History & Symbols

Explore the core identity and rich heritage of the region with our comprehensive guide to its official state history, symbols, and unique characteristics:

• Oklahoma became the 46th State on November 16, 1907

• Oklahoma State Abbreviation: OK

• Oklahoma State Capital: Oklahoma City

• Oklahoma State Amphibian: Bullfrog

• Oklahoma State Animal: American Buffalo (Bison)

• Oklahoma State Beverage: Milk

• Oklahoma State Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

• Oklahoma State Butterfly: Black Swallowtail

• Oklahoma State Cartoon Character: Gusty

• Oklahoma State Colors: Green and White

• Oklahoma State Fish: White Bass (Sand Bass)

• Oklahoma State Flower: Oklahoma Rose

• Oklahoma State Floral Emblem: Mistletoe

• Oklahoma State Wildflower: Indian Blanket

• Oklahoma State Fossil: Saurophaganax maximus

• Oklahoma State Fruit: Strawberry

• Oklahoma State Fur-bearing Animal: Common Raccoon

• Oklahoma State Game Animal: White-tailed Deer

• Oklahoma State Game Bird: Wild Turkey

• Oklahoma State Gemstone: Hourglass Selenite Crystal

• Oklahoma State Grass: Indiangrass

• Oklahoma State Insect: Honeybee

• Oklahoma State Meal: Fried okra, cornbread, barbecue pork, squash, biscuits, sausage and gravy, grits, corn, black-eyed peas, chicken-fried steak, strawberries, and pecan pie

• Oklahoma State Monument: Golden Driller

• Oklahoma State Musical Instrument: Fiddle

• Oklahoma State Nickname: The Sooner State

• Oklahoma State Reptile: Collared Lizard (Mountain Boomer)

• Oklahoma State Rock: Rose Rock (Barite Rose)

• Oklahoma State Soil: Port Silt Loam

• Oklahoma State Song: "Oklahoma!"

• Oklahoma State Tree: Redbud

• Oklahoma State Vegetable: Watermelon

Overview of Oklahoma

Oklahoma, proudly known as the Sooner State, is a culturally diverse South-Central destination anchored by the wide currents of the Arkansas River and the ancient ridges of the Wichita Mountains.

Renowned for its historic Route 66 highway heritage, iconic Native American tribal headquarters, and the rolling prairie ranchlands of the Osage Hills, the state seamlessly blends bustling oil-era metropolitan centers with thousands of miles of shoreline across massive man-made lakes and dense pine forests.

Watch the tourism showcase below to explore the historic Route 66 heritage tracks, vibrant Native American cultural centers, and expansive lakeside shorelines across Oklahoma:

Oklahoma State Festivals and Events

Discover the most popular celebrations in the region with our curated list of the top 5 festivals and events, complete with their verified dates and annual scheduling rules.

• April 20–25, 2027: Festival of the Arts at Bicentennial Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Date Rule: Held annually over a six-day block from Tuesday through Sunday in late April, serving as a signature rite of spring that brings together hundreds of national visual artists, international food vendors, and non-stop performing arts stages)

• June 10–13, 2027: DeadCenter Film Festival at various downtown theaters and screens in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Date Rule: Held annually over a four-day block starting on the second Thursday of June, standing as Oklahoma's largest film festival and an Oscar-qualifying event showcasing independent movies, documentaries, and short films)

• September 16–26, 2027: Oklahoma State Fair at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Date Rule: Opens annually on the third Thursday of September and runs for eleven consecutive days, operating as a massive exposition featuring agricultural showcases, livestock competitions, family entertainment, a huge carnival midway, and diverse food vendors)

• September 24–26, 2027: Oklahoma Regatta Festival at the Boathouse District along the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Date Rule: Held annually over the last full weekend of September, drawing top collegiate and corporate rowing teams for a multi-day watersports celebration featuring night racing, kayak competitions, family festivals, and fireworks)

• October 9–10, 2026 and October 8–9, 2027: Watonga Cheese Festival across the downtown business district in Watonga, Oklahoma. (Date Rule: Celebrated every year on the second full weekend of October since 1976, drawing massive crowds to honor the town's historic cheese-making heritage with cheese tastings, an art show, a parade, a classic car show, and community competitive runs)

National Parks in Oklahoma

Oklahoma features a magnificent collection of diverse historic gems, cultural preserves, and ecological wonders managed under the federal National Park Service (NPS) system:

• Chickasaw National Recreation Area: Located in Sulphur, this historic park preserves a beautiful oasis of mineral springs, cool freshwater streams, and scenic forested trails originally established as Platt National Park.

• Oklahoma City National Memorial: Situated in downtown Oklahoma City, this deeply moving symbolic site honors the victims, survivors, and rescuers of the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

• Washita Battlefield National Historic Site: Located near Cheyenne, this poignant site preserves the area of the 1868 dawn clash between the U.S. 7th Cavalry and the Southern Cheyenne village of Chief Black Kettle, offering a profound look into the history of the Indian Wars.

For additional information on National Parks and historic trails across the state, visit the official National Park Service Oklahoma Portal.

State Parks in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma State Park System features an exceptional public network of outdoor destinations across pristine mountain ridges, expansive reservoir lakes, and striking sand dunes. Here are the Top 5 most visited or unique state parks:

• Beavers Bend State Park: Operating as a premier resort destination in the mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, this popular park features towering pine trees, crystal-clear waters along the Mountain Fork River, and the scenic shores of Broken Bow Lake.

• Great Salt Plains State Park: Boasting a unique geological landscape, this extraordinary park features a massive, flat salt plain where visitors can hand-dig for rare, hourglass-shaped selenite crystals found nowhere else on earth.

• Lake Murray State Park: Serving as Oklahoma's very first and largest state park, this historic destination features a beautiful clear lake, an iconic stone look-out tower hand-built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and a premier resort lodge.

• Robbers Cave State Park: Hidden deep within the rugged San Bois Mountains, this historic outlaw sanctuary features a notorious hidden cave once used by Jesse James and Belle Starr, surrounded by dramatic sandstone cliffs and hidden lakes.

• Roman Nose State Park: Nestled deep within a beautiful canyon oasis, this highly visited park features natural gypsum springs, deep canyon hiking trails, and a premier public golf course winding through the red rocks.

You can explore the full interactive public map and check localized entry permits directly through the official Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department Portal.

Oklahoma Resources

• Official State Government Portal: ok.gov

• Official Oklahoma Tourism Website: travelok.com

• Official U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Oklahoma: census.gov

• Official Oklahoma State Wikipedia Page: wikipedia.org

Pinterest Board of Oklahoma

Holidays and Observances Oklahoma Pinterest Board – Follow our dedicated visual board for hand-picked inspiration, regional festival galleries, historical Native American and Western traditions, and scenic travel highlights across the Sooner State. Discover everything that makes celebrating life in Oklahoma unique!