OKC Weekenders Guide 17-18 Oct
Updated: 7 days ago
Things to Do Around OKC: Stardate 43780.8 — Pumpkins, Fall Festivals & Other Weekend Fun
Pumpkins, Fall Festivals, Church Events & Other Weekend Fun
I’m using AI to search for things to do around the OKC area. I figure it’s a good way to practice what my grandkids are doing online and, hopefully, learn how to Twittertoc the FaceSpace properly.
There’s a lot of stuff out there worth checking out, but let’s be real—not all of us have millions of dollars sitting around to blow on every shiny new thing.
This weekend, I'm leaning into pumpkins, fall festivals, church events, and a few other outings that look interesting. Whether you're taking the grandchildren somewhere to burn off energy or just looking for an excuse to get out of the house, there should be something here for you.
This isn’t a complete list by any stretch. I’m just sharing what I can find for the amount of time it takes me to hit a button. If you come across something else that looks interesting, please tell us about it!
So, here we go!
🎃 PUMPKINS & FALL FESTIVALS
1. Pumpkinville: Road to Route 66
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.Sunday, October 18: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., downtown OKC
Pumpkinville is back for another weekend, and this year's theme celebrates Route 66.
Expect thousands of pumpkins and gourds, seasonal displays, Route 66-inspired decorations, family activities, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Admission is approximately $9–$10, depending on how you purchase tickets. Children 2 and under are free.
This is a good option if you want the pumpkin experience without driving out to a farm. You can also make a day of it downtown.
2. Orr Family Farm Fall Festival
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.Sunday, October 18: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.14400 S. Western Ave., Oklahoma City
If the grandchildren want pumpkins, rides, animals, mazes, and enough activities to keep them busy until bedtime, Orr Family Farm is worth considering.
The farm features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a corn maze, carnival rides, animal attractions, slides, and other seasonal activities.
Admission varies depending on the package you choose, and pumpkins are sold separately.
Fair warning: This is the sort of place where you go intending to buy one pumpkin and come home having funded three additional childhood memories.
3. WINGS Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch
Friday, October 16–Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.Sunday, October 18: 1–6 p.m.1349 E. Wilshire Blvd., Oklahoma City
This is the final weekend!
WINGS is wrapping up its fall festival, so this is your last chance this season to enjoy its pumpkin activities.
The festival features pumpkin train rides, inflatables, a petting zoo, games, pumpkins for sale, and handmade items created by WINGS members.
Admission is $8, with a family four-pack for $28. Children 2 and under are free.
Your admission also supports WINGS and its programs for people with disabilities. That's a nice bonus when you're looking for family fun.
4. Pumpkin Patch at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–noon for the special event below300 N. Air Depot Blvd., Midwest City
🐶 Pumpkins and Pooches
Remember the church pumpkin festival I mentioned last week? St. Matthew's pumpkin patch is still a good stop, and there's an extra reason to visit Saturday morning.
Pumpkins and Pooches invites visitors to meet adoptable animals through Midwest City Animal Welfare from 10 a.m. to noon.
You can purchase a pumpkin while supporting local nonprofits serving eastern Oklahoma County—and perhaps meet a four-legged friend who needs a home.
This is a lovely example of the kind of community activity I want to highlight: pumpkins, local organizations, and animals looking for families.
And don't forget the bigger idea behind the church's “Pumpkins with a Purpose” effort: supporting community needs.
If you're in Midwest City, put this one on your Saturday morning list.
5. Chester's Pumpkin Patch — Piedmont
5201 Cimarron Rd. NW, Piedmont
If you prefer a traditional farm-style pumpkin outing, Chester's is another option to investigate.
The pumpkin patch features a bale maze, hay mountain, petting zoo, tractor and pony rides, and other family activities.
The fall season runs through November 1. Check the farm's official page for current weekend hours, activity availability, and admission before heading out.
6. Parkhurst Pumpkin Ranch — Arcadia
720 S. Henney Rd., Arcadia
Parkhurst is another destination for families who want more than a quick stop to pick up a pumpkin.
Seasonal attractions include a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, tractor rides, mazes, games, and other farm activities.
It's a bit of a drive, but it can make a nice fall outing if you're ready to get out of the city.
Check the current hours and ticket prices before you leave.
🍂 MAJOR FALL FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
7. Red Earth FallFest 2026
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7th St., downtown OKC
Red Earth FallFest is moving to Scissortail Park this year, with more room for Native artists, families, and the Youth Powwow.
The festival celebrates Native American art and culture and offers an opportunity to enjoy Indigenous artists, crafts, and cultural activities in a downtown setting.
This is a good one for families who want something educational as well as entertaining.
Check the official event listing for the complete schedule and any admission details.
8. Stockyards Stampede
Saturday, October 17: approximately 10 a.m.–4 p.m.Historic Stockyards City, Oklahoma City
Y'all ready for a little cowboy culture?
The Stockyards Stampede brings Western Oklahoma to life with a Longhorn parade, live music, Western demonstrations, vendors, ranch animals, and a Made in Oklahoma Market.
Kids can enjoy activities in the Kids Corral, including pony rides, face painting, dummy roping, and agricultural activities.
This is a good way to spend a Saturday learning a little about Oklahoma's ranching heritage while enjoying the atmosphere of historic Stockyards City.
And yes, the Longhorn parade sounds like something worth seeing at least once.
9. Chisholm Trail Festival
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Chisholm Trail Park, 500 W. Vandament Ave., Yukon
Yukon is getting into the Western spirit, too.
The Chisholm Trail Festival celebrates the history of the cattle-drive era with a family-friendly, Old West atmosphere.
Expect historical activities, demonstrations, entertainment, and opportunities to learn about the trail that helped shape Oklahoma's history.
If the Stockyards Stampede sounds good but you'd rather head west, this is another option to check out.
10. OK!toberfest
October 15–18Oklahoma State Fair Park, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd., Oklahoma City
A little German food and festival atmosphere, anyone?
OK!toberfest brings traditional German-inspired food, entertainment, beer, and wine to the Fair Park.
Expect favorites such as bratwurst and sauerkraut, along with festival entertainment and an Oktoberfest atmosphere.
Saturday runs into the evening, and Sunday features the inaugural Long Dog Derby for dachshunds.
Yes, that's right: wiener dogs racing. If that doesn't sound entertaining, I'm not sure what would.
Check the official website for tickets, hours, and the entertainment schedule.
⛪ CHURCHES & COMMUNITY EVENTS
I like giving church festivals a special shout-out because they're often a good way to find local family activities while supporting organizations that serve their communities.
11. St. Matthew's United Methodist Church — Midwest City
Saturday, October 17: 10 a.m.–noon for Pumpkins and Pooches
Stop by the pumpkin patch, purchase a pumpkin, and meet adoptable animals from Midwest City Animal Welfare.
The church's pumpkin effort supports local nonprofit work in eastern Oklahoma County through its “Pumpkins with a Purpose” theme.
It's not just about decorating the porch. It's about helping the community, too.
12. St. Patrick Catholic Church Fall Carnival
Sunday, October 18: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.2121 N. Portland Ave., Oklahoma City
Here's another church-sponsored event for the list!
St. Patrick Catholic Church is hosting a community fall carnival with games, food, prizes, and family activities.
Admission is listed at $10. The church is also advertising a raffle for a 2026 Chevrolet Trax.
This could be a nice Sunday outing for families who want carnival fun without making a full day of driving out to a farm.
As always, check the church's current event information for admission details and the full activity schedule.
👻 HALLOWEEN FUN
13. Haunt the Zoo
Saturday, October 17Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Pl., OKC
The Oklahoma City Zoo's annual Haunt the Zoo event is back for Halloween season.
Families can enjoy a trick-or-treat trail, themed displays, photo opportunities, and Halloween activities while visiting the zoo.
This is a good option for younger children who want to dress up and collect treats without getting into the really scary haunted-house stuff.
Check the zoo's official page for ticket information, event hours, and the current day's schedule.
14. Frontier City Kids Boo Fest
Select dates through October 3111501 N. I-35 Service Road, Oklahoma City
Kids Boo Fest offers daytime Halloween fun with treats, characters, and seasonal entertainment.
It's a family-friendly option for children who aren't quite ready for the scarier nighttime attractions.
Frontier City also runs Fright Fest on select nights for those who prefer their Halloween with a little more screaming.
Check the park calendar for hours and admission.
🧺 FARMERS MARKETS & LOCAL SHOPPING
Sometimes the best weekend activity is just wandering around a market, buying something good to eat, and pretending you planned the whole thing.
Edmond Outdoor Farmers Market
Saturday, October 17: 8 a.m.–1 p.m.Downtown Edmond
Shop local produce, baked goods, handmade items, and other offerings from area vendors.
Farmers Market at Scissortail Park
Saturday, October 17: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.Scissortail Park, downtown OKC
This producer-focused market offers locally grown produce and other food products, along with items from area makers.
You could pair it with Red Earth FallFest, which is also at Scissortail Park later in the morning.
OKC Farmers Public Market
Saturday, October 17: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.311 S. Klein Ave., Oklahoma City
Find produce, meats, dairy, honey, baked goods, canned goods, and other local products.
The market also offers a Seniors First shopping hour from 9–10 a.m.
📅 HOW I'D PLAN THE WEEKEND
Saturday, October 17
Morning
St. Matthew's Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkins and Pooches in Midwest City
Edmond Outdoor Farmers Market
Stockyards Stampede
Chisholm Trail Festival in Yukon
Late morning and afternoon
Red Earth FallFest at Scissortail Park
Pumpkinville downtown
WINGS Fall Festival, on its final weekend
Orr Family Farm
Evening
OK!toberfest at Fair Park
Orr Family Farm, open late
Heard on Hurd in downtown Edmond, scheduled for 6–10 p.m.
Sunday, October 18
Pumpkinville, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Orr Family Farm, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
WINGS Fall Festival, 1–6 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church Fall Carnival, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
OK!toberfest, including the Long Dog Derby
Frontier City Kids Boo Fest, if the park's schedule and tickets work for you
🎃 MY SHORT LIST
If I had to narrow the choices down:
Best community-minded pumpkin stop: St. Matthew's in Midwest City
Best downtown fall experience: Pumpkinville
Best cultural event: Red Earth FallFest
Best Oklahoma cowboy experience: Stockyards Stampede
Best Western-history outing: Chisholm Trail Festival in Yukon
Best food-and-festival atmosphere: OK!toberfest
Best church-sponsored Sunday outing: St. Patrick Catholic Church Fall Carnival
Best last-chance pumpkin festival: WINGS
Best Halloween activity for younger children: Haunt the Zoo or Kids Boo Fest
And remember, this is a list of possibilities, not a command to spend the entire weekend driving around Oklahoma.
Pick one or two things that sound interesting, check the weather and admission prices, and go have some fun.
If you know of another church pumpkin festival, trunk-or-treat, fall festival, or inexpensive community event, please let me know. Those are exactly the kinds of things I want to include.
Happy fall, y'all! May your cider be warm, your pumpkins be round, your hayrides be dry, and your grandchildren keep their social media tutorials to themselves until Monday.
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