Events / Things to Do
Event Spotlight: The Cherokee National Holiday
The Cherokee National Holiday is an annual celebration of the signing of the Cherokee Constitution in 1839. Held over Labor Day Weekend, it is one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting thousands of visitors yearly. During the holiday, people gather to celebrate the Cherokee Nation’s history, culture, and reunification of their families. Activities and events include parades, traditional games, art shows, cultural awareness, and educational events. There’s also a wide range of food and drink vendors.
Events Held in the Surrounding Areas of Fort Gibson Lake
Do you want to find something to do during your visit to the area? Here are some other events to check out throughout the year:
- Azalea Festival (April): This event features thousands of blooming azaleas and the arrival of spring.
- Red Fern Festival (April): A lively street festival with live music, arts and crafts, and food trucks.
- Oklahoma Renaissance Festival (May-June): Medieval-themed event with jousting, costumes, food, and live shows.
- Porter Peach Festival (July): A big small town Oklahoma summer fair centered around peaches and local vendors. Food trucks, fair food, crafts, carnivals, parades, and a car show.
- Muskogee County Fair (Summer): A classic county fair featuring rides, livestock exhibits, and delicious fair food.
- Fort Gibson Historic Auto Show (Summer): Showcases classic cars alongside local vendors, offering a great experience for car enthusiasts.
- Bluegrass & Chili Festival (September): This free event features live bluegrass music, chili cook-offs, vendors, and crafts.
- Smokin’ the Fort BBQ & Chili Cook-Off (September): If you’re a food lover, check out this BBQ competition with vendors and family-friendly activities.
- Halloween Festival at the Castle of Muskogee (October): A spooky celebration with haunted attractions, rides, and themed events for Halloween enthusiasts.
- Castle Christmas (November-December): Celebrate the holidays with this massive Christmas light display and festive activities.
Things to Do During Your Getaway
Our area has countless things to do, see, and experience throughout the year. They include the following:
This prime spot offers concentrated feeding zones below the dam, making it perfect for catching striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass, catfish, and paddlefish.
Spanning 20,000 acres with 225 miles of shoreline, this lake is ideal for fishing, boating, jet skiing, and kayaking. Wildlife watchers can spot bald eagles in winter and deer year-round.
Located near Fort Gibson Dam, the park provides opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, golfing, camping, and lake activities, plus a nature center and scenic trails.
Experience Oklahoma's floating destination. It has over a dozen outfitters to choose from, including Eagle Bluff Resort, Riverbend Floats, and Falcon Floats.
This 17,000-acre preserve features stunning Ozark landscapes, hiking trails, and great opportunities for wildlife photography.
A restored 1800s military post that features original stone buildings, a reconstructed log stockade, and museum exhibits.
Learn more about Cherokee culture and history through fascinating exhibits, a recreated 1710 village, and a genealogical center.
Famous for its beautiful azalea gardens, the park also includes a butterfly house and hosts popular seasonal festivals.
This unique venue is a hub for themed events like the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, Halloween Festival, and Castle Christmas.