McAlester Annual Events Calendar: Festivals, Rodeos & Concerts

McAlester and southeast Oklahoma host big events all year — pro rodeos, one of the country’s oldest Armed Forces Day parades, the Italian Festival, free Dancing Rabbit concerts, the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival, disc golf tournaments, and holiday parades. Here’s the yearly calendar by month, so you can plan your trip and book your room early.

Dates change from year to year, so we list each event’s usual timing. Always confirm exact dates with the organizer or the McAlester events calendar before you travel. Heading to the Expo Center? See our Southeast Expo Center events guide.

January – March

• StriKinG Fight Nights (formerly River City Fights) — Several fight nights a year (winter, summer, and fall). Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA fight cards that bring fighters, teams, and fans in for the night.
• Pittsburg County Junior Livestock Show — Last week of February. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. 4-H and FFA exhibitors and their families from across the county.
• Outlaw 100 Trail Races — Mid-February. Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton. Ultra trail races from 5K up to 100+ miles — runners and crews travel in from out of state.
• Hi-Lo ProRodeo (PRCA) — Early March, Friday & Saturday. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Billed as Oklahoma’s largest winter PRCA rodeo — two nights of pro rodeo that fill McAlester rooms.
• Clark Bass Invitational (high school track) — Late March, a Friday. Hook Eales Stadium, McAlester. Visiting high school track teams, coaches, and parents.

April – June

• McAlester Valley Scottish Rite Reunions — Spring (April) and fall (October). McAlester Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Masons travel in from across the region for multi-day reunions.
• Armed Forces Day Parade & Luncheon — First Saturday in May (luncheon at MCAAP the day before). Downtown McAlester & McAlester Army Ammunition Plant. One of the oldest Armed Forces Day parades in the country, held every year since World War II.
• McAlester Italian Festival — A Friday & Saturday in May. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Started in 1971 by the family behind Pete’s Place in Krebs — one of the region’s biggest family festivals.
• Eufaula Heritage Days Festival — Mid-May. Posey Park, Eufaula. Parade, car show, poker run, and a concert in downtown Eufaula.
• Dancing Rabbit Music Festival — Free summer concerts on one Saturday each in May, June, and July, plus a November show. Downtown McAlester. A free outdoor concert series that brings national touring acts and music fans from across the region.
• McAlester Regional Airport Open House & Fly-In — Held June 2026 — watch for future dates. McAlester Regional Airport. A community open house with visiting pilots and aircraft.
• Wilburton Open Rodeo — Mid to late June, Friday & Saturday. Wilburton Rodeo Arena. A regional open rodeo just east of McAlester.
• Carlton Landing Porchfest — Father’s Day weekend. Carlton Landing, Lake Eufaula. Live music on the porches of the lakeside town of Carlton Landing.

July – September

• McAlester Freedom Fest & Fireworks — July 4th. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Independence Day celebration with fireworks and family entertainment.
• Fourth of July at Lake Eufaula — July 4th weekend. Eufaula and Carlton Landing, Lake Eufaula. Fireworks over the lake on several nights — bring the boat, we have the parking.
• Whole Hawg Days, Rodeo & Poker Run — Last full weekend of July. Posey Park and marinas, Eufaula. One of Lake Eufaula’s biggest weekends — a BBQ cook-off, rodeo, and a poker run with hundreds of boats.
• McAlester Rodeo (McAlester Roundup Club) — Late August, Friday & Saturday. MRUC Arena, McAlester. Hometown rodeo with family favorites like mutton bustin’.
• Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival — Labor Day weekend. Tvshka Homma Capitol Grounds, Tuskahoma. One of the largest tribal festivals in the country — concerts, sports tournaments, and cultural events.
• Pittsburg County Free Fair — Early to mid September (about five days). Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. The county fair — 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors and families, one of the busiest lodging weeks of the year.
• Latimer County Free Fair — Early to mid September. Wilburton. The Latimer County fair, with 4-H and FFA exhibitors and families.
• Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival — A Saturday in early to mid September. Downtown Eufaula. Wine, art, and live music near Lake Eufaula.
• Oklahoma Homestead Rendezvous — Late September. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Homesteading, farming, and pioneer-skills gathering that draws visitors from across the region.

October

• Buffalo Run Disc Golf Tournament — Fall, usually early October. Buffalo Run Pro Disc Golf Course, McAlester. A PDGA-sanctioned tournament billed as Oklahoma’s largest — hundreds of players, many from out of state.
• BierKraft’s Oktoberfest — First Saturday in October. BierKraft, McAlester. Craft beer and German fare at McAlester’s local brewery.
• Steampunk Stampede — October. Historic Olde Town McAlester. Costumes, makers, and vendors in McAlester’s historic downtown.
• The Haunted Path — Friday nights in October. Choctaw Casino McAlester. A Halloween walk-through attraction just up Hwy 69 from the hotel.
• The Original Fall Festival at Robbers Cave — Third weekend in October. Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton. Hundreds of craft vendors and a classic car show in the fall colors of Robbers Cave.
• Central Plains Stone Age Fair — October. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Native American artifact collectors and exhibitors from across the region.
• McAlester Oktoberfest — Last Friday & Saturday in October. Southeast Expo Center, McAlester. Food, vendors, contests, and hot-air balloons — a fast-growing fall favorite.
• Lake Eufaula Fishing Tournaments — Spring through fall, including big-bass events in the fall. Lake Eufaula. Anglers and boat teams — free boat and trailer parking with your stay.

November & December

• Dancing Rabbit Music Festival (fall show) — A Saturday in November. Downtown McAlester. The concert series’ fall show.
• Veterans Day Ceremony (VFW Post 1098) — November 11. VFW Post 1098, McAlester. McAlester honors its veterans and MCAAP community.
• Hartshorne Veterans Day Parade & Luncheon — A Saturday near November 11. Downtown Hartshorne. A veterans parade, luncheon, and WWII exhibit, about 15 minutes from McAlester.
• Eastern Oklahoma State College Homecoming — Early to mid November. EOSC, Wilburton. Alumni and families return to Wilburton for homecoming week.
• Lights on Eufaula — Friday before Thanksgiving. Downtown Eufaula. Holiday lights and shopping kick off the season.
• Festival of Trees & Lights — Lighting during Thanksgiving week, on display through December. Arvest Park, McAlester. A holiday light display for the whole family.
• Light Up McAlester Christmas Parade — Second Thursday in December, evening. Carl Albert Pkwy to Choctaw Ave, McAlester. McAlester’s hometown Christmas parade.
• Eufaula Tree Lighting & Lighted Christmas Parade — First Saturday in December. Main Street, Eufaula. Downtown Eufaula’s holiday tree lighting and lighted parade.

Event Lodging FAQs

Where should I stay for events at the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester?

Quality Inn & Suites McAlester on Hwy 69 is a short drive from the Southeast Expo Center, with free hot breakfast from 6–9 AM and the largest hotel parking lot in McAlester — free for trucks, trailers, and RVs.

When is the McAlester Italian Festival?

The McAlester Italian Festival is held on a Friday and Saturday in May at the Southeast Expo Center. Check the festival’s official site for each year’s exact dates.

When is the Hi-Lo ProRodeo in McAlester?

The Hi-Lo ProRodeo is held in early March, on a Friday and Saturday, at the Southeast Expo Center in McAlester.

What is the Dancing Rabbit Music Festival?

The Dancing Rabbit Music Festival is a free outdoor concert series in downtown McAlester, held on one Saturday each in May, June, and July, plus a show in November.

Do McAlester hotels fill up during big events?

Yes. Rodeo weekends, the Italian Festival, the Pittsburg County Free Fair, the Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival, and fall tournaments fill local hotels quickly, so book as soon as your dates are set.

Can I park a horse trailer, boat, or RV at the hotel?

Yes. Quality Inn & Suites McAlester on Hwy 69 has the largest hotel parking lot in McAlester, with free parking for semi-trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs for hotel guests.

Book Early for Event Weekends

The biggest weekends sell out first. As soon as you know your dates, reserve your room — then enjoy the event, park easily, and start every morning with a hot breakfast.