Last-minute Mother's Day ideas in Oklahoma, from museums to cruises
Last-minute Mother's Day ideas in Oklahoma, from museums to cruises
Brandy McDonnell, The OklahomanWed, May 6, 2026 at 10:05 AM UTC
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It's time to celebrate Mom, and if you're looking for something to do besides brunch with flowers on the side, you've got options across Oklahoma.
Mother's Day is annually celebrated in the USA on the second Sunday in May, which this year falls on May 10. That's a busy time in the Sooner State, with graduations and other school events crowding the calendar.
Fortunately, even if you've waited until the last minute to make Mother's Day plans, there's plenty of things to do with Mom this weekend in Oklahoma, including free admission to museums, free festivals and other special events.
Families look for scavenger hit items in a Chihuly during the Noon Year's Eve Eve sponsored by MetroFamily Magazine at Oklahoma City Museum of Art in Oklahoma City, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.Oklahoma museums offer free admission and activities for Mother's Day weekend
For Mother's Day, several museums across the Sooner State are offering free admission for everyone or for Mom on Sunday, while others are planning special activities:
Oklahoma Hall of Fame Second Saturdays, OKC -
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9.
Where: 1400 Classen Dr., Oklahoma City.
Information: https://www.oklahomahof.com/program/second-ohof-saturdays.
The second Saturday of every month means free admission and free fun activities featuring an Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductee.
Oklahoma Contemporary Second Saturday: Make with Mom, OKC -
When: 1 to 4 p.m. May 9.
Where: 11 NW 11th, OKC.
Information: https://oklahomacontemporary.org/events/second-saturday.
Admission is always free to Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, but during Second Saturdays, visitors can create a take-home art project inspired by the exhibitions, pop in for a family gallery chat and explore an Art Pack full of all-ages activities.
For this second Saturday of the month, visitors can make decoupage pots with Mom, along with exploring the exhibits "Jakian Parks: The Black Land" and "Anthony McCall: Solid Light."
From 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, the arts center will offer a Sensory-Friendly Hour, providing a more comfortable, accessible environment for guests to experience the activities at their own pace.
A youngster speaks with vendors at the Chickasaw Cultural Center's 15th anniversary celebration in 2025.Chickasaw Cultural Center's Ishki' Day: Celebrate Mom, Sulphur -
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9.
Where: 867 Cooper Memorial Dr., Sulphur.
Information: https://www.chickasawculturalcenter.com/experience/2026-1/events/2026-ishki-day.
Admission is free Saturday for moms, and activities in the Anoli' Theater include stomp dance demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., a free screening of “Brave” at noon, a free showing of "Steel Magnolias" at 3 p.m. and more. Mothers will get a free cookie in the Aaimpa' Café, 20% off in the Aachompa' Gift Shop and free entry into the Chikasha Poya Exhibit Center. A Mother’s Day necklace make-and-take activity is planned in the Chikasha Inchokka' Traditional Village.
A detail of the Putti Installation is shown among the collection of glass art by Dale Chihuly at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art in Oklahoma City, Okla. on Thursday, June 3, 2022.Oklahoma City Museum of Art's May Access for All -
When: Noon to 5 p.m. May 10.
Where: 415 Couch Dr., downtown OKC.
Information: https://www.okcmoa.com/visit/events/may-access-for-all-2.
Through the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program, the OKC Museum of Art offers free admission to its galleries for all ages on the second Sunday of each month. To reserve free tickets, go to https://www.okcmoa.com/visit/events/may-access-for-all-2.
Cynthia and Raelynn Woods draw during Earth Day at Science Museum Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.Moms Get in Free at Science Museum Oklahoma, OKC -
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 10.
Where: 2020 Remington Pl., OKC.
Information: https://www.sciencemuseumok.org.
On Sunday, mothers receive free admission with the purchase of a child’s ticket, with a limit of one complimentary admission per transaction. This offer is available for tickets purchased on-site at the museum.
OKC National Memorial & Museum's Mother's Day free admission -
When: Noon to 5 p.m. May 10. Ticket sales end one hour before close.
Where: 620 N Harvey Ave., downtown OKC.
Information: https://memorialmuseum.com/events/mothers-day-free-admission.
On Sunday, moms receive free admission to the museum when accompanied by a paid guest. The Outdoor Symbolic Memorial is free and open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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Happy Mother’s Day at Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa -
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10.
Where: 2727 S Rockford Rd., Tulsa.
Information: https://philbrook.org/calendar/happy-mothers-day-2026-05-10.
Mothers receive free general admission. Free admission tickets are available at the door only. No advance tickets are required.
The OKC Flower and Garden Festival is set for May 13 in the Myriad Botanical Gardens.Free festivals planned in Oklahoma for Mother's Day weekend
Several free festivals are planned in Oklahoma over Mother's Day weekend:
Arts for All Festival, Lawton -
When: May 8-10.
Where: Shepler Park, 406 W Gore Blvd., Lawton.
Information: https://lawtonartsforall.org/2026-festival.
This free fest is featuring fine artists, live entertainment, hands-on children's art activities, a beer garden, food court, esports and more, while celebrating America's 250th birthday.
The OKC Flower and Garden Festival takes place annually in May in the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown Oklahoma City. The free event features more than 50 vendors with a focus on flowers, herbs and succulents.Flower & Garden Festival, OKC -
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno, downtown OKC.
Information: https://myriadgardens.org/events/flower-garden-festival-2026.
This free fest brings together more than 70 vendors offering an array of flowers, herbs, vegetables, native plants, succulents and ornamental grasses for Oklahoma gardens. Visitors can stroll through the outdoor gardens while discovering unique garden art, handmade jewelry, soaps and other artisan goods, plus food and refreshments from local vendors.
Covered in Color, Midwest City -
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 9.
Where: W.P. "Bill" Atkinson Park at Town Center Plaza, 302 W Mid-America Blvd., Midwest City.
Information: https://ok-midwestcity.civicplus.com/389/Covered-in-Color.
The family-friendly fest includes food trucks, crafts vendors, artists, Touch-A-Truck, music, face painting, henna, activities for all ages and more.
Bottles of wines and spirits will be for sale from several vendors at the Stillwater Wine & Craft Festival. Photo by Dave Cathey/The OklahomanStillwater Wine & Craft Festival -
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9.
Where: Payne County Expo Center, 4518 Expo Circle E., Stillwater.
Information: https://heirdevents.com/calendar.
The free festival features more than 75 vendors of wine, beer, crafts, home décor, woodworking, jewelry, clothing, food, art and more.
Oklahoma City Ballet's spring 2026 "Shorts" program includes the North American premiere of Edward Clug’s "Radio & Juliet." Performance dates are May 8-10, 2026, at Civic Center Music Hall.More special events in Oklahoma offer ways to celebrate Mother's Day
Several other special events across Oklahoma this weekend offer entertaining ways to celebrate Mother's Day:
OKC Ballet's 'Shorts: A Night of Premieres' -
When: 7:30 p.m. May 8-9 and 2 p.m. May 10.
Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker, downtown OKC.
Tickets: https://www.okcballet.org/performance/shorts-26.
Oklahoma City Ballet closes its 2025-2026 season with a diverse mixed bill of three short ballets. "A Night of Premieres" includes the world premiere of Natasha Adorlee’s "The River," which reimagines the soulful music of the late Otis Redding (1941-1967); the North American premiere of Edward Clug’s "Radio & Juliet," which sets William Shakespeare's tragic tale to the iconic sounds of Radiohead; and OKC Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye's Oklahoma premiere of his "Tone it Bach."
Mothers Day Dessert Cruises, OKC -
When: 1 and 4 p.m. May 10.
Where: Regatta Landing, 701 S Lincoln Blvd., downtown OKC.
Information: https://www.embarkok.com/ferry/specialty-cruises.
The two 90-minute round-trip cruises on the Oklahoma River will serve up Champagne and mimosas at a cash bar, plus complimentary bite-sized desserts.
Muskogee's 2026 Renaissance Festival is set for from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays April 25-May 31, plus Memorial Day, May 25, at the Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Rd. in Muskogee.Renaissance Festival, Muskogee -
When: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays April 25-May 31, plus Memorial Day, May 25.
Where: Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W. Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee.
Information: https://okcastle.com.
Family-friendly activities at the 31st annual event include jousting tournaments, performances by traveling acrobats, Bird of Prey exhibitions, festive food and shopping for handcrafted items.
OKC Zoo's Breakfast with the Animals -
When: 8:30 p.m. May 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Where: 2000 Remington Pl., OKC.
Tickets: http://okczoo.org/breakfast.
Hungry families can assemble in the immersive Expedition Africa habitat for a breakfast buffet, animal ambassador presentations, caretaker chats and children’s activities provided by Chick-fil-A. Attendees also have the chance to participate in an animal feeding with a giraffe, Galapagos tortoise or flamingo. Following the event, ticketholders also have the option to stay until closing to explore the rest of the zoo.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Looking for fun Mother's Day events in Oklahoma? Here is our list
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
