Picture a late fall morning in the Ouachita woods: a fiddler tuning up near the Forest Heritage Center, a woodturner shaping a bowl in front of a small crowd, and the smell of fresh doughnuts drifting between craft booths. That is the Beavers Bend Folk Festival, and in 2026 it returns to Broken Bow on November 13 to 15. Admission is free, the setting is one of the prettiest corners of Oklahoma, and a weekend here makes an easy reason to slow down before the holidays.
This guide covers what to expect, how to plan the days, and how to turn one festival visit into a full getaway.
What the Beavers Bend Folk Festival Is
The Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show is an annual celebration of turn-of-the-century crafts, folk music, and hands-on demonstrations. It is presented by the Forest Heritage Center Board of Directors and held at the Forest Heritage Center inside Beavers Bend State Park, at 4350 S Hwy 259A in Broken Bow.
The festival is juried and centered on original, handmade work. According to the Oklahoma Forest Heritage Center, mass-produced and resold items are not accepted, so what you see is made by the person standing at the booth. Oklahoma Tourism lists nearly 80 vendors and exhibitors, and projects around 16,000 visitors over the weekend.
Festival Dates, Hours, and Admission
Here are the details to put on your calendar:
- Dates: Friday, November 13 through Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Hours: Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Admission and parking: Free
- Getting around: Shuttle buses carry visitors between the parking area and the festival grounds
- Location: Forest Heritage Center, Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Schedules and performer lineups can change, so check the festival page at okfhc.org or call the Forest Heritage Center at 580-494-6497 before you go.
What to See and Do at the Festival
The best way to enjoy the festival is to wander slowly and stop often. Past festivals have featured demonstrations in woodturning, basket weaving, quilting, papermaking, and blacksmithing, along with handmade items such as birdhouses, silversmith jewelry, and beeswax candles.
Music is a highlight. Folk singers, fiddlers, and a Celtic band perform on an outdoor stage, which makes it easy to settle in with a warm drink and listen for a while. Families will also find activities for children, including candle dipping, and a range of food vendors for lunch.
The Forest Heritage Center itself is worth a visit while you are on the grounds. It is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, and focuses on forestry history, education, and wood art.
How to Plan Your Festival Weekend
A little planning keeps your Beavers Bend Folk Festival weekend relaxed. Here is a simple approach:
- Choose your festival day. Friday and Saturday open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m., while Sunday runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick the day that fits your arrival.
- Arrive early. With a projected 16,000 visitors, the morning is the calmest time to browse booths and watch demonstrations.
- Use the free shuttle. Park in the designated area and ride to the festival grounds rather than looking for a space nearby.
- Dress in layers. Most of the festival is outdoors, and late fall days can change from morning to afternoon.
- Plan a proper dinner. After a day of browsing, reserve a table in Hochatown. Our guide to the best restaurants in Broken Bow is a good place to start.
- Book your stay early. A free, well-known festival draws visitors from across the region, so booking a cabin well ahead gives you the best choice of dates.
A Sample Festival Weekend
If you are not sure how to shape the days around the Beavers Bend Folk Festival, this is an easy rhythm. Arrive on Friday afternoon, settle in at your cabin, and book an unhurried dinner in Hochatown. Check-in at Tahoe in the Pines begins at 4 p.m. Central, so you can unpack, light the fire pit, and enjoy the quiet before the busy day ahead.
On Saturday, head to the festival when the gates open at 9 a.m. Spend the morning with the craft demonstrations, break for lunch from the food vendors, and listen to an afternoon set on the outdoor stage. Return to the cabin for the hot tub and a relaxed evening meal at the table.
On Sunday, the festival opens at 10 a.m., and checkout at Tahoe in the Pines is at 10 a.m. Central, so enjoy a slow breakfast, pack up, and head over. Browse the booths one last time, then walk a stretch of the trail or visit the river before the drive home.
Beyond the Festival: Beavers Bend State Park
The Beavers Bend Folk Festival sits inside one of Oklahoma’s best-loved state parks, so there is plenty to add around it. The Mountain Fork River flows through the park and is stocked with trout year-round, with two catch-and-release trophy areas. The 26-mile David Boren hiking trail winds through the park, and Broken Bow Lake spreads across more than 14,000 surface acres nearby.
Oklahoma Tourism also encourages visitors to enjoy some of the best fall foliage in the state here. Color timing varies from year to year, so check a current foliage report before you travel. For more on the season, read our guide to fall foliage in Broken Bow. Details on the park are on the Oklahoma Tourism state park page.
Where to Stay: Tahoe in the Pines
After a day at the Beavers Bend Folk Festival, the best part of the weekend is coming back to a cabin that feels like a retreat. Tahoe in the Pines is a modern A-frame near Beavers Bend State Park, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms, and room for up to 12 guests. The primary suite has a king bed, the guest bedroom has two queens, and the bunk suite sleeps the youngest members of the group.
The evenings are where this cabin shines. There is a large hot tub, a wood-burning fire pit that is available year-round, an indoor fireplace, and an outdoor fireplace lounge with Adirondack chairs. A private outdoor pool is available year-round, and heating can be added for $75 per night when you request it. The chef’s kitchen, with quartz counters and a large island, makes it easy to gather everyone for breakfast before heading to the festival. Check-in is self-service by smart lock, and there is parking for a boat or trailer.
Please note that Tahoe in the Pines does not allow pets, and the minimum age for the booking guest is 21.
Make the Festival Weekend Yours
The Beavers Bend Folk Festival is a gentle, handmade kind of weekend, and it pairs well with a cabin, a fire, and good company. If you would like to see availability for November 13 to 15, you can learn more about Tahoe in the Pines on our website. We would be glad to host you at Host with Wander.
