Get Ready For Lawton’s Summer Filled With Exciting Events

Now that Lawton's Arts for All Festival has come and gone, it's time to start looking towards Lawton's top summer festivals and events! Summer doesn't technically start till June, but as school ends in May, it's technically summer once that last bell is rung.

It may get really hot during the summer in Lawton, but that doesn't stop locals from having fun! Whether it's a parade, swimming or enjoying a night at the rodeo, Lawton residents have a lot to look forward to during the summer.

Lawton's top summer events include parades, celebrations, festivals, and rodeos.

Whether you're waiting to get the pool ready or for kids to get out of school, May always kicks off summer in Lawton! And Lawton's top summer events continue all the way through August, before school starts again.

Armed Forces Day Parade - Saturday, May 16

Lawton's annual Armed Forces Day Parade will take place Saturday, May 16 in downtown Lawton. The parade will line up at Central Plaza and head west on C Avenue and then north on 11th Street. The parade is a way for Lawton residents to honor local active-duty service members.

Memorial Day Lap Swim - Monday, May 25

The City of Lawton will officially open all of its aquatic centers on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 25. The City of Lawton will also mark Memorial Day with a Memorial Day Lap Swim at the new Aquatic Center in Elmer Thomas Park. The lap swim will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor fallen service members. Those interested in participating can sign up online.

Lawton Chautauqua - June 16-21

The 2026 Lawton Chautauqua will celebrate 250 years of American Spirit during this year's performances and workshops. From June 16-21 at the Albert Johnson Sr. Conference Center, 91 NE Main Street, residents can witness live reenactments of some of America's most historical figures. Scholars will embody the following figures below, and give live performances and workshops during the week of Chautauqua.

• William Clark - American Frontiersman - Presented by Doug Mishler
• Sojourner Truth - Social Justice Activist - Presented by Rebecca Marks Jimerson
• Washington Irving - Writer & Diplomat - Presented by John Anderson
• Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady of the World - Presented by Susan Marie Frontczak
• Lucille Ball - Award-winning Entertainer - Presented by Leslie Goddard

More details about the 2026 Lawton Chautauqua are available on the Lawton Public Library's website.

Lawton Fort Sill City Wide Juneteenth Celebration - June 19 and 20

The 2026 Lawton Fort Sill City Wide Juneteenth Celebration will take place June 19 and 20. This year's events will feature a prayer breakfast, panel discussion, gospel extravaganza and a BBQ cookoff. More details will be made available on the event's official Facebook page.

Tour of the Wichitas - June 20

Tour of the Wichitas is Lawton's top ride for cyclists, and this year's ride will take place Saturday, June 20. The ride will begin on Fort Sill and take cyclists through the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. This year's ride will feature four routes, including 19 mile, 34, mile, 48 mile, and 65 mile. Registration is now available on tourofthewichitas.com.

Freedom Festival - End of June

The City of Lawton has yet to announce an official date for Lawton's annual Freedom Festival. However, the festival typically takes place at the end of June. The festival is usually a two-day event at Elmer Thomas park with live music, food trucks, fireworks and more. Details about Freedom Festival will be posted to the festival's official Facebook page.

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Lawton Farmers Market Tomato Festival - July

Every year the Lawton Farmers Market hosts its Tomato Festival in July. The Lawton Farmers Market has not announced an official date for the 2026 Tomato Festival, however, the festival is typically the second weekend in July. The Tomato Festival is the best time to try Oklahoma's freshest summer fruit, the tomato. Local farmers usually have hundreds of tomatoes at the festival, all different flavors, shapes and sizes! There's also a salsa contest and more!

More details about this year's Tomato Festival will be posted to the Lawton Farmer's Market Facebook page.

Lawton Rangers Rodeo - August 5-8

The end of summer in Lawton is always marked by the annual Lawton Rangers Rodeo! This year will be the 88th annual Lawton Rangers Rodeo, and will take place August 5-8 at LO Ranch. Below is the schedule of events for this year's rodeo.

• August 1 - Big Country Breakfast
• August 5 - Car Load Night
• August 6 - Pink Night
• August 7 - Military Appreciation Night
• August 8 - Grand Finale

More details about this year's schedule and tickets can be found on the Lawton Rangers official website.