TULSA, Okla. — Gathering Place is going global—and everyone’s invited. This Saturday, August 9, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tulsa’s most iconic park will transform into a multicultural mosaic of music, food, art, and community at the Global Gatherings World Festival.
Held on the QuikTrip Great Lawn and inside the ONEOK Boathouse, the free event marks the grand finale of a summer-long series honoring the cultural richness that makes Tulsa one of the most diverse cities in the region.
Global sounds, local soul: A sensory journey through culture, cuisine, and community connection
From Benin to Beirut, Colombia to the Cherokee Nation, the World Festival doesn’t just celebrate cultures—it centers them. Attendees will experience live performances by global and local talent, including Latin Grammy winner Joaquina, Japanese-Brazilian fusion artist Mei Semones, and the commanding haka of Te Tini a Maui, a traditional Maori dance group.
The sounds will be matched by the smells and tastes of international cuisine—dishes from Mexico, Hungary, Indonesia, Lebanon, and beyond—all crafted by Tulsa-based vendors representing the global heartbeat of the city.
Children and families can join hands-on activities ranging from origami and henna to storytelling and artisan craft-making. Meanwhile, a festival marketplace will feature goods from Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and other community-rooted artists.
Gathering Place encourages guests to RSVP via Eventbrite to help staff create a seamless, welcoming experience.
Organizers say the event is part of a broader effort to activate community healing, connection, and pride across differences. The Explore & Imagine program funds the World Festival, with support from the AEP Foundation on behalf of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).
Need to Know:
- Getting There: Free shuttles will run from Tulsa Community College Downtown and the 33rd Place overflow lot to Williams Lodge. Rideshare drop-off available on Riverside Drive (northbound only).
- Stay Cool: ONEOK Boathouse will offer air-conditioned rest areas, along with shaded seating and a kid-friendly water play zone. Free water refill stations will be located throughout the park.
Tulsa continues to grapple with historic divisions. Saturday’s festival creates a rare shared space—one that centers, celebrates, and honors culture, rather than merely tolerating it.
Learn more or RSVP here: gatheringplace.org/explore-imagine
