City of Norman Expands FourthFest 2026 in Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary

The City of Norman is proud to announce an expanded FourthFest 2026 celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States with more events, more activities, and more opportunities for the community to come together.

Spanning four days, July 1 through July 4, this year's FourthFest is bigger than ever before. In honor of this historic milestone, the City has added additional programming across multiple parks, creating a full schedule of free, family-friendly festivities for residents and visitors alike.

The celebration on July 4 at Reaves Park with FourthFest, Norman's premier Fourth of July event. This year's FourthFest will feature an exciting lineup of live music, beginning with Logan Mac at 5 p.m., followed by Tyler Halverson at 6:45 p.m., and headlined by Cody Canada at 8:15 p.m., the lead singer and guitarist of Cross Canadian Ragweed. In addition to live performances, attendees can enjoy a wide range of attractions including bouncy houses, local vendors, food trucks, pony rides, and a petting zoo.

"FourthFest has become a tradition that people plan their summer around, and this year's expanded lineup gives visitors even more reasons to spend the holiday weekend in Norman. Between the live music, family activities, and events happening across multiple days, it's a great example of the kind of community-driven experiences that make Norman such a welcoming destination," said Dan Schemm, President and CEO of VisitNorman.

The celebration begins on July 1 with a Water Lantern Festival at Legacy Park, followed by an outdoor showing of Captain America: The First Avenger on July 2 at Reaves Park. The movie will begin at sunset, which generally occurs between 8:30 and 9 p.m. this time of year.

On July 3, participants can step up to the plate at the Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby at 6 p.m. on Field 6 at Reaves Park. The derby is open to all ages. Registration is available at: https://www.normanok.gov/form/2026-wiffle-ball-home-run-derby.

Independence Day also includes the Firecracker 5K at Legacy Park and the Red, White and Blue Swim from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Westwood Family Aquatic Center. The swim is open to all ages and will feature a variety of kids activities and coordinated games. Admission is free for pass holders, with discounted pricing available for non-pass holders.

"Norman's FourthFest is one of the most beloved traditions in our community, and this year we're proud to make it bigger and more dynamic than ever as we celebrate the nation's 250th birthday" said Jason Olsen, Director of Norman Parks and Recreation. "We're excited to bring the community together for a safe, memorable, and uniquely Norman celebration."

Local businesses and organizations are invited to be part of the celebration. Vendor applications are available at: https://www.normanok.gov/form/2026-vendor-form, with a recommended submission deadline of no later than June 19.

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

The City of Norman thanks its generous sponsors-, Visit Norman, Riverwind Casino, Norman Heating and Air, Fowler Automotive, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Heyday Entertainment Norman, and State Farm-for helping make this expanded celebration possible.

For more information and updates, visit Normanok.gov or follow Norman Parks and Recreation on social media.