This week, the annual Tulsa LitFest will take over venues across Tulsa from April 23–26, bringing together a dynamic lineup of over three dozen local and visiting writers, filmmakers, musicians and artists for four days of readings, performances, workshops, craft talks and film screenings.

Presented by the Center for Poets and Writers at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa in partnership with Tri-City Collective and Magic City Books, this free and open to the public festival continues its mission of celebrating the written word in its many forms while fostering collaboration and inspiration within the local arts community.

Saturday’s keynote address at OSU-Tulsa will focus on environmentalism and feature acclaimed poets Ken Hada and Daniela Naomi Molnar. This catered event invites audiences to engage with urgent environmental themes through poetry and interdisciplinary perspectives, underscoring the role of the arts in shaping conversations about sustainability and the natural world.

Tulsa LitFest 2026 is part of OSU’s Arts Week, which provides opportunities and encouragement for students outside the arts to experience different forms of creative expression, underscoring the importance of art and culture in society.

“Communication, creativity, expression, critical thinking skills — these things aren’t just for our arts and humanities students, but are vital for every student,” said Dr. Eric Howerton, director of the Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa and teaching associate professor of English in the OSU College of Arts and Sciences. “Even from a purely economic point of view, a well-rounded and creative workforce is better equipped to communicate through problems and find innovative solutions. LitFest is, in part, a celebration of artists who have dedicated their lives to these creative skills.”

Highlights of Tulsa LitFest 2026 include a book fair with over 75 local authors and publishers, readings by Tayari Jones, Jess Gutierrez, Morgan Taltry, Sarah Thankam Mathews, Donald Quist, Paul Juhasz, Bailey Gaylin Moore, Tim Tomlinson, Liz Blood, Nicholas Claro and Karl Jones. The “Resilience Through Ash: Writing About Greenwood” event with novelist Rilla Askew, poet Jasminé Elizabeth Smith, and journalist Randy Krehbiel will explore the complications of researching and writing about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

Movies, music and more will also be a part of Tulsa LitFest, featuring musical performances by Damion Shade and Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson, a late-night screening of Oklahoma horror short films, a conversation with directors and writers about the development of local film and television industries and a reading of children’s literature by authors Alton Carter, Betty Casey and Jennifer Riem.

Community support continues to fuel Tulsa LitFest this year, thanks to collaboration with local venues, businesses and partners including NYU Tulsa, Chimera Café, The Tulsa Community College McKeon Center for Creativity, Tulsa Review, The University of Tulsa, 101 Archer, Greenwood Rising, The Center for Public Secrets, Heirloom Rustic Ales, Good Cause Brewing, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, Pershing Studios and Que Gusto.

For a full festival schedule with bios of participating authors, filmmakers, musicians and artists, please visit the official Tulsa LitFest Eventbrite page.