TVSHKAHOMMA – The annual Choctaw Labor Day Festival is expected to draw another large crowd over its three-day run, Sept. 4-6 at Tvshkahomma.
Last year’s festival at the historic Capitol Grounds drew an estimated 62,000 people.
The free festival, featuring plenty of popular entertainment and family reunions, will likely become 2026’s biggest event in southeast Oklahoma.
Choctaw people have gathered at the original Choctaw Capitol for many years during Labor Day weekends to celebrate family and fellowship, and to honor Choctaw culture. As usual, the weekend schedule is filled with sporting events, traditional activities, carnival rides, and food trucks.
On Friday, Chief Gary Batton will offer his State of the Nation Address at 5 p.m. The speech will be followed by crowning the new princesses.
Activities will include cornhole tournaments, cornhusk doll making, arts & crafts activities in the Choctaw Village, and gourd dancing on the Capitol lawn. A handmade quilt exhibit and a building filled with the Arts & Crafts Market add to the traditions, along with basketball, softball, and stickball games, a 5K race, and the crowd-pleasing Tough Tough Choctaw Contest. Food and drink vendors and free bottles of water are plentiful.
Saturday will feature platinum- selling country recording artists Mark Chesnutt and Neal McCoy, among other musical acts. On Sunday, Christian music stars Ben Fuller, Hope Darst, and The Williamsons will perform.
More information and updates on the festival are available by texting “LaborDay” to 888777 or visiting laborday. choctawnation.com.
Among highlights at the annual Choctaw Labor Day Festival will be Chief Batton’s live State of the Nation Address at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.