Calf Fry is a three-day outdoor country music festival in Stillwater, Oklahoma, rooted in the homegrown Red Dirt music scene. The 34th annual fest runs Thursday, April 30–Saturday, May 2 at the Tumbleweed Dancehall & Concert Arena. All-ages, rain or shine, and it fills up fast. Here's what to sort out before you go. 

Who's Performing? 

Josh Meloy opens the weekend on Thursday. Flatland Cavalry (the Lubbock outfit who've taken the Red Dirt sound well beyond the Oklahoma circuit) headline Friday, with Kaitlin Butts on the supporting bill. Charles Wesley Godwin, the West Virginia storyteller whose Appalachian roots run through everything he records, closes on Saturday. After-party sets run each night. 

Full lineup by day: 

Thursday, April 30: Josh Meloy (headliner), Waylon Wyatt, Bottomland, Cole Phillips, Battle of the Bands Winner, and After Party with Jackson Wendell  

Friday, May 1: Flatland Cavalry (headliner), Braxton Keith, Kaitlin Butts, Logan Ryan Band, Battle of the Bands Winner, and After Party with Phil Kane 

Saturday, May 2: Charles Wesley Godwin (headliner), Ole 60, Tyler Nance, Fox N' Vead, Battle of the Bands Winner, and After Party with The Jack Wharff Band 

Ticket & Entry Info 

Tickets are available online through the festival website. Three tiers cover most needs: 3-day General Admission ($200), 3-day VIP ($385), and 3-day Ultra VIP ($675). Single-day passes are also available per night: GA runs $75, VIP $135, and Ultra VIP $235. Doors at 5:00 p.m., music starts at 5:30 p.m. each evening.  

What to Bring 

Late April in Oklahoma doesn't commit to a single weather pattern. Plan for range: 

  • Layers — temperatures drop noticeably after sundown 

  • Sunscreen — the Tumbleweed Arena is exposed and the afternoon sets are long 

  • Comfortable shoes — so you can enjoy the music uninterrupted 

Check the venue site for any clear-bag requirements or prohibited items before you pack. 

Where to Stay 

Hotels fill up fast: this isn't a weekend to wait. Several properties are within driving distance of the Tumbleweed Arena. Availability is limited—book as soon as your plans are set. 

Food & Drink 

Stillwater's food scene is worth exploring, though there will be food vendors on-site if you'd rather stay put. 

Plan Ahead 

  • Parking: A 3-day parking pass for the West Lot is $30 and can be purchased alongside tickets on the festival website. Rideshare drop-off zones are typically marked nearby. A $45 bus pass covers unlimited rides to and from The Strip (Washington Street) across all three nights—a practical alternative if you're staying downtown. 

  • Arrival: Doors at 5:00 p.m., music at 5:30 p.m. Space fills in as headliner time gets close—plan to be inside before the opener if positioning matters to you. 

  • Weather: Late April can mean 80°F afternoons and 50°F evenings within the same day. Check the forecast each morning and adjust accordingly. 

  • Safety: Find the medical and information tents when you first enter. Follow posted festival policies, pace your alcohol intake relative to the heat, and stay aware of your group in larger sections of the crowd. 

FAQs 

Is Calf Fry family-friendly? 

Yes. All-ages entry means minors are welcome throughout. Alcohol sales are age-gated and require a valid ID. 

Are tickets required for entry? 

Yes. Valid tickets purchased in advance through the official website are required for all attendees. 

Where do I park? 

Designated lots are available around the Tumbleweed Arena, with rideshare areas also marked on-site. An updated map is posted before the festival. 

What time should I arrive? 

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Plan to arrive 30–45 minutes before the opener. RVs must be parked by 3:00 p.m. each day.  

Find schedules, ticket details and the latest lineup updates for Calf Fry 2026, and explore everything else happening around Stillwater that weekend.