For decades Mayfest has been a cultural summer tradition since the 1970’s, a family friendly free three-day international outdoor festival, held annually downtown featuring over 150 visual artists, 75+ musical performances, diverse food vendors, and has been a beloved community tradition since 1973. For many Tulsans, Mayfest marks the beginning of Summer, attracting over 300, 000 visitors, making it a significant regional event. It is considered one of Oklahoma’s largest art festivals, and premier event for the city. Every year, Mayfest goers will experience visual, and installation art, live music from local artists in Oklahoma, local food vendors, and a Kids Zone. It was announced on January 6th, 2026, that the University of Tulsa backed out of sponsorship, after taking on the role since 2023 which shocked the community of Tulsa, as the organizers of the event are working on finding new sponsors at the last minute for this year’s event.

Over its 50-year history, Tulsa Mayfest has been supported by a variety of organizations, and corporate sponsors. Mayfest was initially founded by the Tulsa Junior League in 1973 as Jubilee ’73, and the festival has since been sponsored by entities including the Tulsa Arts and Humanitarian Council, Downtown Tulsa Unlimited, and most recently ‘The University Of Tulsa.’ The City of Tulsa is actively looking for new sponsors, and is acting as a convener, and expects the festival will continue in operation in the coming months. On the Channel 6 website article “University of Tulsa withdraws support for Mayfest” TU Spokesperson, Mona Chamberlin, confirmed the withdrawal in a statement on Monday stating, “When the University of Tulsa purchased the 101 Archer building three years ago, we agreed to support the 2023 Mayfest 50th Anniversary event, which otherwise would have been unable to continue. The University is proud it was able to carry on the Mayfest tradition in 2024 and 2025 while seeking additional sponsors. Chamberlain said “TU has now released the rights for the festival, but will maintain a strong presence, in the Tulsa Arts District, at a building the University owns at 101 East Archer, which houses the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities. The typical dates for the festival would come during an expected surge of tourism because of Route 66 Centennial. On the FOX 23 website article “University of Tulsa releases Mayfest rights, City of Tulsa searching for new partners” The City of Tulsa shared the following statement: "Mayfest is a Tulsa tradition, built on local arts and culture, and we are proud to say Mayfest will continue. The city has been serving as a convener to identify a new sponsor during this transition phase, and while Mayfest has evolved over the years and sponsors have changed, Mayfest remains a mainstay of this community, and we look forward to sharing 2026 Mayfest plans with Tulsans. The city has been working with volunteers and former steering committee members, as well as potential partners and operators, to continue this community tradition for our city. We hope to make an announcement in the coming weeks as plans for the 2026 Mayfest begin to take shape. More to come!"

I interviewed Professor Jerry Goodwin Associate, Professor of Mass Communication at Tulsa Community Metro Campus who is also the faculty advisor of TCC Connection (the student body newspaper) who shared with me his thoughts on the news informed me that “Corporate dollars may or may not be available as much as they use to be based on the changing economy. Cooperations have begun to reevaluate how they spend their money.” He recalls the Greenwood Jazz celebration, a long-standing musical tradition in Tulsa's Historic Greenwood District that began in 1989 and ended in the late 90’s after a big sponsorship ended as well. The festival was replaced years later by “Jazz on The Green”, an annual Tulsa festival that now takes place on Guthrie Green. There is still hope for Mayfest.