Singer-songwriter Bella Burns will headline the 27th Annual Plaza District Festival on NW 16th Street in Oklahoma City on September 26, taking the main stage at 10 p.m. for an event organizers say draws more than 30,000 attendees in a single day. The free, all-ages festival runs from noon to 11 p.m. near 1745 NW 16th St., anchoring a night of live music, murals and neighborhood commerce in one of the city's most closely watched arts districts.
Burns, an Afro-Latina artist originally from Dallas and now based in Oklahoma City who blends neo-soul, alternative R&B and pop, released her breakout single “Medicine” on March 29, according to SixTwelve. As reported by News 9, Burns was also selected for SixTwelve's 2026 recording, mixing and mastering residency, per the arts center. She previously played collegiate volleyball.
Rachael Crawford said Plaza Fest is about giving the community a chance to discover and celebrate Oklahoma City's talent, per the outlet's report. That framing lines up with Burns' own rise across the region's stages this year: the same News 9 report notes she has performed at the Norman Music Festival, the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and the deadCenter Film Festival, in addition to her upcoming Plaza Fest set.
A Lineup Built Around Local Voices
Burns' growing résumé tracks with her expanding visibility across Oklahoma's music circuit. Hoodline reported in March that Burns was named to the Norman fest lineup alongside acts including Momma and Hayden Pedigo. In April, Factory Obscura featured Burns as a panelist for its “Amplify: Voices of the Music Industry” event, according to the immersive art collective. She also performed on the Rotary Stage at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Oklahoma City's Boathouse District, per event organizers, blending an international sports competition with local live music.
Beyond Burns' main-stage set, the festival's live music will stretch throughout the district, including a stage hosted by the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, per the same News 9 account. ACM@UCO opened in 2009 in Oklahoma City's Bricktown district as the first U.S. institution modeled after the UK's original Academy of Contemporary Music, according to TravelOK. The school's CEO is Flaming Lips manager Scott Booker; it trains students in performance, production and music business.
Murals, Vendors and a Family Zone Round Out the Day
Running alongside the festival is the 11th Annual Plaza Walls Mural Expo, featuring 40 artists, the article notes. The rotating outdoor mural project was launched in September 2015 by artists Dylan Bradway and Kristopher Kanaly, establishing 5,160 square feet of curated mural space approved by the Oklahoma City Arts and Urban Design Commissions, according to Oklahoma City - A Better Life. The walls are managed by the Oklahoma Mural Syndicate and repainted annually by local and national street artists.
Festival-goers can also expect 10 food trucks, more than 40 local artist vendors, and nearly a dozen community partners and nonprofits setting up throughout the district, per the same report. A family zone will offer art activities, face painting, balloon animals, music and interactive street dance, while Plaza District businesses will roll out their own specials, entertainment and promotions for the day.
A Neighborhood Built From Blight to Arts Hub
The scale of this year's turnout — organizers project upwards of 40,000 attendees, according to the Plaza District Association — reflects the Plaza District's evolution over the decades. The district includes independent shops and studios.
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is part of the Plaza District's arts activity, according to the Oklahoma Gazette. The theater presents year-round productions alongside nearby restaurants and shops, reflecting the district's identity as an arts corridor heading into this year's festival.
