Weekly Events Calendar: November 13-19

Each week, Oklahoma Today staffers comb through their calendars to find a handful of great events happening across the state. Get out! See Oklahoma! And be sure to let us know what you find, either here or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @oklahomatoday.

For those in and around the capital city’s metro area, the holiday season gets its start with the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival. The main draw to the annual downtown event in Mickey Mantle Plaza outside the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is of course the lighting of the titular evergreen with OKC Mayor David Holt at 7 pm. The party starts well before that at 5:30 pm however, with live music, games, special guest appearances, and photo opportunities with Santa, The Grinch, Elsa, and more. November 16. Admission, free. downtownindecember.com

Expect Oklahoma City Thunder mascot Rumble to be among many making guest appearances at the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival. Photo courtesy Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership

Halloween might have passed a couple of weeks ago, but there is no reason to move on from spooky season just yet, especially when the Paranormal Cirque is arriving in Shawnee. Human contortion, gymnastics, aerial stunts, and mind-bending illusions are fascinating enough on their own, but the fun gets a wicked twist from these terrifying performers. After the show’s four-day run at the Heart of OK Expo Center concludes, its next stop is Lawton’s Central Mall November 24-26. November 16-November 19. Tickets, $15-$60. black.cirqueitalia.com

The Paranormal Cirque, coming to Shawnee this week and Lawton later this month, is intense enough that those under 17 are required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Photo courtesy Paranormal Cirque

If the holiday season has you pining for a simpler, more elegant time in the Victorian era, there is no need to step into a time machine. Simply drive over to downtown Claremore for Dickens on the Boulevard to lose those Humbugs. Living history reenactors will help tell the story of Christmases past, and an old-time Victorian street dance will take place both nights they are open. Don’t forget the Victorian food court featuring plenty of beans, cornbread, stew and cobbler. November 17-18. Admission, free. downtownclaremore.org

When it comes to chiggers, we don’t normally notice them until they’re coming after us. Ardmore’s annual Chigger Run puts those roles in reverse, as costumed racers dash through the Festival of Lights displays at Ardmore’s Regional Park while chasing the elusive sprinting chigger. Runners choose from one-mile, 5k, and half-mile children’s run course lengths with proceeds benefiting park upkeep and improvements. November 18. Registration, $15-$30. chiggerchase.enmotive.com

Darth Vader, Batman, Godzilla, Pikachu. No, it’s not the next crossover mega movie franchise, it’s the cast of characters collectors will spot during this weekend’s Retromania at Tulsa Expo Square. Browse toys, games, figures, art, and more from some of the most popular franchises around, and enjoy a variety of guest appearances, including a cast reunion of the movie Aliens: Colonial Marines. November 18-19. Tickets, $10-$20. heritageeventcompany.com

Whether guests are looking for a scale replica of their favorite character or are just hoping to replicate the look themselves, Retromania in Tulsa is the place to do it. Photo courtesy Scott Kinney

Written By

Ben Luschen

Luschen joined the *Oklahoma Today*’ staff as Research Editor in 2021 and currently works as the magazine's Web Editor, managing the website and social media fronts. His past *Oklahoma Today* stories have ranged in content from the state's bee and quail industries to its vibrant art and music scenes. Not adverse to a road trip, Luschen is always on the lookout for the next big adventure. He is never out of opinions about the current state of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball.