Weekly Events Calendar: December 16-22, 2024

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.

By Kiersten Stone
Are you still feeling the spooky spirit rather than holly jolly? Why not combine both? In the perfect transition of holidays, the Creepy Christmas Lights Tour is lighting up the night for the ninth year in a row. Hosted by Tulsa Spirit Tours, the tour is an hour and a half bus ride where you can learn about the often overlooked, darker side of Christmas through tales of traditions, legends, and other folklore from around the world. For an even eerier effect, creepy Christmas music will be played in the background as the bus makes its way through the dazzling light displays. Tickets are $35, reservations are required, and as of December 12, tours are available on select nights through December 23. Make this holiday like no other and have a Happy Creepmas!
Through December 23. Tickets, $35. tulsaspirittour.com

By Nathan Gunter
So here’s the thing. The death of monoculture is much heralded these days—rather than engaging with the same set of cultural things, we’ve split off into a society of a million niches, such that major cultural events and touchstones aren’t the “we all saw that” event they once were. Still, that being the case, we do see the rise of some new things we all at least know a little: “Espresso.” Wicked. The, uh . . . situation with Oklahoma’s college football teams. Big things. There are still certain movies and TV shows that, even if we never saw them, have references we get. To wit: I’ve never seen an episode of The Big Bang Theory, but I know “Bazinga.”

Two specific cultural touchstones have not only endured in the twenty-first century but have seen their powers grow. I’m speaking, of course, of princesses and superheroes. When I was a kid in the ‘80s, we had princesses and superheroes, but whereas we had to wait years between princess and/or superhero movies and TV shows—and the special effects were nowhere near as good—this content appears almost daily now.

Still, that doesn’t mean superheroes and princesses have replaced everything: Pieces of our monoculture remain, and the symbols of the holidays are perfect examples of enduring ubiquity. After all, we’d react differently if Princess Jasmine or Wolverine came down our chimney on a lonely winter’s night than if, say, Santa did.

So if Tulsa’s Breakfast with Santa event sounds like fun to you, not to worry: There will be princesses and superheroes there for kids to meet, but the Man With the Bag will remain in the place of honor at the BOK Center on Saturday, December 21. Bring the kiddos—and when it comes to Christmas, everybody counts—to meet Big Red. In addition, there’ll be a delicious meal, face painting, inflatables, and the aforementioned princesses and superheroes, who will not be taking gift requests but will be so stoked to meet you. For more information, call (918) 894-4200.
December 21. Registration, $15-$30. bokcenter.com

Make your last minute gift requests at Breakfast with Santa in Tulsa's BOK Center. Photo courtesy Pexels

By Megan Rossman
Even for those of us that love the holidays, it’s a time of year that can make you feel like you are losing your mind. Fortunately, though, we don’t have to live and work in the 1800s, but if you find yourself yearning for the pre-electronic age, come check your head at the Fort Gibson Historic Site Gingerbread Decoration Day on Saturday, December 21. Here, you’ll see what a nightmare it was to make cookies with a wood fire stove. From 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m., everyone will be at the mercy of the flames in this antique mammoth, as tasty gingerbread cookies emerge about every half hour to purchase for $5 and decorate in the fort commissary. Decor supplies will include era-appropriate ingredients, like icing, cherry licorice, spice drops, and candy wafers. While you’re at this northeastern Oklahoma site, take a tour of Fort Gibson’s museum, gift shop, and walking trail. For more information, call (918) 478-4088.
December 21. Tickets, $4-$7. okhistory.org

Decorate gingerbread and enjoy the holidays the nineteenth century way this week at Fort Gibson. Photo courtesy Fort Gibson Historical Site

By Karlie Ybarra
If you saw the 2008 box office bomb The Happening, the name of this event may give you some anxiety. But don’t fear Factory Obscura’s March of the Trees, for these gallivanting groves mean us no harm. In fact, they aren’t trees at all, but humans dressed as their favorite arboreal beings—from Christmas conifers to youthful yews and everything in between. Beginning December 21st at 5:30 p.m. at Factory Obscura, where last-minute light and costume additions will be available. Then at 6:30, the march will commence down Automobile Alley before returning to Factory Obscura’s Mix-Tape on 9th Street where a winter solstice ceremony and comradery await. Those dressed as a tree receive free admission to the Future of Sound Sessions performance inside Factory Obscura right after the march. It may not be the way the ancients celebrated the Solstice, but they didn’t have access to Michaels or Hobby Lobby. There’s no need to register or buy tickets, but you can check out Factory Obscura's website for more details.
December 21. Admission, free. factoryobscura.com

O March of the Trees, how lovely are your branches? Come see for yourself this Saturday at Oklahoma City's Factory Obscura. Photo courtesy Factory Obscura

By Ben Luschen
Well I’m going to attempt to talk in this really soft voice because my event is the Winter Disk Golf Open at Arrowhead State Park on December 21. As we all know my normal voice is just way too loud to be talking at max volume as these golfers focus on nailing their opening drives. The only real time I can speak up is when the players finally feel out their shot, wind up, and let ‘er rip then I can yell, “GET IN THE HOLE! WOO YAA!” Or, not the hole, but like, the chain basket thingy. You know what I mean. Man, I’m never whispering again. Anyway, this disc golf open--yes, that is golf with a frisbee, you’ve seen the game--is open to seasoned vets and casual players alike. You’ll be competing on Arrowhead’s full 18-hole, par-54 course. And this is December so you know we’ve got to have a Christmas theme. In addition to the competition there will be a wrapped disc exchange. Bring a gift-wrapped disc to exchange with a fellow player--a great way to make new friends and relish in the holiday season. There is no registration fee to enter, but it does cost $8 for a parking pass if you plan on driving in for the day. For more information call the park office at (918) 339-2204.
December 21. Parking, $8. facebook.com

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.