Weekly Events Calendar: December 2-8, 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
All aboard! It’s the Christmas season, and that means it’s time for a magical adventure to the North Pole. Departing from Oklahoma City at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, The Polar Express will offer riders a chance to live out a classic tale, sip hot chocolate, and receive the first gift of Christmas from the big man, Santa Claus, himself. The train will be running on select dates now through December 27. So get your golden tickets at okcthepolarexpressride.com, and keep in mind that the Polar Express runs on a tight schedule to make Christmas happen.
Through December 27. Tickets, $44-$67. okcthepolarexpressride.com

Live your Polar Express dreams at the Oklahoma Railway Museum. Photo courtesy Oklahoma City Polar Express Ride

By Nathan Gunter
Did anyone else grow up watching Hee-Haw? It was sort of the country-music version of Saturday Night Live back in the ’80s. We’d always watch it when we visited my grandparents in Okmulgee. One of the recurring gags on Hee-Haw was a bit where the cast members and that week’s guest—always a country music star—would pop up out of a corn field and tell—sorry—corny jokes. For example:

ROY CLARK: Y’know, I had a great aunt who coulda married anybody she pleased.

TANYA TUCKER: So how come she was an old maid?

ROY CLARK: She didn’t please nobody!

I’m not sure why, but that was what I thought of when I heard that this week, I’d be telling you all about Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village in Grove near Grand Lake. Though this event won’t have Tanya Tucker popping out of any corn fields, for your Christmas purposes, it’ll be even better than that. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through December 21, visit this historic hideaway that will be decorated in Victorian style for the holidays. Bring the kids for photos with Santa, carolers at the gazebo, activities like writing letters to the North Pole and a gingerbread house workshop, and an hourly snowfall to set the perfect holiday mood. Plus, enjoy seasonal treats like cookies, hot chocolate, cider, and even wassail. Plus there’ll be more than 800,000 lights and probably at least that many children having the holiday time of their lives. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors or veterans, $9 for kids six to seventeen, and kids younger than five are free. For tickets or more information, call (918) 786-6446 or visit har-bervillage.com.
December 6-7. Tickets, $9-$15. har-bervillage.com

The North Pole is a long way away, but fortunately you can visit with Santa at the Har-Ber Village in Grove during the Santa's Ozark Mountain Village event. Photo courtesy Santa's Ozark Mountain Village

By Ben Luschen
There is something.. magical about the still night of Christmas Eve. Like the carol “Silent Night” describes: all is calm, all is bright. Everyone puts aside the hubbub of the year for one. special. moment. And all of that is well and good during the holiday, but in the leadup to that special day, this is America baby, and we’re going to jingle bell rock the nights ahead like no other. If you want to start your advent calendar countdown off with a bang, visit Kingfisher on Saturday, December 7, for the Lighted Christmas Parade, Fireworks & Laser Show! Tis the season for SENSORY OVERLOAD: Cheer on dozens of holiday floats and vehicles during the parade through downtown at 6:00 p.m. But stick around after the parade for the real rock show, when a fireworks display and laser light show will dazzle the crowd and confuse the heck out of any wisemen following a star towards Bethlehem. Admission is free, but get there early to get a good viewing spot. For more information call (405) 375-4445 or visit kingfisher.org.
December 7. Admission, free. facebook.com/kingfisherchristmasparade

By Megan Rossman
In American pop culture, we typically associate hot chocolate with winter. It was originally created by the Mayans in 500 B.C., and that unsweetened version with chili was consumed as a cold beverage. It steadily grew in popularity when it was introduced to Europe. These days, many Americans throw powdered hot cocoa mix into hot water and call it good. But if you want to learn more about the hidden inner life of this storied beverage, you should head to the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City on December 7 for The Tropical Secrets of Hot Chocolate class. Participants will learn about its history and how its preparation varies among countries, and, best of all, everyone will get to create their own small mix to take home. For more information, visit myriadgardens.org
November 28. Registration, $13-$15. myriadgardens.org

Hot chocolate is a holiday season special, but each cup comes from a tropical origin. Learn more during The Tropical Secrets of Hot Chocolate at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City

By Karlie Ybarra
If love functional pockets, are over the age of 25, or a person in possession of hips, a butt, short legs, long legs, or are generally anything other than sample sized—whatever that means—the fashion industry doesn’t seem to care much about you. But people who aren’t models deserve to express themselves sartorially as well. On December 7 at Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City, The Walking with Worth Fashion Show proves regular folks of all genders, sizes, ages, and backgrounds can work the runway just as fabulously, and I bet they’re way more fun at the after party than Naomi or Gisele anyway. Even better, after the show, attendees can shop the runway looks, which all come from local boutiques. You can’t do that at a Tom Ford show (but mostly because none of us can afford a $10,000 pair of pants). Tickets are $50 for adults, which helps support the Oklahoma Eating Disorders Association. Visit okeatingdisorders.org to find out more.
December 7. Tickets, $50. okeatingdisorders.org

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.