Weekly Events Calendar: December 25-31

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.

One of the saddest celebrity deaths in 2023 was the passing of legendary singer Tina Turner. Her music remains iconic—good luck avoiding songs like “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It” to this day. Fans can still pay tribute to the songstress by attending TINA: The Tina Turner Musical presented by OKC Broadway. With shows beginning the day after Christmas, it is the perfect outing for families and true Tina fans. December 26-31. Tickets, $36-$126. okcbroadway.com

Honor the incredible life and musical career of Tina Turner during TINA: The Tina Turner Musical at Oklahoma City's Civic Center Music Hall. Photo courtesy OKC Broadway

For me a micro sprint is my jogging waddle to the bathroom after clearing a thirty-two ounce soda, but for actual sportsmen, the country’s largest micro sprint auto racing event might be a more enjoyable watch. The Tulsa Shootout promises more than a thousand participants at Tulsa Expo Square for full-throttle races involving half-sized vehicles. See racers compete in a number of categories, with ages ranging from six to sixty. December 27-31. Tickets, $15-$30. tulsashootout.com

High speeds, and occasional wipeouts, are practically guaranteed during the micro sprint auto races at the Tulsa Shootout in Tulsa Expo Square. Photo courtesy Tulsa Shootout

The year is about to be 2024 and you still haven’t seen Weezer live in concert? “Say It Ain’t So!” Actually, whether it will be someone’s first time seeing them or their tenth, Weezer is a must-see act at every opportunity. Your next best chance to see Rivers Cuomo and company is Friday in the Choctaw Grand Theatre at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant. The band’s self-titled debut (you probably know it as the Blue Album) turns thirty next year. Through December 29. Tickets, $129-$250. choctawcasinos.com

If you didn’t see some kind of big ball lower or raise on the calendar’s last night, did you even New Year? The answer is probably yes, but unless you really, really liked 2023 I would not tempt fate. One place where you can definitely see a descent of this magnitude is at the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop on the Square. At this Pawnee tradition, enjoy fireworks, a bonfire, hot cocoa, and the absolute guarantee of passage into 2024. December 31. Admission, free. pawneechamberofcommerce.org

There will be toast on New Year’s Eve in Bartlesville, but guests can leave all their jams behind. This is the kind of toast you make with fancy champagne, right around midnight. Of course, at the Olive Drop at Restaurant Cicada in the iconic Price Tower, martinis will also be on the menu. Live music and dancing will take guests through the night. Stay tuned for the magic hour, when a giant olive will actually be lowered from the top of the tower and into a giant wine glass. December 31. Admission, $35. pricetower.org

You can have a ball at any time really, but there is only one place this New Year's Eve where an actual olive is the star. Check out Price Tower in Bartlesville for their epic Olive Drop. Photo courtesy Price Tower

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.