Weekly Events Calendar, December 27, 2021-January 2, 2022

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.

Get in loser, we're heading to Oklahoma City for the musical adaptation of "Mean Girls" at the Civic Center Music Hall. Photo courtesy OKC Broadway

Make Fetch Happen

You are cordially invited to wear pink, no matter the day, when OKC Broadway brings Mean Girls to the stage at the Civic Center Music Hall. Relive the classic tale of Cady Heron, newly arrived from growing up in Africa, as she is immersed in the far-more-vicious world known as high school. This musical adaptation is recommended for audiences older than ten years of age, perhaps in a bid to make sure it’s not recreated in an elementary school setting. December 28-January 2. Tickets, $36-$131. okcbroadway.com/meangirls

Safety On

Oxymorons are fun. Jumbo shrimp. Pretty Ugly. Even oxymoron is an oxymoron, cobbled together from the Greek works for sharp and dull. And one of those oxymorons is headed straight for Tulsa as the largest ever micro-sprint racing event, The Tulsa Shootout, returns for its thirty-seventh year. This year’s gathering is the largest ever, topping last year’s record-setting participation. Watch these little racers blaze across the track and see who brings home the Golden Driller. December 29-January 1. Tickets, $15-$40. tulsashootout.com

They're fast. They're furious. They're coming to the Tulsa Shootout for the largest ever micro-sprint racing event. Photo by Tim Grant

Have a Ball

A sub-zero New Year’s Eve calls for lots of blankets, champagne, and snuggling. But with temperatures in the extremely comfortable 60s and 70s, it’s a fine time to head to Pawnee for the Courthouse Square Ball Drop. This public party welcomes folks of all ages to gather around the bonfire, listen to live music, and watch the fireworks before they drop the ceremonial ball at midnight. December 31. Admission, Free. pawneechamberofcommerce.org

The Right Foot

We’re all thankful for the arrival of the new year and the best way to kick off 2022 is in the lap of nature’s luxury. Oklahoma State Parks welcome visitors for the First Day Hike at Beavers Bend, Eufaula, Robbers Cave, McGee Creek, Osage Hills, Keystone, Roman Nose, Quartz Mountain, Foss, Boiling Springs, Black Mesa, Alabaster Caverns, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Murray, Lake Wister, Tenkiller, Sequoyah, and Greenleaf state parks. These free guided hikes will show of the splendor of Oklahoma’s outdoors as you recharge your batteries for a brand new year. January 1. Admission, Free. travelok.com/state-parks

Start off 2022 with a fun and informative guided hike through an Oklahoma State Park with the First Day Hike scheduled at 18 locations. Photo by stokpic

Hair of the Dog

Two wrongs don’t make a right, but maybe two nights of revelry do. So after ringing in the new year on December 31, Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa hosts the Hangover Ball 2022 featuring live music from Cody Canada, Mike McClure, Roger Clyne, BJ Barham, Jamie Lin Wilson, and many more. If your New Year’s resolution was to have more fun, this show is practically mandatory. January 1. Tickets, $21-$46. cainsballroom.com/event/hangover-ball-2022/

Written By

Greg Elwell

Greg Elwell served as research editor and web editor of Oklahoma Today from 2018-2023. He also has worked for newspapers, medical research organizations, and government institutions.