Weekly Events Calendar December 30-January 5

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.

The Grand Entry is a must-see part of Muskogee's New Year's Eve Sobriety PowWow.

Boom Boom PowWow

Dance 2019 away and start a new calendar at the Muskogee Civic Center with the nineteenth annual New Year’s Eve Sobriety PowWow. Native American dancing takes center stage at 1 p.m. with gourd dancing, followed by a dinner break to recharge the batteries before the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. It’s a night of fun and footwork with contests for fancy dance, straight dance, jingle dance, and fancy shawl dance. December 31. Admission, Free. visitmuskogee.com/calendar/19th-annual-new-years-eve-sobriety-powwow/

A Load of Bulls

Claremore Expo Center isn’t just kicking off a new year, it’s trying to throw riders all the way into 2020 with the Danger Zone Bull Riding World Finals. Watch as the top fifty bull riders in the nation compete for cash prizes and awards—everyone from veteran riders to “young guns” will be holding on for glory. Keep an eye on the special miniature bucking bull event to see future bull-riding champions in the making. December 31. Tickets, $15. (417) 343-1438 or dangerzonebullriding.com

Landing in "The Nightmare" is one of "Miss Saigon"'s most visually arresting set pieces. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Johan Persson.

A Swinging Miss

The heartbreaking tale of Kim, orphaned by war and in love, comes to the stage at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Chapman Music Hall in Miss Saigon. From the creators of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon is based on the classic opera Madame Butterfly, but set in war-torn Vietnam. After falling in love with U.S. Marine Chris, Kim must survive an epic journey to reunite with him. December 31-January 5. Tickets, $28-$94. (918) 596-7111 or tulsapac.com/events/2020/misssaigon

Dreaming of a White New Year

Though many were introduced to him as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, comedian Ron White built his own following with decades of performances showcasing his wit and wisdom on the road. He’s helping Oklahomans (and probably some Texans) start off 2020 with a laugh at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville. Leave the kids at home, though, because this show is for ages eighteen and older. January 1. Tickets, $65-$125. ticketmaster.com

Quartz Mountain High

Maybe you’re already regretting those New Year’s resolutions. Get outside? Enjoy nature? Have fun with the family? Exercise? But don’t fret! You can knock out all of them in one fell swoop at the In Search of Eagles guided tour at Quartz Mountain Nature Park in Lone Wolf. Listen to the park naturalist’s informative eagle presentation before caravaning to eagle-viewing locations around Lake Altus-Lugert. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes to you can see eagles leaving and returning to their aeries, riding thermals above the mountain peaks, and roosting in cottonwoods along the shore. Layer up, because as warm as this winter has been, it often feels colder near the water. January 4 & 5. Admission, Free. quartzmountain.org/eagle1.html

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.