Weekly Events Calendar: December 9-15, 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 Megan Rossman
In 1894, Marshal McCully built a two-bedroom sod house in what is now Aline, Oklahoma. He used thick pieces of buffalo grass from the surrounding prairie, and his family lived in that house until 1909. After they upgraded to a wood frame house on the property, the McCullys continued to use the sod house for storage until the Oklahoma Historical Society purchased it in 1963. On December 14, visitors are invited into the house and adjoining museum for A Quliter’s Christmas: The Sod House 130th Anniversary Celebration. Christmas trees throughout the museum will be decorated with quilt blocks while Silver Strings and Friends will play country, Christmas, and gospel tunes, and the Friends of the Sod House will provide cider and treats while they raffle off a queen-sized Chickadee and tree-themed quilt.
December 14. Tickets, $2-$10. okhistory.org

By Ben Luschen
You might know him as the guy who produced for The Beatles, Paul McCartney, and Pink Floyd. You might also possibly know him from the iconic album based on Issac Asimov’s I Robot decades before Will Smith got a hold of it. But me, I know him as the guy whose music plays when you’re about to see Michael Jordan (Hums the “Sirius” intro theme used by the ’90s Chicago Bulls). That’s right, I am speaking of none other than Alan Parsons, the production genius behind the art and progressive rock titans The Alan Parsons Project. You can see the legend out of London for yourself this weekend, Saturday, December 14, at Tulsa’s Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Spend your night with the man behind the boards for such monumental albums as Abbey Road and The Dark Side of the Moon. I can’t promise you that THE Michael Jordan will be in attendance, but Parsons is the Michael Jordan of early 70s British rock production, so close enough. Tickets are $69.50-$89.50. Call (918) 384-7800.
December 14. Tickets, $69.50-$89.50. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Alan Parsons has been in the room for the creation of some of the most significant albums of all time. He performs this week at Tulsa's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photo courtesy Alan Parsons

By Kiersten Stone
Giddy up, y’all, and head on down to my hometown of Anadarko to partake in the Cowboy Town Christmas. The seventh annual celebration is set to include many family-fun activities, such as visiting the sheriff’s office, taking pictures with Santa, stopping by the petting zoo and bounce house, and trying your hand at riding the mechanical bull. For a tamer ride though, guests can hop on board the live nativity trailer for a scene by scene telling of the birth of Christ or take a barrel train ride through the enchanted elf forest. There’s also a number of spots for photo ops under the lights and all around the Christmas atmosphere. Don’t miss a visit to the Saloon though for a cup of homemade hot chocolate and a plate of signature cowboy chow. Tickets are limited though, so get yours quick to experience this old western holiday extravaganza on December 14, 15, 21, and 22.
December 14-15 and 21-22. Admission, $12. facebook.com/cowboyadventurestartshere

Celebrate Christmas the Western way at Anadarko's Cowboy Town Christmas. Photo courtesy Cowboy Town

By Nathan Gunter
As Mariah Carey says once a year, “It’s tiiiiiiiiiiime!”

No, I’m not referring to the yearly return to the top of the charts of the pop queen’s seasonal anthem “All I Want for Christmas.” I’m referring to the making of New Year’s Resolutions, far too many of which seem to revolve around beginning an exercise routine that is so far outside the bounds of our abilities and personalities as to be funny.

But what if we could run freely, with silliness, not worrying about our heart rate or getting into a six-pack by summer? What if we could embrace how ridiculous we always look when we run? The folks at Edmond Parks and Recreation have the event for you: The Ugly Sweater Run happens from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, December 14. Put on your absolute ugliest piece of holiday apparel and take on an untimed 5K or a one-mile fun run through Mitch Park. And if you bring a coat to donate, you’ll get a light-up necklace to wear during the race—a little extra bit of tacky to bring along. And naturally, the ugliest sweater will win a prize, though the first person to finish the race just gets a firm handshake, so don’t knock yourselves out. Registration is $25 and includes a long-sleeve T-shirt. The first hundred to sign up will receive an ugly sweater ornament for their Christmas tree. Registration is $25 and can be done at the link below. For more information, call (405) 359-4630.
December 14. Registration, $25. edmondok.civicrec.com

By Karlie Ybarra
With all the wish lists and grocery trips and plane tickets and decorations to buy, the holiday season can feel like one big financial hole from which you may never recover. Remembering why we celebrate in the first place is a great way to get the falalala back in your step, and what better way to do that than watching It’s A Wonderful Life in an equally wonderful setting. On December 15 at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami, for only $5 folks can watch George Bailey learn the most valuable lesson from his bumbling guardian angel: it’s not wealth but love that gives a life value. Call (918) 540-2425.
December 15. Tickets, $5. thecolemantheatre.org

Christmas technically sill comes even without watching It's A Wonderful Life—but it probably won't feel like it unless you do. Get your annual dose at Miami's Coleman Theatre.

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.