Weekly Events Calendar: January 13-19, 2025

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.

Leave the to bean or not to bean debate at home, this Chili Bowl is actually about high-octane midget sprint car racing at Tulsa Expo Square. People from around the country gather to watch more than three hundred racers compete in small but mighty vehicles across the indoor clay track. Qualifiers take place throughout the week, culminating in the championship round on Saturday. Be sure to call (918) 838-3777 for tickets because they won’t be available at the gate.
Through January 18. Tickets, $10-$12 (Call (918) 838-3777 to purchase). chilibowl.com

Midget sprint car champions will be crowned this week at the Chili Bowl inside Tulsa Expo Square. Photo courtesy Chili Bowl

While drivers and automobiles will be settling the score up north in Tulsa, a different type of horse power is on display this week in Guthrie. The International Finals Rodeo at Lazy E Arena brings together the best cowboys and cowgirls from the United States and Canada to compete in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, cowgirl barrel racing and bull riding. World champions will be crowned and the crowd gets to see real-life ropin’ and ridin’. Everyone wins.
January 16-19. Tickets, $20-$119. lazye.com

Well, way down yonder at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center, the legendary Alan Jackson will be performing on what the artist says will be his final national tour. Known for hit songs like "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere,” “Country Boy," and (of course) “Chatahoochee,” and with sixteen career studio albums under his belt, this has all the makings of a can’t-miss bucket list concert.
January 18. Tickets start at $60. paycomcenter.com

The names Outlaw, El Loco Oso, and Carolina Crusher might sound like handles a professional wrestler might go by, and while that is not entirely accurate in this case, what is a monster truck if not a wrestler-on-wheels? Feel free to yell and cheer just as you would for any cage bout during the Duncan Monster Truck Wars this Saturday at Duncan’s Stephens County Fairgrounds. These twelve thousand pound behemoths will crush, jump, spin, and rumble to the delight of all those who attend. Kids with power wheels of their own are even allowed to race them around the fairgrounds.
January 18. Tickets, $10-$100. event.attendstar.com

Trucks like The Sheriff will defy gravity and drop plenty of jaws during the Duncan Monster Truck Wars at Stephens County Fairgrounds. Photo courtesy Monster Truck Wars

We know some readers still have Christmas lights up, but it’s already time to start thinking about the next big commercial holiday on the calendar: Valentine’s Day. There will be candy hearts and flowers a-plenty to buy at every corner store, but those looking for a unique gift to let that special someone know you’re thinking of them, check out the Indian Sweetheart Market in Glenpool. Jewelry, leatherwork, blankets, artwork, and more will be available to purchase from local Indigenous creators that Saturday at the Glenpool Conference Center. There’s always time to buy new flowers—but a new leather purse or billfold is a gift that will still be around in many Valentine’s Days to come. Plus Indian tacos, concessions, and live music will be there while you shop. Call (918) 998-4549 for more information.
January 18. Admission, $5. facebook.com

Leather goods from Celesta Johnson's boutique will be among the custom crafts and wares for purchase at the Indian Sweetheart Market inside the Glenpool Conference Center. Photo courtesy Indian Sweetheart Market

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.