Weekly Events Calendar, December 12-18, 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.

Is Christmas in Germany really this awesome? Every year, El Reno's Historic Fort Reno celebrates the holidays the way they were taught by German immigrants—with firearms. Fort Reno Christmas Guns includes the blasting of both cannons and guns to dispel evil spirits before the coming holidays. Enjoy storytelling, tasty snacks, and even a visit from (a presumably unarmed) Santa Claus. **December 17. Admission, free. [fortreno.org/christmas-guns

Blast away evil spirits the historic way at Fort Reno Christmas Guns in El Reno. Photo courtesy Historic Fort Reno

Few Oklahoma towns nail quaint and welcoming as well as Medicine Park. This week, the town is pulling out all the stops (except for the one at the end) during the Medicine Park Christmas Parade & Carnival. Games and contests will abound for visitors of all ages in the morning and then at 2 p.m., the parade begins on East Lake Drive with decorated floats, clip-clopping horses, and the ubiquitous December guest of honor, Saint Nick. December 17. Admission, free. medicinepark.com

Make like a tree and . . . stroll? Celebrate your ardor for arbor during the March of the Trees in Oklahoma City. Photo courtesy Factory Obscura

December 17 is the longest night of the year and not just because you've seen everything on Netflix already. Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City celebrates this lengthy night with its March of the Trees. Dress as a fir, an elm, even a Bradford pear if you must, or really any kind of tree you can think of and then join the mobile forest at Oklahoma Contemporary's Studio School before heading off down Automobile Alley to a live concert at Factory Obscura's Mix-Tape. December 17. Admission, free. factoryobscura.com

And a Trippy New Year

December is hard. It's cold. It's busy and expensive and kind of stressful. If a good stretch won't help, maybe seeing some other people stretching will at Cirque Dreams Holidaze at the BOK Center in Tulsa. This hard-to-explain show is part circus, part Broadway, and all spectacle with three hundred costumes, twenty unique acts, music, and more. December 18. Tickets, $33-$103. bokcenter.com

See one of Oklahoma's gems sparkling during Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights near Bartlesville. Photo by Kathryn Peaster Photography

One of Oklahoma's greatest treasures can be found just outside of Bartlesville at Woolaroc Ranch, Museum, & Wildlife Preserve. It's a joy to visit any time of year, but the holidays are extra special. Catch the Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights in its last week and ride a wagon through more than 750,000 twinkling lights in a stunning holiday display. There's also live entertainment, holiday snacks, and a chance to visit Santa in the museum. December 16-18. Admission, $1-$6. woolaroc.org

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.