Weekly Events Calendar: May 5-11, 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.

Rubber ducky, you’re the one! At least that is what the people who attend the KenDucky Derby this week at the Symphony Show House in Oklahoma City will be thinking as their favorite squeaky yellow bathtub companions race for prizes through tranquil waters in the great indoors. The next best thing to a visit to Churchill Downs will be attending this fun and creative fundraiser benefiting music education programs. Come dressed in your best derby hats and attire.
May 8. Tickets, $100.
okcphil.org/symphony-show-house

Lovers of Pete’s Place or any of the fan-favorite Italian restaurants in the nearby town of Krebs can’t miss the annual McAlester Italian Festival. The McAlester area is a historic hub for Italian immigrants and their descendants, with more than one famous red-sauce Italian restaurant to visit. This annual gathering at the Southeast Expo Center boasts delicious Italian food, live entertainment for all ages and shopping among the hundreds of vendors, craft show booths and fine art booths. Cloudy of not, we’re thinking a strong chance of meatballs at this event.
May 9-10. Admission, free.
themcalesteritalianfestival.org

Visitors should come hungry for the annual McAlester Italian Festival, which returns this week to the Pittsburg County Regional Exposition Center. Photo by Lori Duckworth

The Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center is opening up for the season this week, and they will also be celebrating their forty-seventh birthday with the Archeology Day & Birthday Bash event. The mounds site is the only prehistoric American Indian archaeological site in the state open to the public. This all-day event features light refreshments and the opportunity for guests to speak with the site director about some exciting new developments in the works, including new trail signage, mound rehabilitation, and a new exhibit in the interpretive center.
May 10. Admission, free.
okhistory.org

A lot of people love gaming, and although it is a hobby that can be enjoyed alone, most can agree gaming is better as a communal activity. Okies with a passion for digital competition will find their people at Oklahoma’s Gaming Frenzy this week at Tulsa Expo Center Central Park Hall. Retro gamers and modern console enthusiasts alike will find common ground at this gathering featuring appearances by some fan-favorite content creators and streamers. Compete in gaming competitions and tournaments, make some new friends in free play, and take home a prize in one of several raffle giveaways.
May 10. Admission, $5.
facebook.com

Enjoy gaming competitions, freeplay, and meetups with some fellow video-game enthusiasts at Oklahoma's Gaming Frency at Tulsa Expo Center.

This must be the season for cultural food festivals. While the people of McAlester are celebrating Italian heritage, the traditional Lebanese background of Bristow will take center stage during the Bristow Tabouleh Festival. Tabouleh (and all the other accepted ways you can spell the bulgur wheat salad dish) will be in great supply, as will other favorites like cabbage rolls and baklava. The food is reason enough to go, but visitors can also enjoy a parade, 5K run, wine tasting, live music, games, and a carnival-like atmosphere.
May 10. Admission, free.
bristowtaboulehfest.com

Tabouleh, no matter how you prefer to spell it, will be plentiful at the annual Bristow Tabouleh Festival this Saturday. Photo courtesy Pixabay

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.