Friday, Jan. 4

Don’t let the cold keep you from the exciting experience of discovering new art. Tulsa’s Brady Arts District and Oklahoma City’s Paseo Arts District open the doors to the public the first Friday of every month with exciting new works on exhibit by both established and emerging artists. The Paseo’s 17 galleries (including JRB Art at the Elms and Visions in the Paseo Art Gallery) are all within walking distance of one another, as are the growing Brady venues, which includes Living Arts of Tulsa, the Tulsa Artists’ Coalition Gallery, Tulsa Glassblowing Studio and the new arts centers at the Zarrow Center for Art and Education and Hardesty Arts Center. Many have opening night receptions on First Friday, which means, you’ll often enjoy meeting the artists, too. The Brady walk begins at 6 p.m. Friday. Stop at the local restaurants, pubs and bars for even more entertainment and activity. In Tulsa, crawlers can hop the downtown trolley and visit the other hotspots in downtown Tulsa. The Paseo walk begins at 6 p.m. Friday and lasts until 10 p.m. It continues Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Think of it as an adventure, because with discovery, it always is. For more, go to www.thebradyartsdistrict.com and www.thepaseo.com.
 

Concludes Thursday, Jan. 3

Oklahoma City State Fair Park becomes Paint Horse Central for the eighth annual Oklahoma Paint Horse Club winter event that includes specialty shows, classes and much more. The show concludes Thursday with judges still on the watch for excellence in rider and horsemanship at both youth and amateur levels. Also look for other events such as the arts and gifts silent auction and expo. It all takes place at 3001 General Pershing Blvd. Show events are free and open to the public. For more, visit the state fair park website at okstatefair.com.
 

Tuesday, January 1, 1 p.m.

Do you dare undertake the Polar Bear Plunge? It’s two miles and three pools of frigid adventure on the Tulsa tundra known as the west bank of the Arkansas River. All it takes is your most outrageous get-up/swimsuit/costume and an unmatched obsession for medals – medals, which rest at the bottom of each pool. Whether Tulsa is facing its all-time high or low for Jan. 1, the run is on for 1 p.m. You’re always saying you want to begin the new year with a healthy start. Take the plunge, and you certainly won’t forget it. Register online at www.tatur.org.

 Thursday, Dec. 27-Sunday, Dec. 30

The days are cold, but the engines are running hot at the QuikTrip Center at Expo Square for this big race event for midget and micro sprint cars (a precursor to next month’s Chili Bowl) at Expo Square’s QuikTrip Center that also includes a tradeshow. Go to www.tulsashootout.com for a complete schedule of classes, heat races and more.

Monday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m.

Rock out 2012 with the Randy Rogers Band at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St., in Tulsa. Kyle Park opens for the act. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27-$51, available online at www.cainsballroom.com. Go online to find out more about New Year’s Eve at Cain’s Ballroom.

Monday, Dec. 31

Looking for the perfect way to say “goodbye” to the year that was? Welcome 2013 in with a blast at one of these cool parties and gatherings. And, don’t forget a designated driver to be sure everyone has a fun and safe time.

Brady New Year’s Eve Party: The ball will drop at midnight, but doors open at 8 p.m. www.bradyparty.com

FireLake Grand New Year’s Celebration: The Shawnee casino lights up the night with fireworks to welcome in 2013 with music, great food and drinks and special attractions. www.grandshawnee.com

Opening Night: Downtown Oklahoma City throws the party of the year on New Year’s Eve once more with great music performances, dancing, theater, fireworks and activities for this family-friendly attraction. www.artscouncilokc.com

NYE Olive Drop 2013: Live music, dancing, party favors, appetizers and more lead up to the big toast at midnight at Bartlesville’s Price Tower Arts Center. www.pricetower.org

Midnight at the Mayo: New Year’s Eve with live music, a DJ and fun in the Crystal Ballroom and Penthouse. www.themayohotel.com

The Party! New Year’s Eve Ball Drop: Indoors or out, the fun goes on with a lighted ball drop, fireworks display, music and more Times Square-style street party festivities at the Blue Dome District in downtown Tulsa. www.newyearsevetulsa.com

New Year’s Eve Gala: Presented at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame with plenty of live music from the region’s jazz favorites. www.myticketoffice.com

Crystal Masquerade New Year’s Eve Ball: Third annual event with a balloon drop at midnight and dancing in merry mystery at the IDL Ballroom. www.tulsacrystalball.com

Hyatt Regency New Year’s Eve Gala: Tulsa radios 94.1 The Sound brings in the new year with the Big Band Theory and Imzadi, a cigar and martini lounge. www.941thesound.com

New Year’s Eve at CityWalk in Bricktown: The multi-club complex brings the celebration to all of its venues and lounges. You decide where you want to ring it in. www.citybrickwalk.com

Through Sunday, Dec. 30

The University of Oklahoma’s Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art concludes the premiere exhibitions of Native American art from an important collection given the university this year. The James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection: Selected Works and Indigenous Aesthetics: Selections from the James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection run through Sunday, Dec. 30. The James T. Bialac Native American Art Collection features work gathered by an Arizona attorney across 50 years. Many times, Bialac met the artists and became friends with them. Admission is free to the museum, located on the OU campus at 555 Elm Ave., in Norman. For viewing hours, go online to www.ou.edu/fjjma.

Saturday, Dec. 29, and Sunday, Dec. 30

Who says Christmas has to end on Dec. 25? Advertisers certainly don’t let the calendar stop them, and neither does Mannheim Steamroller. The band famous for its synth- and drum-laden arrangements of classic Christmas music is still on the road after 25 years with holiday cheer for Tulsa. Stay in the season with Mannheim Steamroller Christmas set for 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chapman Music Hall, 101 E. Third St. Tickets are $25-$50 each and are available at www.myticketoffice.com.

Monday, Dec. 31, at 11 p.m.

Some people would rather spend New Year’s Eve running in the dark, frigid winter night breaking a sweat in sneaks than glam-up in heels and ties at a swank hotel. If that sounds like your ideal, find the path to Race Into the New Year, organized by RunnersWorld. This healthful alternative to the night’s parties is family-oriented, and both begin and ends at River West Festival Park’s amphitheater. There is a 5k run and one-mile fun run, which means there’s an event for everyone. Be outrageous, enjoy the laser light show, sip a little champagne and stay for the fireworks at the end. Go online to www.runnersworldtulsa.com for all the details.

Friday, Dec., 28, at noon

As a music act, you can’t get away with a name like “Spaghetti Eddie” unless you’re fan base is very young or your music is extremely catchy. It’s a good thing that Oklahoma City duo Brendan Parker and Todd Parson – AKA Spaghetti Eddie – are both with fun delightful tunes about cool kitties and, of course, a guy who really likes spaghetti. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 N.E. 52nd St., in Oklahoma City welcomes the guys on stage at noon Friday, Dec. 28. Children will make their own party hats and get free kazoos and noisemakers to play along with their favorite songs. Parents are welcome to sing along at this special concert, too! Admission is $11.95 for adults, $9.95 for children and seniors. Children age 3 and under are free. For other information, go online at www.sciencemuseumok.org.