From Christmas parades to tree lighting festivals, holiday events abound across Oklahoma
From Tahlequah's Cookie Stroll on Main to Ardmore's Christmas Hoopla in Central Park, the holiday season offers plenty of occasions to get festive across Oklahoma.
In Oklahoma City, the Red Earth TreeFest will feature holiday evergreens decked out with handmade ornaments showcasing the distinctive cultures of many Oklahoma Native American nations, the Oklahoma City Dodgers are hosting snow tubing inside the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, and the Braum's Holiday River Parade will put skiing elves, decorated boats and Santa Claus on the Oklahoma River.
Although it's impossible to list them all, here is a selection of Sooner State holiday events happening this season:
Red Earth TreeFest
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 30.
Where: Red Earth Art Center, BancFirst Tower south lobby, 100 N Broadway Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/redearthinc.
The nonprofit organization has invited Oklahoma-based Native American nations to decorate evergreens with handmade ornaments and art objects to showcase the distinctive culture of each tribe. The display is free to see. (The art center will be closed Nov. 24-25 and Dec. 26.)
Claremore's Dickens on the Boulevard
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 19.
Where: Downtown Claremore.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/LilacDistrictOK.
The Victorian-themed festival will feature live entertainment, photos with Santa and living history window displays.
OKC Streetcar Free Weekend Rides
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Downtown OKC.
Information: https://okcstreetcar.com.
Take advantage of complimentary fares on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Enid Lights Up the Plains
When: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 25.
Where: Downtown Enid.
Information: https://www.mainstreetenid.org.
The festivities will include live music, a parade, food trucks, horse-drawn wagon rides and the lighting of the towering Christmas tree deemed "The One" at 7:30 p.m., which will be followed by fireworks.
Santa's Ozark Mountain Village
When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 25-26, Dec. 3 and 17.
Where: Har-Ber Village, 4404 W 20th, Grove.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/HarBerVillageMuseum.
The unique museum will feature holiday vendors, snow every hour, wine tastings, music, 40,000 lights and more.
OKC Dodgers Winterfest and Snow Tubing
When: Nov. 25-Jan. 1.
Where: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Drive.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com/snow-tubing.
Along with snow tubing, the activities will include holiday movies on the video board, hot chocolate, snacks, and sparkling lights and decorations.
15th annual Arvest Winterfest
When: Nov. 25-Jan. 8.
Where: Outside BOK Center, 200 S Denver in Tulsa.
Information: www.tulsawinterfest.com.
The downtown Tulsa holiday festival includes a skating rink, huge holiday tree and weekend festivities ranging from horse-drawn carriage rides and free live entertainment to the Winterfest Express Train and Sundays with Santa.
Guthrie's Territorial Christmas Celebrations
When: Opening Day is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 26.
Where: Downtown Guthrie.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/GuthriesTerritorialChristmas.
Opening day festivities on Nov. 26 involve a sidewalk sale, food trucks, holiday activities and the Lighted Christmas Parade at 6 p.m., followed by the Territorial Governor Ceremonies and lighting of Honor Park. Other events include the Guthrie Distinctive Homes Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and Victorian Walks from noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10.
Holiday VIBES
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1.
Where: Downtown Edmond.
Information: https://edmondvibes.org.
Edmond's first Thursday art event gets its first holiday edition, which will highlight seasonal goodies and gifts at businesses along the Broadway corridor from Second Street to Main Street. More than 40 visual artists will set up on sidewalks and inside shops with artwork and gift items for sale.
Braum's Holiday River Parade
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3.
Where: Oklahoma River.
Information: https://www.riversportokc.org/events/holiday-river-parade.
The popular event will see the return of skiing elves, a parade of decorated boats sparkling on the Oklahoma River, the arrival of Santa Claus and fireworks. It's part of Riversport's Winter Glow holiday family experience, which runs Nov. 25-Dec. 30 and includes ice skating, curling, climbing, skiing and snowboarding on the Ski OKC indoor slope, plus firepits and dazzling lights.
Edmond Holiday Hop
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 3.
Where: Edmond Historical Society & Museum, 431 S Boulevard; 1889 Territorial Schoolhouse, 124 E Second; and Rodkey Victorian House, 410 S Littler.
Information: https://www.edmondhistory.org/events.
Activities include Santa photos, historic games and crafts, cocoa and the opportunity to see a live model train Christmas display by the Toy Train Operating Society.
Saints Santa Run
When: 8 a.m. Dec. 3.
Where: SSM Health St. Anthony, 1000 N Lee Ave. in Midtown.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com.
Folks who prefer to run like Rudolph through the holidays should check out the merriment of this 5K race, one-mile Fun Run and free Kids' Dash where festive garb is highly encouraged.
Tahlequah's Cookie Stroll on Main
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3.
Where: Downtown Tahlequah.
Information: http://www.tahlequahmainstreet.com.
Christmas cookie aficionados can buy a special box and make the rounds to participating downtown Tahlequah merchants, collecting two dozen gourmet cookies as they go.
First Americans Museum's Winter Holiday Arts Market
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3-4.
Where: First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd.
Information: https://famok.org and https://www.facebook.com/store.famok.
Nicknamed WHAM@FAM, the second annual indoor holiday market will feature more than 50 artists and vendors on both levels of the museum. Admission will be free for the market, but tickets to the galleries will be regular price. A members-only market preview is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
Automobile Alley’s Lights on Broadway
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10.
Where: Broadway Avenue between NW 4 and 10.
Information: https://www.automobilealley.org.
The historic downtown OKC district dazzles this time of year, with more than 600,000 kaleidoscopic LED lights curtaining the buildings along North Broadway and its side streets. Various shops and restaurants will feature buzz-worthy window displays, pop-up activities, special promotions and giveaways, live music, balloon art, performances, photos with Santa Claus, and more.
American Banjo Museum's Candy Cane Christmas
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 4.
Where: American Banjo Museum, 9 E Sheridan.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/American.Banjo.Museum.
The building that houses the museum was once a candy factory that made candy canes during the holiday season, so its premier yuletide event features live music, photos with Santa and Christmas treats. Admission is free for children 15 and younger and for adults who bring a new, unwrapped toy to support the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner.
Shepherd's Cross Living Nativity & Pecan-Walnut Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 8-10 and 15-17.
Where: Shepherd's Cross, 16792 E 450 Road, Claremore.
Information: https://shepherdscross.com.
Along with the walk-through interactive nativity, including live character portrayals and farm animals, the event will feature spinning and weaving demonstrations, fresh cracked and candied nuts, and calm outdoor Christmas lights.
Holiday Stuffed Animal Sleepover
When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9.
Where: Edmond Historical Society & Museum, 431 S Boulevard, Edmond.
Information: https://www.edmondhistory.org.
Participants can take part in a craft and story time, snack on milk and cookies, and then leave their stuffed animals to explore the museum. Staff will compile pictures of their explorations into a digital photo album, and stuffed animal pick-up is set for Dec. 10. Space is limited and advanced registration is required.
Ardmore's Christmas Hoopla
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 9.
Where: Central Park, 14 E St. SW, Ardmore.
Information: https://chickasawcountry.com/events.
Families can write letters to Santa, make a holiday craft and sip hot chocolate while watching the 2012 film “Rise of the Guardians” on the big screen.
Tulsa Christmas Parade
When: 11 a.m. Dec. 10.
Where: Downtown Tulsa.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/ChristmasParadeofTulsa.
A yuletide tradition since 1926, the parade will feature floats, balloons, bands and Santa himself.
Fort Reno's Firing of the Christmas Guns
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 17.
Where: Historic Fort Reno, 7107 W Cheyenne St., El Reno.
Information: http://www.fortreno.org/christmas-guns.
A literal blast from the past brought to Oklahoma by German immigrants, the traditional discharging of firearms such as cannons and guns was believed to dispel evil spirits in preparation for the upcoming holiday. Along with the guns, the festivities will include storytelling, food and a visit from Santa.
Factory Obscura's March of the Trees
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17.
Where: Factory Obscura, 25 NW Ninth.
Information: https://www.factoryobscura.com/events/2022/march-of-the-trees.
On the longest night of the year, illuminate the darkness with lights and costumes. Participants are invited to dress as trees — holiday trees, butterfly trees, forest trees or trees of life — and celebrate the winter solstice.
Menorah Lighting
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 18.
Where: Scissortail Park's Love's Travel Stops Stage & Great Lawn, 300 SW Seventh.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events/menorah-lighting-by-the-chabad-community-center.
Celebrate the festival of lights and Hanukkah with the Chabad Community Center.
Opening Night
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Bicentennial Park, 500 Couch Drive.
Information: https://www.artscouncilokc.com/opening-night.
The New Year's Eve festivities will include live music, a mural competition, a children’s area and a midnight fireworks extravaganza. Get an early start on celebrating at 3 p.m. with the Finale 5K.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Christmas in OKC: Events, lights and celebrations to check out
