From OKC Zoo Safari Lights to Chickasha, here are 25 must-see holiday light displays
From Sapulpa's new Route 66 Christmas Chute to Chickasha's 30th anniversary Festival of Light, holiday light displays across Oklahoma are making the season bright.
Here are 25 must-see seasonal light exhibitions glowing across the Sooner State this year.
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Miranda Family Lights
When: Select dates through Dec. 25.
Where: 19544 Talavera Lane, Edmond.
Information: www.facebook.com/mirandafamilylights.
The massive animated light and music show, which was featured in 2019 on "The Great Christmas Light Fight," returns for 2022 after taking the year off in 2021. The display raises money for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. most nights, with extended hours from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 17 and 23.
OKC Zoo Safari Lights
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place.
Information: okczoo.org.
The debut for the OKC Zoo's new light spectacle was a dazzling success last year, and this year's edition features more than 60 new light sculptures highlighting wildlife, aquatic animals and prehistoric creatures that can be viewed in the estimated half-hour driving tour. Online reservations are required.
After the drive-thru experience, visitors can park and re-enter the zoo for an immersive walking tour that starts in the entry plaza with an original musical light performance designed by the Miranda Family Lights. The walking tour continues with interactive light displays through the Children’s Zoo and along the lakeside pathway.
Daily hours are 5:30 to 11 p.m., with the last check-in at 10 p.m.
Downs Family Christmas Lights Ministry
When: Through Jan. 2.
Where: 2900 72 Ave. SE, Norman.
Information: www.downsfamilychristmas.com.
An Oklahoma residence once featured on the TV show “The Great Christmas Light Fight," the snazzy drive-up display synchronized to music continues to bring seasonal cheer. The ministry collects donations for the Regional Food Bank. Weather permitting, daily hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.
Midwest City's Holiday Lights Spectacular
When: Through Dec. 25.
Where: Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, 8700 E Reno Ave., Midwest City.
Information: https://www.midwestcityok.org/parksrec/page/holiday-lights-spectacular.
Started in 1995, the drive-thru spectacle has grown into one of the largest animated light displays in a five-state region, with more than 100 glowing, moving vignettes. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Organizers this year have introduced Walking Wednesdays: Drive-thru access is closed from 6 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday to allow groups to walk through the lights.
John Rex Charter School's Light Up the Holidays
When: Through Dec. 23.
Where: John Rex Charter School, 500 W Sheridan Ave.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com/john-rex-light-show and https://www.facebook.com/johnrexschool.
The middle-schoolers at the downtown OKC charter school have programmed 16,000 holiday lights that can be viewed in drive-thru and walk-through experiences. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
The drive-thru experience is open from 6 to 10 nightly. Opening night for the walk-through experience is 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 15, with interactive lights, hot chocolate and cider vendors, inflatables and more. Subsequent walk-through hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19-23.
Yukon’s Christmas in the Park
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: City Park, Freedom Trail and Chisholm Trail Park, 2200 S Holly Ave., Yukon.
Information: www.yukonok.gov/ChristmasinthePark.
Billed as the state's largest drive-thru light display, the City of Yukon's setup boasts more than 5 million lights and 500 charming displays spread over three interconnected parks, where an ice skating rink and Santa Express Train add to the holiday spirit. Visitors also can walk through the free light show.
Donations are welcome. Daily hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Purcell's Lights from the Heart
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Purcell City Lake, 1400 Chandler Rd., Purcell.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/purcellslightsfromtheheart.
The two-mile drive-thru display features an array of vignettes, from toy soldiers and snowflakes to candy canes and Christmas penguins. Other seasonal treats include kettle corn, hot chocolate and selfies with Santa on Saturdays.
Daily hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Chickasha Festival of Light
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Shannon Springs Park, 2400 S 9, Chickasha.
Information: https://chickashafestivaloflight.org.
Visitors can walk or drive through the nationally recognized 43-acre illuminated spectacle. In honor of its 30th anniversary, organizers introduced this year a new walk-through-only attraction called the Frozen Forest. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Additional treats include an ice skating rink, Ferris wheel, carriage rides and food trucks. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
For the first three weekends of December, celebrants can ride the Santa Shuttle from Chickasha's new downtown park — home of the famed new 50-foot leg lamp statue — to Shannon Springs Park. Round-trip shuttle rides are $2 per person, children 3 and younger ride free, and proceeds benefit Chickasha Public Schools.
Rhema Christmas Lights
When: Through Jan. 2.
Where: Rhema Bible Church campus, 1025 W Kenosha, Broken Arrow.
Information: https://www.rhemalights.org.
Started in 1982, the display features millions of lights adorning the 110-acre campus, where people can walk or drive through for free. The show draws nearly 500,000 visitors annually from Oklahoma and surrounding states.
Hours are 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. daily; donations are appreciated. Horse-drawn carriage rides and concessions are available.
Route 66 Christmas Chute
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: 101 E Dewey Ave., Sapulpa.
Information: https://route66christmaschute.com.
Two years in the making, this new attraction invites people to walk historic Route 66 under 800-foot-long canopies adorned with ornaments, lights and decor in 10 yuletide themes. The singular, walkable Christmas experience also includes events every weekend, pop-up-shops and a scavenger hunt. Daily hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat's Holiday Adventure Zip
When: Select dates through Dec. 28.
Where: 5323 W 31 Street N, Tulsa.
Information: https://postoaklodge.com.
Want to add an adrenaline rush to your holiday lights experience? For $35 a person, gear up and go down the retreat's longest zip line through the woods, which is decked out in an array of seasonal lights and displays.
Winter on Western
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Western Avenue between NW 63 and Grand Boulevard.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/WesternAve.
The local favorite display of dazzling light-wrapped trees made a comeback in 2021 and continues this year.
Muskogee's Garden of Lights
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Honor Heights Park, 1400 Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee.
Information: https://www.muskogeeparks.org.
Drive through and view 130 acres of trees, bushes and water areas decorated for the season, with the park's famed azalea bushes illuminated to simulate their spring blooms. Hayrides and concessions are available.
Admission is $5 a car and $10 per bus or passenger van, with free admission on Mondays.
Edmond Electric's Luminance
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Mitch Park, 1501 W Covell Rd., Edmond.
Information: https://edmondlights.com.
Stroll through 40 3-D displays adjacent to the Edmond Ice Rink. Daily hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
Kringle's Christmas Land
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 12520 S Date Place, Jenks.
Information: www.facebook.com/KringlesChristmasLand.
In 2020, Ben Sumner’s stunning display of vintage mechanized holiday decorations earned him $50,000 on the ABC series “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” Lights are on daily from 6 to 10 p.m. sharp.
Union Station Illumination
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7.
Information: scissortailpark.org.
The free synchronized holiday music and lighting experience brightens the historic landmark from 6 to 10 nightly.
Visitors can check out other attractions like the 40-foot holiday tree, giant menorah and Cocoa Cottage and Village spread across the downtown OKC park, which has several events planned throughout the season.
Muskogee's Castle Christmas
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Rd., Muskogee.
Information: www.okcastle.com.
Celebrants can drive through the Castleton Village, featuring thousands of colorful lights, for free (donations are accepted). Visitors also can pay to take a camel, train or hayride. Hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily.
Automobile Alley Lights
When: Through Jan. 9.
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.
Ardmore Festival of Lights
When: Through Dec. 30.
Where: Ardmore Regional Park, 2704 N Rockford Rd., Ardmore.
Information: https://chickasawcountry.com/events/ardmore-festival-of-lights.
The 1.5-mile drive-thru show is one of the largest holiday light displays in southern Oklahoma. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
Philbrook Festival
When: Select nights through Dec. 24.
Where: Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S Rockford Rd., Tulsa.
Information: https://philbrook.org.
The indoor/outdoor holiday experience includes thousands of holiday lights, cocoa by the fire, visits from Santa, $5 make-and-take art projects and more. Hours are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 15-17 and 21-24.
Advanced timed entry tickets are required. Tickets are $8 for members, free for members 17 and younger, $18 for adults and $6 for youths.
Woodward's Crystal Christmas
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 305 Temple Houston Dr, Woodward.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/crystalchristmaswoodward.
What began in 1995 as a small local light show now shines with more than 2 million holiday lights and 40 animated displays. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturdays.
Chickasaw Cultural Center's Celebration of Lights
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 867 Cooper Memorial Rd., Sulphur.
Information: https://chickasawcountry.com/events/celebration-of-lights-at-the-chickasaw-cultural-center.
The Chickasaw Nation's museum boasts a drive-thru light extravaganza with dozens of displays featuring traditional Christmas themes along with unique cultural additions. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. daily.
Elk City's Christmas in the Park
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Ackley Park, W 3 Street and Pioneer Road, Elk City.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/visitelkcityoklahoma.
Millions of lights and hundreds of festive displays brighten the western Oklahoma park from 6 to 11 nightly.
Free activities like a Holly Jolly Trolley, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Mistletoe Express and more are offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 17.
Woolaroc's Wonderland of Lights
When: Select dates through Dec. 18.
Where: Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Rd., Bartlesville.
Information: https://www.woolaroc.org.
The historic ranch's grounds and buildings are covered with 750,000 lights, and visitors can look for the Holiday Horseman riding across the grounds. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Admission is $6 for adults and teens, $1 for children 4-12 and free for children 3 and younger and Woolaroc members.
Twin Bridges Park of Lights
When: Through Dec. 30.
Where: Grand Lake State Park, 14801 S Oklahoma Highway 137, Fairland.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/twinbridgesparkpartners2.
The park's Twin Bridges Area is illuminated with 40 holiday displays. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. daily.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How to see OKC Safari Zoo Lights, other holiday events
