Have sleigh, will travel? Here are 10 Oklahoma hot spots for Christmas lights
There are numerous holiday light displays and other festive activities just a road trip away from the Oklahoma City metro area. Grab a jacket, air up the car tires and plan to hit the highway to experience the following events destined to but a little jingle in your jangle.
Sapulpa Christmas lights take Route 66
Walk or drive under several blocks of holiday lights and decorations at "The Route 66 Christmas Chute" experience through Jan. 1 in downtown Sapulpa. The chute will be a tunnel of lights and decorations that will start at the corner of Main and Dewey and go the courthouse on the north and south sides of the street. Ten different themes and 35,000 feet of Christmas lights will be featured as visitors make their way along the Christmas Chute to the giant Hope Tree. Check out The Route Christmas Chute Facebook page for more information.
Fantasy Land of Lights in Bartlesville
The annual "Fantasy Land of Lights" is set for 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30 in Johnstone Park in Bartlesville. The holiday event, a project of Bartlesville Daybreak Rotary, will include a synchronized lighted tunnel, music, animated displays and thousands of lights. Admission is free, however organizers said donations will be welcomed to help keep the holiday lights twinkling. Find out more about this Fantasy Land on the event's Facebook page.
Woolaroc wonderland in Bartlesville
Visit the "Wonderland of Lights" at Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road in Bartlesville. The grounds and buildings of Woolaroc will be covered with more than 750,000 lights as the historic ranch transforms itself into a magical winter wonderland for viewing 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday Nov. 25 through Dec. 18. Santa will be at the museum on Fridays and Sundays. Admission to Wonderland of Lights is $6 for adults; $1 for children 12 and younger and free for museum members and children 3 and younger. Admission is not sold in advance. Visitors pay at the front gate to gain entry. For more details, check out Woolaroc's website.
Holiday in the Park in Lawton
Beginning with a "Beloved Christmas Movies"-themed parade and a "Frost Your Fanny" 5K and 1-Mile Glow Fun Walk, "Holiday in the Park" kicks off Nov. 19 and continues through Jan. 1 at Elmer Thomas Park in Lawton. The 5K begins at 5:30 p.m. right before the parade, which begins at 6 p.m. Visitors may drive, walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the park to see the light displays. A Winter Rink for ice skating will be available during the week and hay rides, Snider Petting Zoo, Stories with Santa (2 p.m. Dec. 4), holiday concerts, Living Nativity and food trucks will also be featured. Admission is free, however, guests may make donations at the Gingerbread House to go toward the Rotary's college scholarships for area school students. For more details, visit the Holiday in the Park Facebook page.
Crystal Beach Park in Woodward
More than 2 million lights and displays will be part of the holiday fun at "Chrystal Christmas now through Dec. 31 at Crystal Beach Park in Woodward. Saturday evenings in the park will include pictures with Santa. Check out the event's Facebook page for more information.
Rhema Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow
"Rhema Christmas Lights" will feature more than 3 million lights synchronized to Christmas music beginning at 6 p.m. Nov. 23 and continuing from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. Nov. 24 through Jan. 1. at Rhema Bible Church, 1025 W Kenosha in Broken Arrow. See illuminated festive figures like a gingerbread family with lollipops and gumdrops, Noah's ark with animals, 3D angels and reindeer, a Christmas tree forest, a 50-figure Nativity scene and more. Visitors may drive through the lights in their own car or walk around the park, or view the displays from a horse-drawn carriage. A highlight of the event is Rhema Park bridge, which will be decked out with more than 90,000 lights. Concessions will be available for purchase. Admission to Rhema Christmas Light is free. Donations are accepted. Find out more about Rhema Christmas Lights.
Castle of Muskogee
Check out "Castle Christmas" hosted Nov. 24 through Dec. 31 at the Castle of Muskogee. Highlights will include a large collection of holiday inflatables, Christmas lights around the castle, treats at Rudolph's Cafe and a drive through Castleton Village's winter wonderland. A Christmas Train and tractor-drawn hayrides will also be featured. Castle Christmas will also feature camel and pony rides for children and a visit from Santa and Rudolph. A holiday gift shop will be open as well. This event is free; however, donations will be accepted. Get more information on Castle Christmas.
World’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in Enid
Make your way to downtown Enid to see the world’s tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree for the second year in a row. Named the “Christ Tree,” the 140-foot fir with its 20,000 multi-colored lights and 10,000 ornaments will become the beacon of the season during the second annual 40-day multi-event Christmas celebration called "The One." The celebration will kick off with an opening night and tree lighting ceremony in conjunction with the Enid Lights Up the Plains parade and fireworks show on Nov. 25. Adjacent to the Christ Tree, families can spend time at the popular “Holidays on Ice” outdoor skating rink hosted by Main Street Enid and Stride Bank Center (check ahead for skating costs). The One event will continue through Dec. 31, is free and open to the public. Find out more about "The One" and the ongoing schedule for the celebration.
Living Nativity in Claremore
Visit the walk-through Living Nativity on Dec. 8-10 and Dec. 15-17 at Shepherd's Cross farm, 16792 E 450 Road, a working sheep farm near Claremore. The event, set for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., coincides with the Pecan-Black Walnut Festival at Shepherd's Cross, featuring nuts from the farm's pecan and walnut harvest. Suggested donation is $5 per person, free admission for children age 2 and younger. Packages which include Living Nativity plus tractor-pull wagon ride and take-home crafts range from $7 to $22. Find more details on this annual holiday event.
Halloween-themed Christmas lights in Tulsa
Still hankering for frightfully weird activities though Halloween is long gone? Explore the "Creepy Christmas Light Tour" set for Dec. 9 through 23 in Woodward Park, 2435 S Peoria Drive in Tulsa. Hosted by Tulsa Spirit Tours, the bus tour combines Christmas lights and haunted history to share creepy tales about folklore, traditions and legends amid spooky Christmas music. Reservations are required. Cost is $40 plus a $3 credit card processing fee. Find out more about this hauntingly creepy experience.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: See Christmas lights in Oklahoma at these top 10 spots
