Looking to start some new family traditions for the Christmas season? The Oklahoma City and metro areas have tons of events, lights festivals and opportunities to see Santa to add to your family Christmas bucket list! I’ve put together a list of some old favorites as well as a few awesome, new events that are worth checking out with the family this year.

 

Territorial Christmas at Harn Homestead Museum

Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, food truck fare and tours of the Harn House as they decorate the grounds for the holidays on November 29!

 

Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll at Mitch Park in Edmond

This is an awesome new free activity open through the month of December! Luminance will hold it’s lighting ceremony with holiday music by the Edmond Fine Arts Youth Choir on December 1 at 6PM. Families will experience impressive 3D lighted displays including a 25-foot light tunnel. Grab dinner under the lights on December 15 at a selection of food trucks.

 

Illuminations at Myriad Gardens Crystal Bridge

Illuminations: A Northern Light Experience in the Crystal Bridge runs through January 1 on Tuesdays through Sundays, and gives us Okies the chance to experience something totally unique. It is a  brand new light show that goes beyond the typical holiday string lights and transports you to the Northern Lights. I can’t wait to check this one off my family Christmas bucket list myself!

 

Yukon’s Christmas in the Park

Yukon’s Christmas in the Park attracts tourists from all over the nation, as it grows every year! This event runs through New Year’s Eve, and displays are lit every night 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Drive through 3 miles of holiday lights and unique light displays. You can park your car and take a self-guided walking tour through 2.2 miles of walking trails, where you’ll meet various costumed characters out and about. Rides on the Santa Express are offered every night 6-10 PM in good weather.

Visit on one of the following days for an extra special treat!

• Dec 20: OKC Philharmonic Presents “Sounds of the Season”
• Dec 21: Annual Mayor’s Christmas Party

 

 

Holiday Pop-Up Shops

The 2018 Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Midtown rotate weekly, and they are now open for the season! This is a great way to shop local, discover new shops and support your favorite Okie brands while hunting for those perfect Christmas gifts. Shops will be open through December 23 (check their site for details on hours and for shop lists.)

December 8-9, you’ll find more holiday pop-ups at Holly Jolly Shops at the Brick at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The ballpark hosts over 50 regional shops and food vendors, and the event will feature Christmas movies and two real, live reindeer!

 

Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas

Experience Guthrie’s historic Christmas celebration! You can tour Guthrie’s historic homes, which have been decked out for the season with decorations and holiday treats. The Victorian Walks showcase carolers dressed in period clothing while you wander among the red brick historic buildings, immersing yourself in historic Christmas spirit.  The first night for both events is December 8. It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play will also be performed at the Pollard Theatre on many evenings throughout December.

 

Oklahoma Railway Museum Christmas Train Rides

The Oklahoma Railway Museum hosts its annual Christmas train on Saturday December 8, 15, & 22, 2018.

Families have the opportunity to see Santa, sing Christmas carols and enjoy some Christmas stories. There will be a hot cocoa and cookie reception after the ride with lots of other goodies available.

 

Frontier City’s Inaugural Holiday in the Park

From holiday-themed shows to Christmas singalongs and campfire s’mores, you will find plenty of interactive Christmas spirit at Frontier City’s winter wonderland. You’re sure to run into Mr. and Mrs. Clause here, and many of the park’s rides are transformed for the holiday. Don’t miss the music and light show on Main Street, complete with snow machines!

 

Holiday Bricktown Water Taxi Rides

The water taxi will have FREE rides where you can float down the decked out Bricktown canal on Thursday-Sunday at 6-9 PM, through December 30.

 

Devon Energy’s Saturdays with Santa

Devon Energy hosts Oklahoma City’s Downtown in December with tons of events (which you can find here), but if you and your kids are looking for Santa, he’ll be at the Devon Energy Center December 1 and 8 between 8 AM- 5 PM. Check out their activity map to see a list of fun things to do with the kids, from crafts to an obstacle course and free carousel rides. This is definitely family tradition material!

 

Oklahoma City and surrounding areas are really filled with Christmas spirit at this time of the year, and I only scratched the surface here!