From a 40-foot inflatable leg lamp that pays homage to the film "A Christmas Story" to an Airstream trailer pop-up experience inspired by “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation," an array of attractions are making the holidays merry across Oklahoma
Families and fun-seekers can zip across the ice at several outdoor rinks, hop aboard "The Polar Express," hit the snowtubing slopes at the Bricktown Ballpark and more.
Here is a sampling of the holiday attractions offered around the Sooner State this season:
Winter Glow at Riversport
When: Through Jan. 9.
Where: Riversport, 800 Riversport Drive.
Information: https://www.riversportokc.org/events/winter-glow.
Take in a Nordic experience that includes indoor ice skating, Olympic curling, alpine climbing, skiing and snowboarding, plus hot chocolate, s’mores and firepits, all wrapped up with holiday lights and Santa on Saturdays. Riversport's new synthetic ice rink and curling courts offer an icy experience without ice.
WinterFest and Snow Tubing
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Dr.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com.
The snow tubing was canceled 2020 due to COVID-19, but the popular Downtown in December attraction returns this year. Along with the giant snow tubing slope, attendees can watch holiday movies on the video board, see sparkling holiday lighting and décor and buy seasonal snacks.
'The Polar Express' Train Ride
When: Through Dec. 28.
Where: Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd.
Information and tickets:okcthepolarexpressride.com.
After it was derailed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the popular book- and movie-based holiday experience returns to OKC for more opportunities for riders to partake of "Hot Chocolate" and "Believe" in Santa's magic.
Red Earth Treefest
When: Through Jan. 2.
Where: Shoppes at Northpark, 12100 N May Ave.
Information: https://www.redearth.org.
For the seventh year, the nonprofit Red Earth Art Center has invited Oklahoma-based American Indian nations to decorate evergreens with handmade ornaments and art objects to showcase the distinctive culture of each tribe. The display is free to see.
Frontier City's Holiday in the Park
When: Through Jan. 2
Where: Frontier City, 11501 N I- 35 Service Rd.
Information: https://www.sixflags.com/frontiercity.
OKC's Six Flags theme park will be decked out for the holidays with dazzling lights, wood-burning fire pits and strolling carolers, along with seasonal shows and four immersive Festive Wonderlands: Candy Cane Lane, Merry Mistletoe, Winter Wonderland and Gingerbread Village.
Devon Ice Rink
When: Through Jan. 30.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno.
Information: www.myriadgardens.org.
After missing 2020, the Devon Ice Rink returns for its 10th season in the Myriad Gardens, offering 5,500 square feet of real ice, glittering lights and seasonal food and beverage offerings.
Free OKC Streetcar rides
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 3.
Where: Downtown OKC.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com.
The free rides are part of OKC's Downtown in December and mark the OKC Streetcar's third anniversary.
Art Afloat OKC's Showboat Caroling Cruises
When: 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Fridays in December.
Where: Bricktown Canal.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com/art-afloat-okc.
The new concert series in which local musicians play shows on the Water Taxi boats floating on the Bricktown Canal goes holiday themed to close out its first year. Passengers can meet up at Put a Cork In It Winery, 115 E California, for warm beverages then hop aboard the newly painted Bricktown Water Taxis to listen to holiday songs sung by local carolers.
14th annual Arvest Winterfest
When: Through Jan. 3.
Where: Outside BOK Center, 200 S Denver in Tulsa.
Information: www.tulsawinterfest.com.
The downtown Tulsa holiday festival will include a skating rink, 44-foot holiday tree and weekend festivities ranging from horse-drawn carriage rides and free live entertainment to the Winterfest Express Train and Sundays with Santa.
Chickasha Leg Lamp
When: Through Jan. 2, weather permitting.
Where: Outside the Rock Island Depot, downtown Chickasha.
Information: "Chickasha Leg Lamp" on Facebook or www.facebook.com/VisitChickashaOk.
The Grady County seat kicked off a social media sensation last year with its 40-foot inflatable leg lamp, viewable 24 hours a day, weather permitting. A giant version of the one famously featured in the 1983 film "A Christmas Story," the “indescribably beautiful” attraction is posed on a 10-foot box labeled "fragile" and planted on the east end of Chickasha Avenue. Since it can’t always be displayed in windy weather, there are plans to build a more permanent version to honor local ties with the iconic film prop.
Midtown Holiday Pop-Up Shops
When: Dec. 3-5, 10-12 and 17-19.
Where: NW 10th and Hudson Avenue.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com/midtown-pop-ups.
The shops return for their 10th year, bringing back the iconic geodesic domes along with the market tents introduced last season.
Tahlequah's Snowflake Winter Festival Ice Rink
When: Through Jan. 2.
Where: Downtown Tahlequah, across from Norris Park, 400 N Muskogee Ave.
Information: https://www.tourtahlequah.com.
Tahlequah's ice rink returns this holiday season.
Edmond Ice Rink
When: Through Jan. 3.
Where: Mitch Park, 1501 W Covell Rd., Edmond.
Information: https://www.edmondicerink.com.
Zip and glide across the real ice at the rink next to the silo in Mitch Park. The rink also is adjacent to Edmond Electric's fourth annual Luminance holiday lights display.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s contactless Santa visits
When: Through Dec. 24.
Where: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations.
Information: www.basspro.com/santa or www.cabelas.com/santa.
Starting last year, the retailers reimagined their free Santa's Wonderland experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic, placing a glare-free acrylic protective barrier between St. Nick and visiting families, creating a “Contactless Claus” experience. Online reservations are required for photos with Santa.
Bonus Magazines
Learn about launching the world’s most powerful telescope in NASA or the groups helping soldiers ease into civilian life in Veterans Affairs.
Bartlesville's Christmas in the Ville
When: Dec. 3-Jan. 2.
Where: 201 S Keeler Ave., downtown Bartlesville.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/christmasintheville.
Opening night for the outdoor skating rink is set for 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3, with festivities including the holiday tree and park lighting, appearances by the "Frozen" princesses, food trucks, movies in the park, carriage rides, Santa sightings and more.
The Airdream Social Club 'Cousin' Eddie's' holiday pop-up experience
When: Weekends and select weekdays through Dec. 23.
Where: 1616 N Blackwelder Ave.
Information: https://www.theairdream.com.
The Airdream Social Club, founded by local creatives Abbi Rinderknecht and Hillary Self in an Airstream trailer, will present its first pop-up experience this holiday season in the Plaza District. With "Cousin Eddie’s," inspired by the film “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation," attendees, aka extended family, will be invited to partake of themed drinks, music and photo opportunities.
Holiday on Ice in Downtown Enid
When: Through Jan. 2.
Where: 400 S Independence.
Information: https://www.visitenid.org.
For the second year, Garfield County seat is hosting an outdoor ice rink between the Stride Bank Center and the art installation Under Her Wing was the Universe.
Broken Arrow's BA Ice Rink
When: Through Jan. 3.
Where: 418 S Main Street.
Information: https://www.baicerink.com.
It's the sixth season for the ice rink in Broken Arrow's Rose District.
For more holiday activities, visit The Oklahoman.
Related Links
Oklahoma County has more million-dollar homes than ever before.
Unemployment nears pre-COVID levels, but Oklahoma workforce participants lag behind national average
If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.
