From Route 66 Christmas Chute to OKC Zoo Safari Lights, Oklahoma holiday light displays
From newer attractions like the Oklahoma City Zoo's Safari Lights and Sapulpa's Route 66 Christmas Chute to long-running favorites like the Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular and the Chickasha Festival of Light, holiday light displays are making the season bright across Oklahoma.
Here are must-see yuletide light exhibitions sparkling across the Sooner State this year.
Downs Family Christmas Lights Ministry, Norman
When: Weather permitting, daily hours are 6 p.m. to midnight through the end of the year.
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.
Route 66 Christmas Chute, Sapulpa
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 101 E Dewey Ave., Sapulpa.
Information: https://route66christmaschute.com.
After gaining national attention with its wildly successful debut in 2022, the Route 66 Christmas Chute returns to the Mother Road. The popular 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 special events every weekend, pop-up-shops and a scavenger hunt. Daily hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Muskogee's Garden of Lights
When: Through New Year's Day.
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.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. daily and close at 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Admission is $10 per vehicle, with free admission on Mondays and Tuesdays.
OKC Zoo Safari Lights
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Oklahoma City Zoo, 2000 Remington Place.
Information: okczoo.org.
The OKC Zoo's light spectacle has been a dazzling success since it debuted in 2021. This year's edition not only includes new light displays and interactive lanterns but also earned a nomination in the USA Today 10Best 2023 Readers’ Choice Travel Awards for Best Zoo Lights.
The attraction features numerous light sculptures depicting wildlife, aquatic animals and prehistoric creatures, along with seasonal icons like Santa, elves and reindeer, that can be viewed in an 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. Daily hours are 5:30 to 11 p.m., with last entry at 10 p.m.
Purcell's Lights from the Heart
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Purcell City Lake, 1400 Chandler Road, 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. Visitors can take selfies with St. Nick at Santa on Saturdays in December until Christmas.
Daily hours are 5:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
Edmond Electric's Luminance
When: Through Jan. 1.
Where: Mitch Park, 1501 W Covell Road, Edmond.
Information: https://edmondlights.com.
The annual walk-thru holiday light display features about 40 3-D displays adjacent to the Edmond Ice Rink. Daily hours are 5 to 10 p.m., and several special events are planned during the season. Admission is free.
'Tis the Season at Scissortail Park
When: 6 to 11 p.m. daily through Dec. 31.
Where: Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/Scissortailpark.
Although the seasonal lights at Union Station won't be the same this year, merrymakers can still find the downtown OKC green space all dressed up in holiday lights and decorations.
Plus, the park will play host to a grab bag of yuletide events, including the Cocoa Cottage seasonal snack spot, the Dec. 2 'Tis the Season Holiday Market and Concert, the Dec. 9 Holiday Hoops basketball tournament and more.
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: https://www.yukonchristmas.com.
Billed as the state's largest drive-thru light display, the attraction 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 cheer.
Visitors also can walk through the free light show. Donations are welcome. Daily hours are 6 to 11 p.m.
Muskogee's Castle Christmas
When: Through New Year's Eve.
Where: Castle of Muskogee, 3400 W Fern Mountain Road, 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.
Inside the castle's Great Hall, attendees can shop holiday merchants, buy seasonal snacks and drinks, and visit Santa Claus.
Woolaroc's Wonderland of Lights, Bartlesville
When: Through Dec. 17.
Where: Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, 1925 Woolaroc Ranch Road, Bartlesville.
Information: https://www.woolaroc.org.
The historic ranch's grounds and buildings are covered with 750,000 lights, and Santa will be at the museum every night during the event. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission is $7 for adults and teens, $2 for children ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and younger and Woolaroc members. Admission is not sold in advance; visitors pay at the front gate, which closes at 8:30 p.m.
Ardmore Festival of Lights
When: Through Dec. 30.
Where: Ardmore Regional Park, 2704 N Rockford Road, Ardmore.
Information: https://www.chickasawcountry.com/events/ardmore-festival-lights.
One of the largest holiday light displays in southern Oklahoma, the 1.5-mile drive-thru show features more than 150 animated displays.
Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular
When: Dec. 1-25.
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-Thursdays, 6 to 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 6 to 11 p.m. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Light the City at the Holiday Lights Spectacular entrance on Century Boulevard. The ceremonial start will be followed by Walk the Lights from 6 to 9 p.m., when people can stroll through the displays.
Woodward's Crystal Christmas
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 305 Temple Houston Drive, 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 10 p.m. daily.
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, celebrating its 31st anniversary this year. It's the only Oklahoma attraction in the state to earn a nomination for Best Public Holiday Lights Display in the USA Today 10Best 2023 Readers’ Choice Travel Awards.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Additional treats available for additional charge 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, festivalgoers can ride the Santa Shuttle from downtown Chickasha — 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.
Bricktown Holiday Lights
When: Through Jan. 7.
Where: Downtown OKC's Bricktown entertainment district.
Information: https://downtownindecember.com/downtown-lights.
Bricktown shimmers during the holiday season, from the kaleidoscopic lights sparkling off the Bricktown Canal to the big bedecked tree outside the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Rhema Christmas Lights, Broken Arrow
When: Through Jan. 1.
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. Highlights include a 50-figure nativity scene, Noah’s ark and animals and a synchronized musical display. 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.
Kringle's Christmas Land, Jenks
When: Dec. 1-31.
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.
Automobile Alley Lights
When: Through Jan. 7.
Where: Broadway Avenue between NW 4 and 10.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/automobilealley.
The historic downtown OKC district really shines this time of year, with more than 600,000 kaleidoscopic LED lights curtaining the buildings along N Broadway and its side streets.
To go with the dazzling decor, Automobile Alley again is hosting its Lights on Broadway festivities from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Various shops and restaurants will feature buzzworthy window displays, pop-up activities, special promotions and giveaways, live music, balloon art, performances, photos with Santa Claus and more.
Elk City's Christmas in the Park
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: Ackley Park, W 3 St. and Pioneer Road, Elk City.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/visitelkcityoklahoma.
Millions of lights and hundreds of festive displays brighten the western Oklahoma park nightly. Admission is free.
Plus, 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. 16.
Philbrook Festival, Tulsa
When: Select nights through Dec. 30.
Where: Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S Rockford Road, Tulsa.
Information: https://philbrook.org.
A fundraising event for the museum, 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. 1-2, 8-9, 14-16, 20-23 and 28-30.
Advanced timed entry tickets are required. Tickets are $10 for members, free for members 17 and younger, $22 for adults and $8 for youths.
Holiday in the Park, Lawton
When: Nightly through Jan. 1.
Where: Elmer Thomas Park, 501 NW Ferris Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/holidayintheparklawtonok.
The park is adorned with colorful lights and 3-D displays that attendees can drive or walk through. Those who choose to walk through can traverse what's billed as the longest light tunnel in the state. Admission is free.
Activities like holiday movie screenings, a skating rink, miniature train, Ferris wheel, carousel, seasonal refreshments and more are making the attraction extra jolly.
Myriad & Bright at the Myriad Gardens
When: Through Jan. 5.
Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/MyriadGardens.
The grounds are all decked out with holiday lights and decorations, including a 25-foot-tall Christmas tree, and a variety of festive activities are on the Myriad Gardens calendar, from a Merry Pooch Parade to free ride days on Mo's Carousel.
The Myriad Gardens' Crystal Bridge Conservatory is festooned with hundreds of lights and poinsettias, including the downtown OKC landmark's signature poinsettia tree. Extended holiday hours for the Crystal Bridge are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23, with the last ticket sold at 7:30 p.m.
The Devon Ice Rink is open through Feb. 4 for its 12th season in the Myriad Gardens.
Christmas Light Show at The Station, Moore
When: 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1.
Where: The Station at Central Park, 700 S Broadway Ave., Moore.
Information: https://www.cityofmoore.com/upcoming-events/christmas-light-show-station.
Motorists are invited to park at the station, turn off their headlights, tune their radio to 89.7 FM and enjoy a 20-minute light show. The final show starts at 9:40 p.m. daily.
Chickasaw Cultural Center's Celebration of Lights, Sulphur
When: Through Dec. 31.
Where: 867 Cooper Memorial Road, Sulphur.
Information: https://www.chickasawculturalcenter.com/experience/2023/events/celebration-of-lights.
The Chickasaw Nation's museum boasts on its grounds 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. Admission is free.
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. More than 20,000 visitors drive through the display every year, plus carolers, train rides and appearances by Santa make select nights especially merry.
Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. daily.
Miranda Family Lights, Edmond
When: Through Dec. 25 (closed Dec. 6, 14 and 18).
Where: 19544 Talavera Lane, Edmond.
Information: www.facebook.com/mirandafamilylights.
The Miranda family — the Edmond clan featured in 2019 on "The Great Christmas Light Fight" — has again created a massive animated light and music show, which this year is raising money for the OKC Fraternal Order of Police Foundation. Hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Incredible Christmas light displays you can visit in Oklahoma
