Tulsa Christmas lights, festivals, shopping and parades in 2023

If you’re wondering where to find holiday cheer, look no further. Here’s our list of the area’s upcoming holiday events, light displays, festivals and markets. For holiday parties and art shows, watch Future Weekend Stories.

The Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa is back for its second year. Walk historic Route 66 under 800-foot canopies filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations in 10 Christmas themes. Christmas Waterfall was featured as one of the country’s “most spectacular main streets” by the “Today” show.

where: Dewey Street between Main Street and Elm Street

More than two million colorful lights decorate the buildings and grounds of Rhema Bible Church. See a nativity scene with 50 characters, a charming gingerbread family, a synchronized musical performance and much more. This event is free.

where: Rhema Bible Church, 1025 W. Kenosha St. In Broken Arrow

For more: rhemalights.org

Muskogee Castle offers a magical medieval vacation experience. Take a train ride through the village, go for an old-fashioned horseback ride or take a Christmas pony and camel ride (all for an additional fee and weather permitting). Visitors can shop for a holiday gift, grab a meal at Rudolph’s Café, or simply enjoy a stroll through the village.

where: 3400 Mount Fern Road, Muskogee

Hundreds of thousands of lights will begin glowing on Thanksgiving evening as the Utica Square Mall hosts its annual “Lights On” event. Saxophonist Grady Nichols will perform holiday music, and a photo booth will allow visitors to take some special family photos. Santa’s House will also be opened at the center during the event.

where: Utica Square, 21st Street at Utica

For more: uticasquare.com

The Bixby Historical Society presents the Festival of Trees at Santa’s Village. More than 120 trees will be lit up with music to create a magical Christmas light show. Guests can visit Santa’s workshop, stroll through North Pole Candyland, and shop at Mrs. Claus’ Sweet Shoppe.

where: 15 E. Needles Street, Bixby

For more: bixbyhistoricalsociety.com

Visitors can drive through a stunning display as Onur Heights Park is illuminated by 1.2 million sparkling lights, enhancing the natural beauty of the park’s gardens, waterfalls and ponds. Hayrides by reservation only. Admission is $10 per car. Monday and Tuesday nights are free. Gates open daily at 5:30pm and gates close at 10pm Monday to Thursday and 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

where: 1400 Honor Heights Drive, Muskogee

For more: facebook.com/GardenofLightsMuskogee

On select nights this holiday season, you can find fun for the whole family with music and thousands of lights at the Philbrook Museum of Art. Sip cocoa by the fire, see Santa Claus, take home a one-of-a-kind art project and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

where: Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S. Rockford Rd

The annual Winter Festival returns just in time for the holidays. Thousands visit each year to enjoy the magic of outdoor ice skating, horse-drawn carriage rides, a 44-foot Christmas tree, and other festivities.

where: Outside the BOK Center, West Third Street and South Denver Street

For more: tulsawinterfest.com

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 24 – December. 17

Located just outside Bartlesville, the Woolarock Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary is transformed into a magical winter wonderland where the famous farm is decorated with more than 750,000 lights. Guests can also enjoy wagon rides, birthday cookies, and hot cocoa at the inn. Once again this year, the main road leading to the campus will be reversed, allowing guests to enjoy the unique view that can only be seen at this time of year.

where: 1925 Woolarock Ranch Road, Bartlesville

Select dates from November 24 to December. 30

Hundreds of thousands of colorful lights will adorn the Tulsa Botanical Garden during the Holiday Botanical Garden presented by the Bank of Oklahoma.

Two newest gardens will be added to this year’s display: the Stanford Family Liberty Garden and the Bumgarner Family Foundation Lotus Pool, which opened in late July. Freedom Park will offer a photo opportunity on Santa’s sleigh, and Santa will visit on select nights.

Hear local artists play jazz every Sunday from 6-8pm inside the Garden’s Mabee Grange building: November 26, Annie Ellicott Duo; December 3, Anna Perry Jazz Trio; December 10, duet Cynthia Simmons; and December 17, Booker Gillespie Trio.

Advance tickets with timed admission are required and can be purchased online. Capacity is limited and walk-in admission cannot be guaranteed. See the full schedule and purchase tickets at tulsabotanic.org.

where: Tulsa Botanical Garden, 3900 Tulsa Botanic Drive

For more: tulsabotanic.org

The market is open from November 24 to 25; The tree farm is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the season

Christmas on Route 66 just got a little more magical this year with the first Molly & Sox Market on November 24-25, open daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The inaugural market will host eight local vendors and feature Oklahoma-grown Christmas trees and handcrafted wreaths, as well as family-friendly activities including a petting zoo, s’more roasting, barrel train rides through the trees, holiday candy and shopping.

Story times will be offered each day at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Family photos are highly encouraged, and plenty of Christmas cards and social media-worthy photo opportunities will be posted around the farm.

Molly’s Market and Socks may only be open two days, but the Christmas Tree Farm is open until 7pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday all season long. Weekdays available by appointment only. Please call Molly and Socks Christmas Tree Farm at 918-639-3816.

where: Molly & Sox Christmas Tree Farm, 31310 W. 191st St. South, Bristow.

For more: mollyandsocks.com

The inaugural Shine on Greenwood holiday lighting event will feature music and spoken word artists from 6pm to 8:30pm in the Historic Greenwood District. Musical artists Tony Mason and Val Harding will be joined by a band (Angelo Herling – keyboardist/MD, Gary Mason – bass guitar, Don Horner – lead guitar, Jackson Burial – drums), and singers (Majesty Pearson, Alex Geiger, Dominica Williams) . And special guest T-Rush.

The event will include a street lighting countdown on Greenwood Avenue, and free toys and giveaways for those needing holiday support.

where: Greenwood District, 105 N. Greenwood Street.

For more: Shineongreenwood.org

Hosted by the German American Association of Tulsa, this annual event features authentic German foods, imported German goods, and more than 20 unique vendors. Enjoy hot drinks, desserts, carols and community with a tree lighting ceremony on Thursday, November 30, then come back to shop at the market December 1-3.

where: Gast Events Center, 1429 Terrace Drive

This family-friendly festival and shopping event, back for its seventh year, features local artists, artisans, makers, food trucks and small businesses. On Friday, the event is for shopping only. On Saturday and Sunday, families can visit with Santa, see the petting zoo, go horseback riding, pony rides, watch air shows, face painting and more. Ticket can be purchased online.

where: 3913 E. 181st Street, Bixby

The Gathering Place invites the Tulsa community to Williams Lodge for free and festive indoor events for all ages throughout the month of December. From Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 24, guests can enjoy daily activities while immersed in the dreamy décor inside Williams Lodge. Free activities include live music, happy hours, winter workshops, crafts, board games, birding, gingerbread and more.

Additionally, guests can take free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the dazzling Christmas tree. In addition to these seasonal offerings, the park will host winter versions of recurring events such as Dog Play Wednesday, the Cabinet of Wonder educational collection, the GROW mobile library and the Discovery Station.

The gathering place will offer events celebrating Hanukkah on Thursday, December 14 from 4pm to 6pm and Kwanzaa on Wednesday, December 27 from noon to 2pm.

Additionally, the Gathering Place will introduce new park hours, effective Monday, November 27. Park winter hours:

● Williams Lodge and ONEOK Boathouse: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m

● Chapman Adventure Playground: 7 a.m. to dusk

● Sports fields, skate park and pump track: 7am to 10pm

● Redbud Café: 9am to 6pm

where: 30th Street and Riverside Drive

For more: groupplace.org

Guthrie Green in downtown Tulsa will be illuminated with thousands of colorful Christmas lights during Glow on the Green, hosted by News on 6 Chief Meteorologist Travis Mayer. The event will also include a visit from Santa Claus, as well as live music, food, hot drinks and vendors.

where: 111 AH. The path to reconciliation

For more: Guthriegreen.com

More than 25 skilled artisan vendors will make items to share. A portion of the proceeds go back to the Tulsa Garden Center and Woodward Park Education Center. Doors are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m

where: Tulsa Garden Center, 2435 S. Peoria Street.

For more: tulsagardencenter.org

Welltown Brewing will host its first indoor Sip & Shop Christmas Market on December 2. This event is family friendly and admission is free. Enjoy sipping and shopping from over 20 local vendors.

where: Welltown Brewing, 114 W. Archer St

For more: facebook.com/welltownbrewing

Head to Rose District Plaza to catch Broken Arrow’s annual Christmas parade. This parade fills Main Street with festive floats, bands, and, most importantly, Santa Claus.

where: 418 S Main Street – Broken Arrow

For more: brokenarrowok.gov

Watch floats, balloons, bands and Santa Claus drive by, bringing Christmas cheer to the streets of downtown Tulsa in the 97th Tulsa Christmas Parade. Before the show will be the Tulsa Parks Eggnog Pajama Jog. This fun, one-mile event is the perfect family-friendly event. Wear your favorite holiday pajamas for a walk, jog or run. Register to run on the City of Tulsa website.

For more: tulsachristmasparade.org

The Rotary Club of Bixby presents the town’s 20th annual Christmas parade. This year’s theme is “Christmas in Toyland”.

For more: bixbychamber.com

The Arts and Crafts Festival returns to New Orleans Square. Enjoy an intimate celebration of the most magical season ever. With a cheerful lineup of vendors offering perfect gifts for your loved ones, fun activities for kids, hot cocoa and Santa Claus himself, this event promises pure holiday fun.

where: New Orleans Square, 3800 S. 161st East Ave., Broken Arrow

For more: facebook.com/NewOrleansSquareBrokenArrow

The BA Ice Rink returns to the Rose District in downtown Broken Arrow. Enjoy outdoor ice skating on 4,200 square feet of ice.

where: 418 S Main Street – Broken Arrow