‘Tis the Season
The holiday spirit transcends the boundaries of geography, a palpable feeling that courses through all of us during the winter months. Follow the magic to find shimmering light displays and classic holiday stories come to life. Ice skate in a dazzling downtown park. Wander through local outdoor markets in search of the perfect gift. Adventure Road is brimming with opportunities for lasting Christmas memories – all you have to do is grab them.
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS AT THE ARTESIAN
1001 W 1st St • Sulphur
Escape to The Artesian now through December 18 to explore dazzling decorations, enjoy moments with Santa and Mrs. Claus, savor complimentary treats like cookies and warm apple cider, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through downtown Sulphur. Christmas doesn’t get cozier!
NEARBY: Bromide Mountain Co., Chickasaw National Recreation Area
HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS
399 NW 10th St • Oklahoma City
The festive outdoor market returns to bustling Midtown to feature dozens of rotating Oklahoma-owned shops, an urban Christmas tree lot, live music, visits from Santa, seasonal snacks and a beer truck. See it for yourself each weekend through December 18.
NEARBY: Tamashii Ramen House, McNellie’s OKC, Elemental Coffee
WINTER GLOW
800 RIVERSPORT Dr • Oklahoma City
Winter Glow at RIVERSPORT is your opportunity to ice skate and curl on new synthetic ice surfaces and try five covered climbing experiences – a cavern wall, leap of faith, adventure climb, speed wall and simulated ice climbing – all wrapped up in a holiday theme through December 18.
NEARBY: Devon Boathouse, Oklahoma River
OKC BALLET’S “THE NUTCRACKER”
201 N Walker Ave • Oklahoma City
Don’t miss your chance to experience the holiday magic of “The Nutcracker,” December 10-18! OKC Ballet teams up with the OKC Philharmonic and Canterbury Voices for a production more vibrant than ever with updated choreography and the return of beloved characters.
NEARBY: Bar Arbolada, Patrono, The Jones Assembly
DEVON ICE RINK
301 W Reno Ave • Oklahoma City
As one of Downtown in December’s premier attractions, the 5,500-square-foot Devon Ice Rink brings twinkling lights and seasonal indulgences to Downtown’s Myriad Botanical Gardens. Enjoy it daily through the end of January!
NEARBY: FLINT, The Manhattan OKC, Oklahoma City Museum of Art
LYRIC THEATRE’S “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
1721 N Lincoln Blvd • Oklahoma City
A beloved holiday tradition, Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” returns to historic Harn Homestead for an immersive, outdoor production through December 23. Come experience the magical story’s twists and turns, and watch unforgettable characters unfold!
NEARBY: Faculty House, Oklahoma State Capitol, Oklahoma History Center
RED EARTH TREEFEST
100 N Broadway Ave • Oklahoma City
Located in the lobby of Downtown’s BancFirst tower, Red Earth Treefest features trees decorated with handmade ornaments representing Oklahoma’s diverse Native nations and tribes. See it on display through December 30, and be sure to visit the adjoining gift shop for Native artworks.
NEARBY: Bourbon St. Café, Harkins Theatre, OKC Underground
LIGHTS ON BROADWAY
N Broadway Ave • Oklahoma City
Even if you miss the festivities of the 7th annual Lights on Broadway event, be sure to take a drive down Broadway Ave. before the end of the year. Historic Automobile Alley is lit up with more than 230,000 colorful LED lights offering the perfect backdrop for a holiday night on the town.
NEARBY: Factory Obscura, Red PrimeSteak, Black Walnut
WINTERFEST & SNOW TUBING
2 South Mickey Mantle Dr • Oklahoma City
Riding down the gigantic snow tubing slope is a thrill you won’t want to miss this season. From snow tubing to holiday movies on the video board, plus sparkling lights and treats, WinterFest at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be a festive highlight for the entire family.
NEARBY: Omni OKC, The Melting Pot, Social Capitol
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
867 Cooper Memorial Dr • Sulphur
Pack a hot beverage and holiday treats and hit the road to the Chickasaw Cultural Center, where festive drive-through light displays are illuminated each night through the end of the year. Visitors are invited to cruise down the specified route, and admission is free!
NEARBY: The Artesian, Aaholiitobli’ Honor Garden, Veterans Lake
CAROLING CRUISES ON THE BRICKTOWN CANAL
429 E California Ave • Oklahoma City
Cozy up on a magical, 45-minute cruise down the Bricktown Canal as you sing festive carols with talented local musical artists. ArtAfloatOKC presents Caroling Cruises, available Thursday and Friday evenings through December 23. The perfect way to tour this sparkling district!
NEARBY: Bricktown Comedy Club, Brickopolis Entertainment
THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE
43400 NE Grand Blvd • Oklahoma City
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers of The Polar Express™ will relive the story’s magic as they are whisked away for a festive one-hour trip to the North Pole. On board, dancing chefs share hot chocolate and treats. Fun for all ages through December 27!
NEARBY: The Zoo Amphitheatre, Lincoln Park Golf Course, Adventure District
Joy to the World
Hit the holiday road and spread some cheer along the way.
Holiday Destinations
Enjoy this four-story, 81-room boutique hotel that blends all the modern amenities with the charm and character of the original Artesian, a popular tourism destination from 1906 until 1962, when it burned to the ground. Rebuilt in 2013, the new and improved Artesian offers a full-service spa, an indoor/outdoor pool and bath house, a casino and several unique shops.
Chosen CNN’s top travel destination for Oklahoma in 2014, the Chickasaw Cultural Center is one of the largest, most comprehensive tribal cultural centers in the United States. Come celebrate, embrace and share the heritage that binds the Chickasaw Nation together.
Stay and play all day with RIVERSPORT Rapids & Adventures on the Oklahoma River. This one-stop passport to adventure features a 700-foot zip line across the water, several high-speed spiral slides, a six-story adventure course, a state-of-the-art whitewater rapids facility and more.
If it's entertainment you're looking for, then there's no better place than Bricktown. This former warehouse district now features the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, a mile-long canal with water taxis and dozens of restaurants, clubs and venues.
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is the perfect place to remember the joy of falling in love with baseball for the first time. The ballpark, which opened in 1998, is home to the Oklahoma City Dodgers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Myriad Botanical Gardens act as a lush, landscaped oasis in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. The recently remodeled gardens’ 17 acres draw everyone from concert goers to families to those just looking to enjoy the natural environment.
September through May is Philharmonic season on Adventure Road! The OKC Philharmonic presents a series of eight Classics concerts and six pairs of Pops concerts each season for orchestral fans from all over to enjoy. Holiday performances of “The Christmas Show!”, the July 3rd Independence Day concert in Oklahoma City, the July 4th concert in Yukon, OK, and the annual Labor Day concert presented at the Oklahoma City Community College have become family traditions for thousands in Central Oklahoma and beyond.
Constructed in 1937 in an art deco style, the Civic Center Music Hall is now Oklahoma City's premier performing arts facility. The building features three theatres, a grand reception hall and multiple suites. Whether you're interested in opera, comedy, the symphony, musical theater or ballet, the Civic Center has a show for you.
Downtown Oklahoma City continues to thrive and evolve. This walkable urban area includes everything from museums, parks, shops and restaurants to sports, festivals and water adventures. Explore the uniqueness of each of its seven districts.
Created with the mission to promote the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through education, a premier festival, a museum and fine art markets, Red Earth has become one of the most respected organizations of its kind in the U.S. Visitors are welcome to explore diverse galleries and exhibitions weekdays with free admission.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Neighborhoods, Automobile Alley, once known for its abundance of car dealerships, is now an upscale, urban district featuring one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shops and more.
Located just north of downtown Oklahoma City, Midtown is home to a diverse collection of restaurants, residences, businesses and more. It’s one of the coolest places in the city to live, work and play, with new offerings popping up often.
Established in 1962, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is now a nationally recognized theatre company, putting on countless Broadway-caliber shows each year. Lyric also provides community arts outreach and hosts an artistic academy to nurture young talent. If you're interested in the performance arts, then you've got to see one of Lyric Theatre's high-quality shows the next time you're in Oklahoma City.
Located just minutes from I-35, the Oklahoma Railway Museum is a fun, outdoor attraction for locomotive lovers of all ages. Featuring freight cars, passenger cars, a real steam engine and a variety of railroad equipment and memorabilia, there's something for everyone at this free museum.
The Oklahoma City Ballet's roots lie in 1963, when Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov founded the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet company. Today, the Oklahoma City Ballet's repertory includes both the classics and numerous works by 20th century masters. If you're in town during December, check out the Ballet's impressive annual production of a classic, "The Nutcracker."
