Fun Family Activities to Do During Christmas

02 December 2024

Posted in

Health Across Oklahoma

Christmas time in Oklahoma City can be a magical experience when done right, as the city has many traditions and events that provide festive options for residents and visitors alike. Use this blog as a guide to schedule family-friendly events this holiday season.

Can’t-miss light displays

Key points: Hop in your car and head to Yukon or Chickasha for some of the biggest light displays in the state. Both destinations offer the ability to walk or drive through in a car. In OKC, the zoo, Automobile Alley and Scissortail Park also offer vibrant light displays.

Christmas in the Park: This display transforms three interconnected parks – City Park, Chisholm Trail Park and Freedom Trail Park – into a dazzling winter wonderland. Running from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, this free light show features over 500 unique light displays and 5 million lights.

Visitors can enjoy a drive-through experience or stroll through the illuminated paths, with special areas for photo opportunities and character meet-and-greets.
The Santa Express Train offers enchanting rides through the lights for a small fee, adding to the festive atmosphere.
This event is an Oklahoma tradition, attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Festival of Light: This annual event at Shannon Springs Park features over 3.5 million lights, including animated displays and a computer-animated light show synchronized to holiday music.

Festival of Light runs Nov. 22 to Dec. 31 and is free to everyone, although some activities require a small fee.
The centerpiece is a towering 172-foot Christmas tree visible from miles away.
Visitors can enjoy a drive-through experience or explore on foot, with activities like horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating and visits with Santa Claus.
The festival also includes a Ferris wheel, carousel and a food truck park offering festive treats.

OKC Zoo Safari Lights: This light display enables you to drive or walk through the zoo and see wildlife-themed light sculptures and animated displays.

Running from Nov. 9 to Jan. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., the one-mile path has musical light shows, interactive exhibits and opportunities for photos.

Lights on Broadway: This event in OKC’s historic Automobile Alley takes place on three Saturdays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, from 3 to 7 p.m.

The district showcases more than 600,000 colorful LED lights adorning the local businesses.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including live music, balloon art and performances.
Retail shops and restaurants participate with window displays, pop-up activities, special promotions and giveaways.
The event also features opportunities for photos with Santa Claus.

’Tis the Season at Scissortail Park: The setup at OKC’s Scissortail Park features a holiday light display that transforms the park into a winter wonderland.

From Nov. 28 through Dec. 29, stroll around the park and enjoy the lights and other holiday activities such as live music and a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Santa visits Dec. 7, 14 and 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the North Trellis Garden.
The park's Union Station is also illuminated nightly.

Grab your skates and hit the ice

At a glance: There are three main attractions in the OKC metro for ice skating with rinks in downtown Oklahoma City, Edmond and Norman.

Devon Ice Rink: This popular rink offers a 5,000-square-foot ice surface and is part of the Downtown in December events.

Ice skating is open to the public and is available seven days a week starting Nov. 8.

Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink: If you can’t make it downtown, this ice skating rink at Mitch Park in Edmond also offers skating.

The rink is open Nov. 8 through Jan. 20.

Crest on Ice: For people in south OKC, Norman has an outdoor ice skating rink at Crest Foods on 2550 Mt. Williams Dr.

The 4,100-square-foot rink is open Nov. 9 through Jan. 6.

Shows to see

What to know: For those interested in indoor activities, "A Christmas Carol" and "The Nutcracker” offer the unique opportunity for family bonding in a festive atmosphere.

Lyric Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" at the Plaza Theater runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 27 and brings to life Charles Dickens' timeless tale of redemption.

With eye-catching sets, sparkling costumes and dual casts – Holly and Ivy – performing on different dates, this production captures the essence of holiday joy.
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformative journey with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future provides a memorable experience for audiences of all ages.

Oklahoma City Ballet's "The Nutcracker" runs from Dec. 14 to Dec. 23 at the Civic Center Music Hall.

This year's production features all-new sets, costumes and choreography.
The performance offers a fresh take on the classic story and is accompanied by the OKCPHIL and Canterbury Voices.

Other activities to prioritize

The takeaways: Start off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony in Bricktown, schedule a 5K holiday run with the family or travel to Guthrie for a Victorian-era themed view of Christmas.

A Territorial Christmas Celebration in Guthrie: This event focuses on the historical aspect of holiday cheer.

Running from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14, there are many activities, including a lighted Christmas parade featuring decorated floats and the announcement of the new Territorial Governor.
The Victorian Walk Evenings transport attendees back to the early 1900s with carolers in period dress and re-enactors in decorated store windows.
They also host the Distinctive Homes Tour, showcasing some of Guthrie’s most notable homes and historic buildings.