Christmas in Tulsa, Oklahoma is such a special experience! There’s something about how Tulsa comes alive during the holiday season that feels truly magical. From fabulous light displays to festive events, there’s plenty of fun to be had. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Christmas in Tulsa this year, this list is for you!
As a long-time resident of the Tulsa area, I can confidently say that Tulsa knows how to do Christmas lights right. I’ve been known to take my family on a tour of the best spots around town. Trust me, when it comes to Christmas in Tulsa, I’m your go-to person for recommendations.
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Best Christmas Lights in Tulsa
One of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit is by viewing the spectacular light displays around Tulsa.
Tulsa Botanic Garden of Lights
The Tulsa Botanic Garden of Lights is a favorite event during the holiday season. With over a million lights on display, the garden is transformed into a magical winter wonderland.
In addition to the spectacular lights, the garden features festive decorations, Christmas music, and plenty of hot chocolate and other refreshments. Thursday nights are filled with caroling and pop-up crafts. St. Nick himself makes an appearance on Fridays and Saturdays.
The event is available on select nights through December. Advance purchase of timed-entry tickets is highly recommended. To check the dates and purchase tickets, visit the Tulsa Botanic Garden website.
Utica Square
If you’re looking for a charming and festive way to get into the holiday spirit and do a little Christmas shopping, add Tulsa’s Utica Square to your list.
The square comes alive during Lights On, a holiday celebration featuring light displays and plenty of opportunities for family photos. Join hundreds of others from around Tulsa to celebrate the 50-year tradition on Thanksgiving at 6:30 PM. There is live music and a guest appearance from Santa Claus.
Even if you can’t make it to the Lights On event, Utica Square is worth visiting during the holiday season. There are plenty of shopping opportunities around the square, but Glacier Chocolate goes all out at Christmas time with decorations. Stop in for a coffee or hot chocolate and pick out a few sweet treats to take home.
Make sure to stop into Santa’s House to meet the big guy and take some photos. Visits are free, but it is $10 to take photos.
Glow on the Green
Every year, Guthrie Green in downtown Tulsa comes alive with colorful lights! You can catch the beautiful display nightly from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Unwrap some holiday cheer at the free annual event, Glow on the Green. The December 5th event includes a holiday market with local arts and craft vendors, live music, free photos with Santa, an inflatable obstacle course, and a lighting countdown with Travis Meyer.
Another event that happens at Guthrie Green is the JollyTown Experience from December 13-22. It is a free family-friendly holiday event. Besides the Christmas lights, you can enjoy meeting Santa, seeing live reindeer, tackling an obstacle course, and taking plenty of fun photos!
Philbrook Festival
The Philbrook Festival at the Philbrook Museum is one of Tulsa’s most beloved annual events. The festival features museum access, beautiful light displays, food and drinks, pictures with Santa, and a variety of other activities.
The festival will take place on select nights from throughout December. Timed entry tickets are required and must be purchased in advance. Visit the Philbrook website for dates and ticket purchases.
Jolly Lane Lights
Experience the Jolly Lane Lights drive-thru display! At over a mile long, it’s the longest drive-thru lights show in Tulsa.
Admission is $30 per car Monday-Thursday and $35 Friday-Sunday. It is located at the Admiral Twin Drive In Theater. It is open from 5:30PM – 9:30PM on weekdays and stays open until 10:30PM on the weekends. The 2025 season is from November 21-January 1.
Magical Lights Adventure
The Magical Lights Adventure is a Christmas light drive-thru attraction that includes a 300-foot tunnel and 90,000 lights!
Admission is $30 per car during weekdays and $35 per car on the weekends. It is located at the Tulsa Raceway. They are open nightly from 5:30PM – 10:30PM.
What is There to Do in Tulsa for Christmas?
If you’re looking for festive fun in Tulsa this year, you’re in luck! There are plenty of great events happening throughout the city. Here are some of the most popular events in Tulsa in December.
The Nutcracker at Tulsa PAC
The Nutcracker is a classic story that has been delighting audiences for generations. The Tulsa Ballet is continuing the tradition this year by bringing the magic of The Nutcracker to life with its own production of the show. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Nutcracker features elaborate sets, colorful costumes, and wonderful choreography.
There are numerous performances throughout December to choose from. Check the Tulsa Ballet’s website for dates and availability.
Roosevelt’s Gastropub
If you’re looking for a festive place to eat out during Christmas time, Roosevelt’s Gastropub in Tulsa is the best. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal surrounded by festive decorations.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily as well as brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Welltown Brewing Igloos
For a special holiday date night or a get-together with friends, rent a rooftop igloo at Welltown Brewing. Admire the views of downtown and cozy up by the fireplace. You can even bring some board games to have an epic game night with friends.
Leave the kids at home for this one. The igloos can accommodate up to 8 adults and costs $65. The cabin can accommodate 12 adults and costs $150.
Igloos are available from November 1 through March 1, 2026. Book in advance. Required 2-hour reservations are available online.
Drinks and food are available to purchase. Order a nugcuterie that includes chicken nuggets and fries or a more traditional charcuterie with meats, cheeses, and fruits. Wash it down with a beer, cider, mulled wine, champagne, or hot chocolate. You can also bring your own food but no outside drinks are allowed.
Winterfest
Tulsa comes alive with Christmas festivities and one of the highlights of the season is Arvest Winterfest. This event takes place in Downtown Tulsa next to the BOK Center.
Ice skating is the most popular activity at Tulsa’s Winterfest. There are a variety of other attractions available throughout the season. Visit the holiday market and ride the Winterfest Express on Saturdays. See Santa on Sundays and during the special breakfast with Santa event.
The 2025 season will last from November 28, 2025 through January 4, 2026.
Tulsa Christmas Parade
The Tulsa Christmas Parade is a beloved tradition in the city. The parade has been taking place for almost 100 years and features floats, bands, balloons, and Santa Claus himself.
It’s a great event to attend with family and friends. The parade travels through downtown Tulsa and lasts a couple of hours. This year’s parade will be held on December 13th at 11:00 AM.
Winter Wonderland at Gathering Place
With Christmas right around the corner, what could be more perfect than cozying up in the Williams Lodge at the Gathering Place? The lodge is beautifully decorated with a special Christmas tree displayed. Check their event Calendar for when Santa will be available for photos.
Nutcracker Festival
Nutcracker Festival is a new holiday tradition in Tulsa! Enjoy festive activities, yummy treats, live performances, an iceless skating rink, an indoor train, a towering 30-foot Christmas tree, a top-notch holiday market, appearances by Santa Claus and live reindeer, snow bowling, magic shows, and arts and crafts.
The 2025 dates are December 5th from 12:00 PM-9:00 PM & December 6th from 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. It is located at Expo Square in Tulsa. Admission is $14 for adults and $12 for kids. Some of the activities are an additional fee.
Breakfast with Santa at the Tulsa Zoo
For a special holiday event for the kids, take them to the Tulsa Zoo‘s Breakfast with Santa. This includes a breakfast buffet, arts and crafts, photo ops with Santa, a Polar Express train ride, storytime, and an animal chat.
For 2025, Breakfast with Santa will be on December 13. Tickets must be purchased in advance and will likely sell out.
Best Christmas Lights Near Tulsa
If you’re up for a short drive outside of Tulsa, there are even more beautiful Christmas lights in Oklahoma to enjoy!
Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza (Broken Arrow)
The Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza in Broken Arrow is definitely worth checking out! This Tulsa area tradition features millions of lights spread out across the 110-acre property. It’s one of the most popular holiday attractions in the city.
For the best views, park your car and walk through the displays. It is possible to see many of the lights by driving through the parking lots if getting out of the car isn’t an option for your family.
Concessions are available. For a special experience, take a carriage ride. These are located on the northeast side of Rhema, away from the main light displays. It is first come first served.
The Rhema lights begin on November 26, 2025 at 6 pm. They continue nightly until January 1, 2026 from 5:30 PM to 11:30 PM. And, it’s absolutely free!
Route 66 Christmas Chute (Sapulpa) – CLOSED FOR 2025
2025 Update: Sapulpa will not be doing their popular Christmas Chute this year!
Sapulpa has gone all out again this year with the Route 66 Christmas Chute. This elaborate attraction includes 800-foot-long canopies featuring 10 different Christmas themes.
Special events are happening throughout November and December. Make sure to spend some time checking out the local shops while you are here.
In addition to the Christmas light displays, there are igloos to rent, food trucks, and pop-up shops in the Christmas Village. If you are visiting with kids, make sure to pick up a scavenger hunt to search for objects in each themed area.
It is located on Dewey Avenue, a part of historic Route 66. It is completely free.
Kringles Christmas Land (Jenks)
Be sure to head out to Jenks to see the champion of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. Starting December 1st, this one-of-a-kind light display will be available for viewing from 6 PM to 10 PM.
This display is free and you can either drive by or walk up to enjoy the show. It will be viewable until December 31st. The address is 12520 S Date Pl, Jenks, OK 74037.
Christmas at the Ranch (Bixby)
Christmas at the Ranch at 181 Ranch in Bixby offers a unique holiday shopping experience.
Shop till you drop on Friday from the many vendors and food trucks. Saturday and Sunday shopping adds an opportunity to meet Santa, visit the petting zoo, ride a pony, face painting, and aerial performances.
A weekend pass costs $10. A Sunday-only ticket is $5. You can purchase tickets in advance or pay at the gate.
This is a one-weekend event happening from December 5-7, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is located at 3913 E 181st Street South Bixby, OK.
Honor Heights Park and The Castle of Muskogee
Muskogee, less than an hour from Tulsa, is one of the best Christmas towns in Oklahoma. There are two main holiday attractions in Muskogee: Honor Heights Park and The Castle of Muskogee.
The Garden of Lights at Honor Heights Park in Muskogee is a beautiful drive-through light display with over 1.2 million lights. It will be open daily at 5:30 PM from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Gates close at 10:00 PM on weekdays and 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission is $10 per vehicle. Monday and Tuesday nights are free.
The Castle of Muskogee hosts an annual Castle Christmas event. Do some shopping in the decorated castle, take a train ride or hay ride, and drive through the grounds to view over 2,000 holiday displays including your favorite Christmas characters.
Castle Christmas is open Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM. There are additional activities available for a fee, but the drive-through light display is free.
Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights (Bartlesville)
Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve returns this year with its Wonderland of Lights event. This holiday tradition will see the grounds and buildings covered in over 750,000 lights, creating a stunning winter wonderland! The wonderful museum will also be open for you to look through.
The event starts on November 28, 2025. It will continue every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through December 21st. Hours are 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Santa will make appearances at the museum on Fridays and Sundays. Admission is not sold in advance.
While you are in Bartlesville, check out the drive-through light display at Johnstone Park. It is open from November 20 to December 30 nightly from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. It is free but donations are appreciated.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop (Broken Arrow)
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Broken Arrow has become a yearly tradition for families to take the kids to get free pictures with Santa and enjoy the Christmas activities. You can also get some of your holiday shopping done while you are here.
Santa’s Wonderland is open from November 2nd to December 24th this year. Advance reservations are recommended due to this popular event filling up fast. You can see available dates and times and make reservations on the Bass Pro Shops website.
Final Thoughts: Tulsa in December
Christmas is all about family, friends, and fun! Tulsa is a beautiful city to visit in December, with festive light displays and events that will make everyone in the family happy. There’s something for everyone in Tulsa during the holiday season!
