OKC Christmas Activity List

While the holidays are certainly a busy time of year for families, they are also full of making fun memories together as a family. And there is no shortage of fun winter activities to do in our great city! Downtown in December hosts MANY of the activities that we enjoy, some I have listed below, but for the full list check out their website. Here are some of our family’s favorites local winter events…

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Amazing Christmas decorations at Devon Energy Tower

Devon’s Saturday with Santa. You could go to the Devon Tower every Saturday in December and have a different fun experience! They have four different themes each week: Gingerbread Village, Whoville, The North Pole, and The Polar Express.  Besides the beautiful decorations displayed throughout the building to take photos with, you can see Santa, make a craft, send your letter to the North Pole, even meet real reindeer…all for free! They even have a center where kids can wrap care packages to send to some of our troops over seas. Be sure to check their website to find out which activities will be on which dates.

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Visiting Mrs. Claus at Devon

The Bricktown Water Taxi is also free on certain dates during the month of December. Get there early to beat the crowds and enjoy the beautiful light display on the Bricktown canal while you gently float along.  Then grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants, go talk to Santa Claus at Bass Pro (or find him on his Segway), Snowtube in the ballpark, ice skate at the gardens, or grab some dessert at Pinkitzel!

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Christmas Lights at Chesapeake

Viewing Christmas lights can be overwhelming at times because there are so many awesome places to choose from. We have enjoyed driving around neighborhoods such as Nichols Hills, Chesapeake’s campus, and the Markwell Street neighborhood that is set to Christmas carols on your radio dial. You can also venture out to Yukon and Midwest City to drive through their display or walk through the festival of the lights in Chickasha. That lighted bridge is a must for any Okie!

There is usually (but not definitely) a Groupon deal for a carriage ride in Bricktown around this time of year and we pile as many friends as we can to go on this delightful tour of downtown. The more people you have the warmer it is! Plus ours provided a heated blanket last time too so that helped. My daughter really loved it and asks every time we see a carriage downtown when we can do again so it’s definitely a special holiday memory for her.

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Toasty warm with friends on a carriage ride

What would the holidays be without Christmas movies?! Whether you enjoy them from the comfort of your own home, at grandma’s house in front of the fire, or venture out to the big screen, most people enjoy a few festive movies during this time. We always enjoy watching White Christmas at home one night, but there is also the option on Mondays in December to see a different free holiday movie every Monday at Harkins in Bricktown. Check out their schedule to see what weeks you will be viewing. A Christmas Story, Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, and White Christmas are the chosen ones for this year. Call early to get tickets and show up early to get a seat!

If you are still needing to do some Christmas shopping and are looking for something a little unique check out the Pop-up shops in Midtown or the Winter Shops at the Myriad Gardens. A variety of local stores will be featured at each and will be changing throughout the season so be sure to check it out and go back for more!

We have been to the Boathouse District for summer events such as Dragon Boat races and Fourth of July celebration, but now they have winter events as well! Santa’s Adventure boasts a Santa Zip Line, Candy Cane Rock Wall, North Pole Climb, Rudolph Launch, Snow Bounce and Holiday Lights. Even on a cold day those physical activities would keep you warm!

There are many places listed where you can see Santa, but if you want a more lengthy and intimate experience then RSVP for a breakfast date with him at the Orr Family Farm. He’ll be there three different Saturdays in December. If you’d rather visit Santa in motion then take a train ride with him at the Railway Museum on December 21. Reservations for both of these go quickly so call soon!

If you are craving some artistic expression in your holiday season there is always The Nutcracker ballet, The OKC Philharmonic, the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre production of Junie B. Jones or their Winter Break Camps, the classic Christmas Carol at the Lyric Theatre, or experience a Territorial Christmas at the Harn Homestead. So many options! And I know I’m only listing a few of the vast array to choose from!

What are some of your favorite holiday activities to do as a family in the metro?

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Katie
Katie left her home state of Tennessee to come pursue an interior design degree in Oklahoma fourteen years ago. She met a handsome young fella from Oregon while in school, and they decided to marry and settle down in OKC. A dog and two daughters soon followed. She has been a textile designer, showroom merchandiser, custom furniture draftsman and children’s minister, but her most challenging and favorite role has definitely been that of a mother. You can read about the adventures she shares with her family at Strawberry Ruckus. Katie enjoys reading, being creative, exploring old houses, eating peanut butter, zumba and watching complete television series all at once on Netflix.

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