1. Bricktown Tree Lighting Festival
Downtown in December officially kicks off every year on the day after Thanksgiving with this momentous occasion, set for 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Third Base Plaza at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Drive.
Not only will Mayor Mick Cornett and Santa Claus set the lights on the monumental tree aglow, but St. Nick also will be posing for photos, cast members from Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” will be performing, and local duo Adam and Kizzie will be making merry music. Food trucks, face painting and giveaways also will be part of the fun. spinning tunes on Friday nights in December help make the rink an even more festive place to be.
“We can have a lot of events going on, but people just want to skate,” said Leslie Spears, director of public relations and marketing for the Myriad Botanical Gardens, where the rink is located.
“We have a lot of families that skate. We have a great birthday party package we can do this year where we have a private area for them. We have proposals that happen … and we’ve had them every season; you know, you gotta give a guy credit for being able to get down on his knee with ice skates on. I think it’s just exciting to be in such a beautiful atmosphere.”
3. Santa Fe Station Open House
Check out the 80-year old home of Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer, which was recently restored to its former glory, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at 100S E.K. Gaylord Blvd. Characters from the 1930s will greet visitors as they arrive to take tours, and youngsters will get free hot chocolate, a free train whistle and a free train safety coloring book, while supplies last.
4. A Dog Day in December
A Christmas party for the pups featuring doggy photos with Santa, a cash bar, food trucks and a silent auction is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Midtown Mutts Dog Park, 407 W Park Place. In its third year, the popular event will raise funds for the Midtown Association. “So, all the funds will go to beautification and landscaping for the district, and events and promotion. So everything we raise will be funneled right back into the district, which is super cool. This one is going to be such a cute event,” Cole said.
5. SandRidge Santa Run
Folks who prefer to run like Rudolph through the holidays should check out the merriment of this 5K race, one-mile Fun Run and free Kids’ Dash where festive garb is highly encouraged. “People go all out with their costumes. We do a costume contest, and this one is really family friendly,” Cole said.
Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at SandRidge Energy, 123 Robert S. Kerr Ave., where a trail mix bar, free coffee, a mad scientist show and more will keep the participants’ cups of cheer full.
6. Holiday Pop-Up Shops at Midtown
Starting Black Friday, shopping local gets simple and stylish at the set of geodesic domes at NW 10 and Hudson, where 35 Oklahoma-owned shopswill rotate out every Thursday through Sunday through Dec. 23. Shoppers can even pick up their Christmas tree there at theBishop John Carroll School tree lot. For more information, go to www.okcpopups.com.
7. Deluxe Winter Market
Dozens of handcrafted items created by Oklahoma artists and makers will be for sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdayat Leadership Square, 211 N Robinson.
Children younger than 14 can shop for gifts with the help of a volunteer in the Elf Market, a special area inspired by the Young at Art Mart at the spring Festival of the Arts.
For more information, go to www.deluxeok.net.
8. Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides
Starting this weekend, take a free pleasure cruise along the decked out Bricktown Canal from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 31.
Catch the boat at the main Water Taxi dock on canal level, below the entrance to Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse and Brickopolis.
9. Bricktown Holiday Parklet
The temporary pop-up park on Mickey Mantle Drive on the east side of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark is a new Downtown in December attraction, and it will come adorned in snazzy lights and garland.
“If people are spending a day in Bricktown and they’re just wanting to chill out for a minute, maybe they’re about to go see a movie or they have a dinner reservation and they’re walking around, it’s just a place for them to gather,” Cole said.
10. LifeShare Winterfest and Snow Tubing
The name may have changed this year, but snow tubing remains a favorite Downtown in December attraction. Starting Friday through Jan. 1, the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring two manmade snow slopes ready for riding.
11. Little Willie’s Triple Dog Dare
Holiday calories don’t stand a chance at this all-ages stair climbing event set for 8 a.m. Dec. 2 at Leadership Square, 211 N Robinson Ave.
12. Devon’s Saturdays with Santa
Children can visit Santa and other holiday characters, make crafts, ride a train, listen to live music and more at one of the most popular Downtown in December offerings, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, 9, and 16 at the Devon Energy Center, 333 W Sheridan Ave.
Visits with Santa are first come, first served, and guests should register on-site upon arrival and bring their own camera to take photos. The festivities are free, and across the street, the Myriad Gardens will offer free admission to the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.