Festive favorites
Downtown in December offers an array of activities
From a traditional Indian dance performance and Native American Christmas trees to a holiday hiphop showcase and a ribbon-cutting forthelong-awaited streetcar, Downtown in December will feature an array of festivities this yuletide season.
In its 17th year, Downtown in December includes more than 30 holiday events and attractions, coordinated and produced in part by the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership, in collaboration with other organizations. The series officially launches from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday with the Bricktown Tree Lighting Festival, where Mayor David Holt and Santa Claus will set the monumental tree outside the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark aglow.
“I just really wanted this event … to reflect the whole community, just as I’ve talked about in numerous other contexts as mayor. So, I got together with Downtown OKC several months ago and suggested some ideas,” Holt said. “We always have great crowds, but I think we could take it to another level this year.”
Started in 2002, the tree lighting traditionally includes tasty treats, visits with St. Nick and live music. This year, the performances have
been expanded to include a holiday hip-hop medley by OKC rapper Jabee, seasonal songs by singersongwriters Maggie McClure and Shane Henry of the Imaginaries and classic carols by the cast of Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.”
The local Sainrithya Dance Academy will perform two dances, including the intricate Indian Kalakshetra dance, and a girl from Lyric’s Gaylord Academy will sing “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” famously recorded by OKC native Gayla Peevey.
“I think it really is kind of unique that Oklahoma City contributed a song to the Christmas canon of our country, and I think we ought to basically enshrine that tradition annually,” Holt said.
Traditional favorites
This year’s Downtown in December lineup will feature many that have become staples, including the Devon Ice Rink (open through Jan. 27); Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides (Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 30); the SandRidge Santa Run (Dec. 8); and A Dog Day in December (Dec. 1). For the fourth year, the Red Earth Art Center’s Treefest is showcasing Christmas trees adorned with handcrafted ornaments from American Indian tribes headquartered in Oklahoma; an open house is Dec. 1.
“One of my favorites is I can come down here and just walk around, and you’re experiencing Downtown in December because you’re surrounded by these (holiday) light curtains. It’s just stunning,” said Riley Cole, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership events coordinator.
One notable favorite will be missing this year at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
“The field at the ballpark is having its first renovation in 21 seasons, so due to the construction on the field, snow tubing won’t be happening this holiday season,” she said.
Streetcar opening
She said the schedule for one of the popular Devon’s Saturdays with Santa will be shifted to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8, meaning longer hours but fewer Saturdays.
That’s in part because the main attraction downtown on the weekend of Dec. 14 will be the grand opening of the Oklahoma City Streetcar, with the ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Leadership Square joining the bustling Downtown in December schedule.
“It’s a good excuse to experience the streetcar in its opening weeks, which will also be free during that time period,” Holt said. “I think the streetcar is going to change the way we experience downtown ... and this is the first opportunity to explore that.”
I think it really is kind of unique that Oklahoma City contributed a song to the Christmas canon of our country, and I think we ought to basically enshrine that tradition annually.” Mayor David Holt