Living it up with Downtown in December
STAFF WRITER
In its 12th year, Downtown in December is offering more chances for rockin’ around the Christmas tree this holiday season, including a new throwback display in one of Oklahoma City’s historic districts.
Presented by Devon Energy, Downtown in December is a monthlong holiday extravaganza with attractions ranging from ice skating and zip lining to visits with Santa Claus and free water taxi rides.
While elaborate light displays along the Bricktown Canal and Automobile Alley are established traditions, downtown’s historic Film Row this year will get “A Vintage Christmas” treatment, with 1950s-style holiday decor presented by Dunlap Codding brightening Sheridan Avenue.
“Film Row is an up-and-coming district right now, so they wanted to get in on the Christmas action. We kind of toyed around with a bunch of different ideas,” said Gentry McKeown, communications coordinator for Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. “But it’s definitely
Santa and shopping
going to be a vintage vibe down there.”
Along with the new Film Row lights, Downtown in December will include plenty of returning favorites, including the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing and Santa’s Adventures on the Oklahoma River.
The festivities officially kick off with the SandRidge Tree Lighting Festival from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the towering tree’s new location in front of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
Old St. Nick and Mayor Mick Cornett will oversee the free celebration, which will include family-friendly crafts, free cookies and popcorn and live music from Banana Seat.
While longtime Downtown in December attractions like the ice rink and snow tubing draw more revelers each year, McKeown said newer events like Continental Resources Free Movie Mondays and Devon’s Saturdays with Santa also have proven popular.
“Last year, Saturdays with Santa was so popular that there was sometimes up to an hour-and-a-half to two-hour wait in line to go see Santa,” she said.
“This year, they have a new paging policy, so whenever you want to take your kids to see Santa, you check in and they’ll take your cellphone number. Whenever it’s your turn to go stand in just a really short line, they’ll send you a text message. Hopefully, that’ll give people a little more time to enjoy the arts and crafts and entertainment.”
Last year’s inaugural Winter Market was an outdoor affair that had to shut down early because of inclement weather.
Renamed the Deluxe Winter Market, this year’s twoday shopping spectacular is set for Saturday and Sunday inside the Chevy Bricktown Events Center. Admission is free.
It won’t be the only shopping opportunity during Downtown in December. The Holiday Pop-Up Shops that last year opened in the Myriad Botanical Gardens are popping up this year in Midtown in glowing geodesic domes.
The Myriad Gardens still will play host to visually stunning pop-up retailers with its new Winter Shops. Presented by Prodigal, the glass-walled shopping chalets are modeled after the famous outdoor Holiday Shops at Bryant Park in New York City.
Lights and crafts
Along with hosting the Devon Ice Rink and Winter Shops, the Myriad Gardens features an array of holiday fun, including how-to classes on gingerbread houses, natural ornaments and other seasonal crafts, a brunch with Santa on Dec. 15 and free admission to the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory from 6 to 9 p.m. Sundays in December.
The gardens this year are illuminated with new holiday lights presented by OG&E and devised by nationally known installation designer Tres Fromme.
“We drew our inspiration from the Devon Tower, whose lights are amazing,” said Myriad Gardens market- ing director Christine Eddington. “So, instead of millions of wrapped trees … and taking the course that we’ve taken for years, we decided to create installations. They’re magical in kind of an artistic delightful way.”
The new installations include the chiming trees of the Silver Bell Walk, the playful larger-than-life waterfowl of the Penguin Party and the starry Crystal Constellations inside the Crystal Bridge
“We love Downtown in December,” Eddington said. “We just think it’s such a great way to bring people who may not ordinarily come to downtown into the downtown area. It’s festive for people who work downtown, and it’s great for families.”