Between the gifts, the parties, the travel and the extra household guests, Christmas can get expensive. Here are 15 ways to celebrate the holiday in Oklahoma City without spending a dime. Find more information about all these activities on our online calendar.
This list is generously sponsored by New Covenant United Methodist Church. New Covenant is hosting a Christmas Eve service designed especially for families! Families can sit together and enjoy learning and laughing while playing games, singing holiday songs, hearing the Christmas story in a fun way, and ending with a kid-friendly candlelight element during this Family Christmas Eve service.
- Tour downtown for free when the OKC Streetcars offer complimentary fares on the weekends Nov. 18 – Jan. 1 in celebration of their anniversary and the holiday season.
- Help light Stockyards City during their annual tree lighting celebration on Nov. 18. Santa will be there and families can enjoy hot chocolate and carols. 6 p.m.
- A dazzling display of holiday lights that’s sure to put the whole family in the holiday spirit lines Broadway Avenue through Automobile Alley near downtown Oklahoma City. Stop in during their Lights on Broadway events on Saturdays, Dec. 3 & 10, and see the lights on a free carriage ride.
- Drive or walk through Yukon’s FREE Christmas in the Park holiday light display which includes three park complexes and nearly 5 million twinkling lights. The lights are open 6-11 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31.
- Celebrate Chanukah at Scissortail Park! Enjoy live entertainment and the lighting of a 15-foot menorah. The celebration on Dec. 18 is open to all and gets started at 6 p.m.
- Boys Ranch Town residents and staff perform a live nativity each year for the community to enjoy. Stop in to see their performance, complete with live animals from the ranch Dec. 2-4 from 7-9 p.m.
- Hang out with the man of the month at Bass Pro. Santa will be visiting with families and posing for pictures through Dec. 24. Advanced reservations are required.
- Make your way to the Oklahoma River for a festive Holiday River Parade on Dec. 3 to see water skiing elves, holiday-themed boats, a laser light show and fireworks! The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m.
- Enjoy a lighted parade with festive floats, special characters and more in Downtown Norman. This year’s parade theme is Get Your Glow On and will start marching Dec. 3 at 6 p.m.
- Celebrate the season with a bang at Moore’s Christmas Spectacular on Dec. 3. Listen to carolers, shop a mini-market and finish the night with a fireworks show. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and kids can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- On Dec. 2, The Pointe at Chisholm Creek will transform into a Christmas Village complete with holiday lights, live reindeer, performances by the OKC Ballet, a visit from Santa and other Christmas characters and more. Activities begin at 6 p.m.
- Stroll through more than 30 interactive 3D LED displays including a walk-thru light tunnel and lighted trees and pavilions at Luminance at Mitch Park in Edmond. The light display is open nightly 5 – 10 p.m. through Jan. 1.
- Enjoy some old-fashioned Christmas fun during the annual FREE Holiday Hop at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum on Dec. 3. Craft, sip hot cocoa and enjoy the exhibits on display.
- Help Deck the Hall of Fame at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame’s annual holiday celebration with crafts, family-friendly activities and the chance to meet Santa on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. – noon.
- Get into the winter spirit with Oklahoma Contemporary! Enjoy free art activities as well as a hot chocolate bar and indoor snowball fight during their FREE Second Saturday Ice Block Party event on Dec. 10 from 1-4 p.m.
BONUS: Find a meaningful Christmas Eve service for your family, including the Family Christmas Eve at New Covenant UMC of Edmond, the generous sponsor of this list, at 3 p.m. on Dec. 24.
Worth the Drive
Take part in a special kick-off celebration of the Lights in Legion Park on Nov. 26. There will be the lighting ceremony as well as train rides, a petting zoo, plus Santa and Mrs. Claus.
