Between the gifts, the parties, the travel and the extra household guests, Christmas can get expensive. Here are 15 ways to celebrate the holidays in Oklahoma City without spending a dime.
Find more information about all these activities on our online calendar.
- Kick off the holiday season with festive live performances and tree lighting at the OKC Tree Lighting Festival in Bricktown on Nov. 13. Enjoy a night full of festive fun with photos with Santa, a kids’ letter-writing station, inflatables, face painting and more family-friendly activities.
- Downtown Edmond rolls out the red carpet for families during their annual Deck the Downtown event on Nov. 13. Watch the lighting of a 20-foot tree and enjoy wagon rides, kids & family activities, a family photo area, live music and more. Kids will have the chance to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus.
- Step into some unique holiday magic at the Red Earth Art Center! Each year, the art center’s halls are festively decorated with dazzling Christmas trees adorned with handmade ornaments that celebrate the vibrant and diverse Native cultures of Oklahoma. During Treefest, explore uniquely decorated trees and shop a selection of artisan-made gifts. The art center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Dec. 31.
- A dazzling display of holiday lights 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, Nov. 29-Dec. 13 from 4-7 p.m. and enjoy lots of family-friendly fun.
- Tour downtown for free when the OKC Streetcars offer complimentary fares on the weekends Nov. 14- Jan. 4 in celebration of their anniversary and the holiday season. Christmas shopping tip – Make sure to hop off to shop the Holiday Pop-up Shops at the Midtown stop.
- Score that perfect holiday photo at Edmond Electric’s Luminance at Mitch Park. Stroll through the park and pose among the dozens of 3D LED displays, a lighted walk-through tunnel and lighted trees. The holiday lights shine bright nightly through Jan. 1 from 5 to 10 p.m.
- Meet Santa and other Christmas characters and pose for photos, plus enjoy live music, giveaways and more at Chisholm Creek’s Christmas Village on Dec. 6.
- Santa and the Grinch will be hanging out at Norman’s Winterfest on Dec. 6. See the city’s tree lighting and enjoy cocoa & cookies, crafts, live performances and a drone show.
- 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. 13 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Get into the winter spirit with Oklahoma Contemporary! Enjoy free art activities as well as a hot chocolate bar and live entertainment during their FREE Second Saturday XL Polar Party event on Dec. 13 from 1-5 p.m.
- Celebrate Chanukah at Scissortail Park! Enjoy live entertainment and the lighting of a giant menorah. The celebration on Dec. 14 is open to all and gets started at 4:30 p.m.
- 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.
- 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.
- Load up the car with cozy blankets and festive drinks on your way to the Holiday Lights Spectacular in Midwest City. At Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, drive through the mile-long display to search for Santa fly fishing, elves baking in a candy factory and a 118-foot Christmas tree illuminated with over 9,000 LED bulbs. The Christmas lights run through Dec. 2-25, beginning at 6 p.m. nightly.
- Welcome winter at the Winter Solstice Celebration at the First Americans Museum on Dec. 20-21. Go on an interpretative walk up the FAM Mound, watch cultural demonstrations and observe the setting of the solstice sun through the Mound tunnel.
This article about free Christmas celebrations in Oklahoma City was updated by Lindsay Cuomo, MetroFamily’s digital editor, to include event details for activities happening in 2025. Lindsay has been with MetroFamily since 2014, covering family-focused local happenings and news. Find even more things to do this winter, including holiday events, on our Winter Fun Guides.
- Hunt for the perfect family tree at one of these Christmas tree farms.
- See our massive holiday guide of local events for things to do all holiday season.
- Make some memories together at one of these Downtown in December events.
