December brings endless strands of brilliant Christmas lights to the Oklahoma City area. My family, like many others I am sure, always looks forward to our trips to see holiday lights. To be honest, my kids would love to hit them all every year!
While we love to spot the beautiful Christmas lights throughout our own neighborhood and along all of the streets of OKC, there are a few holiday light displays that glow extra bright. These five festive free Christmas light displays in and around the Oklahoma City metro certainly stand out as some of the best ways to celebrate the season.
For even more seasonal fun, check out our Winter Fun Guides.
Yukon’s Christmas Lights – Christmas in the Park
Head west to Yukon for their annual Christmas in the Park Celebration. The drive-thru light display covers three park complexes with nearly three miles of illuminated fun, 5 million twinkling lights and over 425 one-of-a-kind lighted displays. See Yukon’s Christmas lights from your car or hop aboard the Santa Express Train in Chisholm Trail Park for an up-close view, weather permitting. Returning again this year, the Yukon Ice Rink at Chisholm Trail Park features 4,100 square feet of real ice so families can take in the festive sights from the ice. The lights are open 6-11 p.m. nightly, Nov. 23-Dec. 31. On Fridays & Saturdays, Santa will be hanging out at the lights, posing for pictures. Photo opportunities are free, but you’ll need to bring your own camera. Other characters will make appearances throughout the season, including Elf on the Shelf, Frosty and the Grinch.
Automobile Alley
Automobile Alley near downtown Oklahoma City presents a breathtaking display of holiday lights each winter. From Nov. 12 to Jan. 3, drive or walk down Broadway Avenue between N.W. 4th and N.W. 10th to see more than 600,000 colorful LED lights draped over buildings in a dazzling display of Christmas cheer. The Christmas light display is easily seen from your car, but if you want to truly get into the holiday spirit you should get out and take it in on foot. Or, hop aboard the OKC Streetcar and tour lights all around downtown. The streetcars are free on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays during the holiday season. The lights are on daily from dusk to dawn.
For a jumpstart on your holiday fun, set your calendars to attend Lights on Broadway on Saturdays, Nov. 30 through Dec. 14 from 4-7 p.m. Enjoy activities for kids, special promotions and giveaways, live music, photos with Santa and more.
Downtown in December boasts several other Christmas light displays including Bricktown and Myriad & Bright. Scissortail Park will also have paths of luminaries, a 40-foot-tall holiday tree and a giant menorah.
Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll
Just outside Oklahoma City, Edmond glows with the Christmas spirit throughout the month of December. Brilliant light displays can be found in downtown Edmond, the UCO and OC campuses and Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll at Mitch Park. So load up and drive throughout town to see different displays spread throughout the area. Mitch Park will be aglow from Nov. 22 through Jan. 1 with interactive, 3D lighted displays and families can also take a spin on the ice at the Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink.
On Nov. 22 & Dec. 14, families can shop at a holiday pop-up market, Merry Marketplace, and enjoy dinner or snacks from local food trucks from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be extra festivities on Dec. 14 including the annual Ugly Sweater Run, crafts and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular
Just as the name suggests, the Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular is nothing short of spectacular. The city transforms Joe B. Barnes Regional Park (8500 E. Reno Ave.) into a winter wonderland with more than 100 Christmas light displays. The most impressive is the 118-foot tree sparkling with 9,000 festive bulbs. This drive-through display is a great way to celebrate the season with the whole family. Load the car and stock up on cocoa to make the trip through the dazzling display. The lights are open 6-10 p.m. on weekdays and 6-11 p.m. on weekends, Dec. 1-25.
Christmas Lights Show at The Station Recreation Center
Load up the car with cozy blankets and sweet treats and head to Moore’s Central Park. Tune your radio to 89.7 and look high atop The Station to watch a 20-minute, synchronized musical light show set to classic holiday tunes and fun modern adaptations. Parking is easily available so you don’t even need to leave your car.
Bonus! – Even before it was featured on the television show “Great Christmas Light Fight,” the Downs Family Christmas was known for its brilliant Christmas light display. This light display makes the list not just for featuring more than 18 miles of stunning light strands, but because visitors take canned food and monetary donations that benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. It’s a win for everyone!
Another “Great Christmas Light Fight” contestant from Oklahoma, the Miranda Family Lights has become a holiday tradition for many metro families!
What is your family’s favorite holiday light display? Let us know by commenting below or emailing us at tips@metrofamilymagazine.com.
