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 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 holiday light displays in and around the Oklahoma City metro certainly stand out in our memories as some of the best ways to celebrate the season.
For even more seasonal fun, check out our Winter Fun Guides.
Safari Lights
1. The Oklahoma City Zoo will once again add glitter and sparkle during their Safari Lights. Families can drive-thru the zoo to see elaborate light displays. The wildlife-themed, 1-mile path wraps around the zoo and exits near the Children’s Zoo area where even more festive fun and lights await. Inside the Children’s Zoo and beyond is a walkable holiday experience that is filled with insta-worthy photo opportunities and tasty seasonal treats. Then, to top it all off, the Miranda family, Oklahoma’s second-ever contestant group on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, designed a synchronized light show for the zoo’s entry plaza.
The drive-thru experience is $70 per car and four tickets are included for the walkable activities in the Children’s Zoo. Families can opt for just the walkable activities for $16 per person for ages 3 and up. Timed tickets are required, and families can make their reservations for the night they would like to visit in advance online.
To learn more about Safari Lights, read this kid review!
Automobile Alley
2. Automobile Alley near downtown Oklahoma City presents a breathtaking display of holiday lights each winter. From Nov. 16 to Jan. 7, visit 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 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 which is 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, Dec. 2-16 from 3-7 p.m. Enjoy activities for kids, special promotions and giveaways, outdoor movies, live music and more.
Downtown in December boasts several other light displays including Myriad & Bright. Scissortail Park will also have paths of luminaries, a 40-foot-tall holiday tree and a giant menorah.
Christmas in the Park
3. Head west to Yukon for their annual Christmas in the Park Celebration. The drive-thru 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 the 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. 18-Dec. 31.
Listen to the 395th Army Band perform at the park on Dec. 1.
Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular
4. 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 Christmas 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.
New this year, city officials are expanding the festive cheer into Town Center Plaza.
Luminance: An Enchanted Stroll
5. 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 with interactive, 3D lighted displays and families can also take a spin on the ice at the Edmond Outdoor Ice Rink.
Bonus! – Even before it was featured on the television show “Great Christmas Light Fight,” the Downs Family Christmas was known for its brilliant holiday 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!
To see more holiday lights in OKC and beyond, check out this list.
What is your family’s favorite holiday light display? Let us know by commenting below or emailing us at tips@metrofamilymagazine.com.
