Take a family road trip this season to experience holiday traditions new and old around our state. These three Oklahoma towns crank up Christmas in quirky, creative and charismatic ways.
Chickasha
Chickasha’s Festival of Light is the oldest light display in the state. Set in motion 31 years ago by a group of citizens seeking to promote goodwill and civic pride, the festival draws inspiration each year from the youthful wonder of the season, attempting to capture “Christmas through the eyes of a child,” shared Logan Lassey, the festival’s director.
“We like to follow the Disneyland rule,” said Lassey, “because we want to provide a warm, welcoming experience for everyone who comes to the park.”
For the past three decades, Shannon Springs Park’s 43 acres have been illuminated by millions of twinkling lights. Intricate displays range from whimsical characters to traditional holiday scenes, creating a magical atmosphere that spreads joy and holiday cheer.
Families can walk, drive or ride through the light display, which is open daily starting Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
Over the years, organizers and volunteers have expanded the festival, adding a 162-foot tree that can be seen for miles, carriage rides, an ice-skating rink, camel rides, food trucks and even a Ferris wheel. Santa and Mrs. Claus stop in most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the season.
In more recent years, the holiday fun has grown to include downtown Chickasha. Inspired by a local connection to the popular Christmas film A Christmas Story, a 40-foot inflatable leg lamp debuted on Chickasha Avenue in 2020, creating quite a buzz. Rumor has it that a creation by local artist and art teacher Noland James was the inspiration for the unique lamp in the movie. Chickasha’s towering leg lamp got an upgrade last holiday season, adding 10 extra feet and a new, more permanent fiberglass construction. The lamp is now the centerpiece of the Science & Arts Plaza year-round.
This December, stop in to pose for a photo with the lamp, check out downtown’s Christmas tree nearby, peruse a Red Rider BB Gun exhibit and then hop aboard the Santa Shuttle, a round-trip ride from Chickasha Avenue to Shannon Springs Park. For $2 a person, the shuttle will transport families from downtown to the Festival of Light, touring festive neighborhoods along the way. The shuttle and the BB gun exhibit will be open on select weekends in December and shuttle tickets are available for purchase at 100 W. Chickasha Ave. Kids 3 & under ride for free and strollers are welcome aboard the shuttle. Proceeds benefit Chickasha Public Schools.
For more information about the Festival of Light, visit chickashafestivaloflight
Chickasha Fun Facts
- The festival broke the 4 million light mark last year! It takes 50,000 lights alone to create the big tree.
- Volunteers spend more than 1,300 hours putting up lights each year. Some of the founding volunteers are still involved more than 30 years later.
- The mayor, his family and others dedicate two 8-hour days to string lights on the bridge, one of the festival’s most popular features.
Extend the fun:
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- Make it a full day of fun with a stop into Wild Ox Axe Throwing, open Wednesday-Sunday. Sessions start at $18 for adults and $11 for kids. wildoxaxethrowing.com
Family-friendly local eats:
- Interurban of Chickasha
- A&E Grill
- Ben & Jay’s Pizzeria
- Cotton Patch Cafe
Sapulpa
Last year, Sapulpa debuted the Route 66 Christmas Chute, a unique holiday display stretching along several blocks of the city’s charming downtown streets. Stroll down a brightly lit section of Historic Route 66 under 800-foot-long canopies brimming with an astonishing array of elaborate decorations that transform Dewey Avenue into a festive wonderland.
The Chute was a huge hit in its first year, drawing thousands of visitors from all over, said Cindy Lawrence, the executive director of Sapulpa Main Street.
“The smile on people’s faces, all of the joy and excitement, seeing people having the best time in downtown Sapulpa was wonderful,” shared Lawrence.
A team of business owners and community volunteers are determined to make this year bigger and better. In addition to even more over-the-top décor, there will be special events and activities every weekend including live music and other performances, arts and crafts for kids, snowball fights, a live nativity, caroling and gingerbread house building. Local stores and pop-up shops stay open late.
“We’ll have igloos available to rent so families can grab something to eat from one of the food trucks or a local restaurant and have a cozy place to hang out,” said Lawrence.
The Chute opens Nov. 14 and reservations for the Okie Igloo Village can be made at okiekidzinflatables.com.
Sapulpa Fun Facts
- The Chute is comprised of approximately 21,000 square feet of decorations, 35,400 lights and 10 different themes, all of which you can walk under!
- Volunteers spend two weeks (more than 10,000 hours) constructing and decorating the Chute.
Extend the fun:
- Stop into the Sapulpa Historical Museum to learn about the town’s earliest businesses and residents. See a blacksmith shop, sheriff’s office, fire station, territorial courthouse and a filling station, plus other highlights including a town trolley and Native American artifacts. facebook.com/SapulpaHistory/
- Learn more about The Mother Road at the Heart of Route 66 Auto Museum, home of the world’s tallest gas pump. See vintage rides, special interest cars and Route 66 memorabilia. heartofroute66.org
Family-friendly local eats:
- Happy Burger, one of the oldest drive-ins on Route 66
- Patriot Café
- Señor Pablo
- Sugar Llamas
Enid
As one of the oldest towns in the Sooner state, Enid offers plenty of family fun and history, but the holiday season ushers in even more. Main Street Enid is celebrating the 30th anniversary of their annual celebration, Enid Lights up the Plains, on the Friday after Thanksgiving. To kick things off with a bang, opening night will feature a variety of activities including live music, a nighttime parade, carriage rides, photos with Santa, a fireworks show and a few surprises.
In December, Main Street will host holiday markets, caroling, a hot chocolate and soup crawl and more. The Holidays on Ice rink adds to the fun with its own special events including a Rave on the Rink DJ dance party and a movie night. The rink is open daily. Admission is $14 with skate rental and $10 without. Kids 5 & under skate for $10.
Next to the rink, The One Enid, a multi-event holiday experience, is debuting a brand-new artificial Christmas tree, affectionately known as The Christ Tree. In years past, the tree was a towering fresh-cut evergreen that earned the title of the world’s tallest Christmas tree! But being the world’s tallest in a state known for its sweeping winds posed some significant challenges. In fact, the 2021 tree was damaged by high winds.
The new metal tree will stand 122 feet tall and will be covered in nearly 35,000 lights. Each week, the tree will feature a new choreographed light show set to music. Families can watch and listen from their car or get out to enjoy an up-close view of the tree. The One has special events planned throughout the season.
Learn more about Main Street Enid’s holiday events at mainstreetenid.org and The One’s events at theoneenid.com.
Enid Fun Facts
- The Christ Tree is made of 625 panels and requires six semi-trucks to transport all the pieces.
- The parade features 100 lighted floats, ending with Santa in his sleigh.
Extend the fun
Leonardo’s Children Museum is a popular stop for families with young kids and Enid Axe has a variety of activities to entertain older kids including axe throwing, pool tables and golf simulators. leonardos.org
History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Museum to explore the history of northwestern Oklahoma from settlement to modern day. csrhc.org
Family-friendly local eats:
- Settlers Brewery Co.
- Café Volare
- Napoli’s Italian Restaurant
Find even more family-friendly road trip ideas for the holidays and beyond at metrofamilymagazine.com/category/exploring-oklahoma/.
