From festive ice skating and twinkling Main Streets to Victorian-style celebrations, Green Country knows how to capture the magic of the season. Northeast Oklahoma sets the stage for unforgettable holiday memories, whether you’re watching a timeless ballet performance, exploring a 1900s Christmas village with hot cocoa in hand or strolling a historic boulevard lit all decked out for Christmas. Explore the best holiday events across Green Country and celebrate the season in true Oklahoma style.
Kick off the holiday season with an old-fashioned Christmas experience at Dickens on the Boulevard in Claremore. Held the weekend before Thanksgiving, this charming event showcases living window displays, as Victorian-garbed shopkeepers portray potters, spinners, blacksmiths and wood carvers. This two-day event offers delicious food, live stage entertainment, a living nativity scene and pictures with Santa. A festive Victorian street dance brings this Claremore celebration to a close each night.
Experience the magic of the season as Tulsa’s Winterfest transforms downtown into a sparkling holiday hangout. Centered around the BOK Center, this cherished tradition sets the mood with a towering LED-lit Christmas tree, festive music and cozy carriage rides. Lace up your skates and glide across the outdoor ice rink, then stick around for special attractions like free Friday night performances, the Winterfest Express train on Saturdays and Santa visits each weekend leading up to Christmas. Take an exhilarating ride down a 60-ft ice slide or settle into a private igloo in Pepsi Village for a warm and whimsical break from the cold. With dazzling lights, joyful events and holiday cheer lasting through the New Year, Winterfest is the perfect place to celebrate winter in Tulsa.
Transport yourself to a magical Christmas village straight out of a storybook. Held at Har-Ber Village Museum in Grove, Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village transforms the grounds into a turn-of-the-century holiday wonderland. Stroll through the decorated buildings glowing with early-1900s ambiance packed with holiday gifts, treats and live entertainment. Write a letter to Santa, sip on hot chocolate and stick around as magical snowfall drifts through the village every hour.
Held annually on the second and third weekends in December, Shepherd’s Cross in Claremore celebrates the reason for the season during Christmas at the Farm. Visit the heated, indoor manger scene to meet Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men, angels, shepherds and, of course, friendly animals from the farm. Within the Amish-built gambrel roof barn, enjoy tours of the living nativity scene every 30 minutes, as well as musicians, soloists and storytellers. Savor apple cider and free cookies while viewing fiber arts demonstrations, playing games or exploring this Claremore farm’s many exhibits.
At any other time of the year, the historic Coleman Theatre is a stately sight, but at Christmas it’s especially magical. Located in Miami, visit during the holiday season to see the opulent 1929 theater decked out with Christmas trees and twinkling lights. There are also special holiday performances throughout the month, including A Big Band Christmas and an annual screening of Frank Capra’s classic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Celebrate the holiday season with one of Oklahoma’s most cherished ballet traditions: The Nutcracker. Every December, audiences are swept away by this magical story presented by both the Tulsa Ballet and the Bartlesville Civic Ballet. Follow Clara as she dreams her way into a world of toy soldiers, a brave Nutcracker prince and the mischievous Mouse King in this timeless Christmas favorite.
All aboard a whimsical trolley this holiday season! The Christmas Express in downtown Bixby spans several nights in December and takes passengers on a holiday light viewing tour where the magic of Christmas will surround you at every turn. In addition to the trolley ride, there is also themed storytellers, a living nativity, visits with Santa, and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.
Over at the Rhema Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow, you can see the lights in style when you board the Rhema Express Train. No reservations are needed, and the train runs nearly every night.
Although you can’t ride the train in Stilwell, it will be an amazing sight to see as the lighted CPKC Holiday Train rolls into Adair Park. This one-night concert will feature performances by Smash Mouth and J.J. Wilde, as well as an indoor Christmas market and outdoor Christmas village.
