A Celebration of Community, Tradition, and Festive Cheer
(OKLAHOMA CITY) – The Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival presented by Heartland will return on Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Bricktown as the official kickoff of Downtown in December presented by Devon. This free community event invites the public to join Mayor David Holt for a family-friendly evening of holiday festivities including diverse performances highlighting Oklahoma City’s many cultures and traditions.
Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival, now in its 23rd year, will take place in Bricktown on the Mickey Mantle Plaza of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. The main attraction of the evening is the countdown to the lighting of the Bricktown Christmas Tree by Mayor Holt followed by a showcase of diverse holiday and cultural performances on the main stage on Mickey Mantle Avenue.
“The Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival is a moment for us to come together as a community,” said Mayor Holt. “This event captures our city’s spirit, energy, and holiday joy, showcasing the talent and diversity that make our city shine. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all in Bricktown as we light up our City’s Christmas tree and the holiday season in OKC.”
The Bricktown Christmas Tree will be lit at approximately 6 p.m., and performances will continue until 8 p.m. with Cindy Scarberry as emcee and music from the Oklahoma Opry House Band for the evening’s lineup. Fan favorites such as Oklahoma City Ballet, Jabee, Hưng Việt Drum Show and Lion Dancers, Yumare Mexican Folkloric Dancers, RACE Dance Collective, and Lyric Theatre Academy students are returning, in addition to new performances by Tapestry (women’s dance group) Sarafina Byrd (singer/songwriter), Laura Naturally (violinist), Rod Porter (singer), and more.
The event includes free activities such as Photos with Santa Station provided by Inasmuch Foundation and an interactive balloon snow globe. In partnership with Arts Council Oklahoma City’s Art Moves, attendees will have access to free face painting, balloon art, and aerialist performances. In addition, the Oklahoma City Thunder Girls, Drummers, and Storm Chasers will be on-site to entertain the community alongside the Thunder Bolt Bus.
Families and children are invited to the Letters to Santa Station sponsored by Communication Federal Credit Union where they can write and place letters to Santa in a North Pole mailbox and decorate downtown-themed holiday postcards to take home or mail. Attendees will also have an opportunity to enjoy free samples from downtown businesses, including popcorn from Harkins Theatre, chocolate fondue from The Melting Pot, hot chicken from Dave’s Hot Chicken, holiday glazed ham from Rodizio Grill, fried chicken mac & cheese from Bricktown Brewery, churro bread pudding from Mickey Mantle Steakhouse, and Cookie Butter custard from Spark.
Items for purchase include hot chocolate and coffee from Junction Coffee, a variety of concession items by Oklahoma City Comets ballpark concession window, and glow accessories or wrapping paper from Curbside Chronicle.
The Bricktown Christmas Tree will shine brighter than ever with new LED lighting and ornament improvements and will be on display through New Year’s Day.
Additional support for the Bricktown Christmas Tree and the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival provided by Bricktown Association, Johnson & Associates, Oklahoma City Thunder, Bank of Oklahoma, Centennial Landscaping, Gipson Design, MidFirst Bank, TTCU Federal Credit Union, OKC Marquee, and Oklahoma City Comets. For more information, visit DowntownInDecember.com.