Live Performances will Celebrate the Season before Mayor Holt Lights Tree
(OKLAHOMA CITY) - The Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary as it returns in person to Bricktown on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mickey Mantle Ave. outside of the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The early holiday season will kick-off to accommodate all the Downtown in December holiday events and attractions taking place that weekend. However, those looking to experience the Bricktown Christmas Tree Lighting the day after Thanksgiving will be able to continue tradition by tuning in online or on television for the Virtual Holiday Special debuting Friday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.
Free and open to everyone, the outdoor festival will include family-friendly activities such as photos with Santa Claus, face painting, caricatures, a Magic Elf, letters to Santa, and a showcase of holiday performances leading up to and following the countdown to the lighting of the Christmas tree by Mayor David Holt.
"We have much to celebrate this year,” said Mayor David Holt, “and I am thrilled that the Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival will be returning to Bricktown for its 20th anniversary. This is an OKC tradition that truly brings light to our city’s holiday season in every way. It also showcases our community’s amazing talent and diversity.
The live performances have something for everyone, featuring much-loved, familiar sights as well as new favorites. Attendees will see Lyric’s A Christmas Carol cast, Tony Foster Jr. and Kandace Duke, Sainrithya Dance Academy, Jabee, and much more. The Oklahoma City Ballet will also be joining the festival for the first time with a holiday performance by their post-grad students.
Those tuning in to the Virtual Holiday Special will see footage from the in-person festival, the lighting of the Bricktown Christmas Tree, additional holiday performances, and messages from special guests including Santa Claus. Watch the Virtual Holiday Special on Friday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m. on KOCB CW 34, at DowntowninDecember.com, on the Downtown OKC Facebook page, FOX 25 website and Facebook page, and the FOX 25 On Demand app. Encore presentations will air on KOKH FOX 25 on Nov. 26 at 9:30 p.m. and on Christmas Day at 12 p.m.
Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership and Mayor Holt invite all residents to join the fun, whether in person or virtually, to kick off this special holiday season.
The Oklahoma City Tree Lighting Festival is produced by Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership with sponsorship from Painted Door, Heartland, Bricktown Association, and Gipson Design. Additional support provided by Spark Creative and FOX 25. The Bricktown Christmas Tree sponsored by SONIC Foundation is on display at the canal overlook throughout the season.