When the holiday season rolls around, there are few activities that jingle our bells quite as much as a good, old-fashioned holiday light display. OKC is home to a bounty of festive light shows, and the Modern Frontier has illuminating experiences that are walkable or drivable. 

Pro tips: 

  • Before you set off, stock your vehicle (or backpack) with a cup of hot chocolate, spiced cider, coffee or tea.  
  • Dress in comfortable layers, especially if you plan to enjoy a walkable light display. 
  • Bring cozy blankets or lap throws in the car to snuggle up with. 
  • Don’t forget the holiday music – make a Spotify playlist, load up your CD player or find a local radio station playing holiday tunes. 

 

Where to go: 

Scissortail Park 

Stroll your way through the luminaria-lined paths and walkways, a 40-foot holiday tree, giant menorah, the crowd-pleasing ‘Illumination’ light show at Union Station and more. Scissortail Park’s holiday lights and Illumination light show are free to attend. 

 

OKC Zoo Safari Lights 

Walk or drive through OKC Zoo’s Safari Lights, and it is open nightly from November 12 to January 1. Safari Lights is packed with larger-than-life wildlife- themed light sculptures, animated light displays, festive treats and visits from Santa Claus. Drive-through admission is $65 per vehicle, which includes up to four walk-through passes. Walk-through only admission is $15 per person ages 3 and up. 

 

Lights on Broadway 

From November 19 to January 9, Automobile Alley will dazzle with more than 600,000 brilliantly hued LED lights draped along the buildings on North Broadway between NW 4th Street and NW 10th Street. While this stretch of the city is great to view by car, it’s even better on foot. 

 

Bricktown Canal Lights 

Stroll along the Bricktown Canal and enjoy a merry and bright holiday light display. The Bricktown Holiday Trees are created by artists Stephen Tyler and Nathan Hendrix. The lights will be up for viewing from November 19 to January 9. 

 

 

Bricktown Christmas Tree  

The Bricktown Christmas Tree will return to its location at the canal overlook across from the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. November 17 is the kickoff; come to see the tree light up and stay for the Christmas festival. 

 

Deep Deuce 

Enjoy the beauty of the historic Deep Deuce neighborhood (near NE 2nd Street and Oklahoma Ave.) all decked out in pretty lights for the holidays. Stop in at one of the many restaurants for a snack or a meal and continue on your merry way. 

 

City Center & Midtown 

Downtown OKC’s business district and Midtown shopping and dining district are charming and festive. Enjoy them on foot, via automobile or (pro tip) hop on the OKC Streetcar, which is free on weekends starting November 18 and ending January 1. 

 

Local Neighborhoods 

Walk or drive through Oklahoma City’s grande dames of historic neighborhoods. In Heritage Hills and Mesta Park, you can stroll the wide sidewalks through tree-lined streets filled with beautiful homes and impressive light displays. Borders are NW 23rd Street, NW 13th Street, Robinson Ave. and Western Ave. If you go by car, be mindful of those on foot, and remember the pro tips! Nichols Hills is better by car because of the literal miles of light displays. This venerable old-guard neighborhood’s holiday lights rival most professional displays. Street after street filled with lights and décor ranging from the elegantly traditional to the wildly whimsical. Bring your patience (and that thermos of cocoa) because it can be bumper-to-bumper on weekend evenings. 

 

Find more ways to celebrate the holidays with our full round up of events and happenings around the city.