Name: 25 ways to celebrate Christmas 2020 in Oklahoma: From lights displays to quirky attractions, holiday merriment abounds even in 2020
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25 ways to celebrate Christmas 2020 in Oklahoma: From lights displays to quirky attractions, holiday merriment abounds even in 2020

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Brandy McDonnell Between the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the autumn ice storm, 2020 has proven quite the Grinch for Oklahomans looking to make merry this holiday season.Local favorites like the Devon Ice Rink at the Myriad Gardens, Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular, “The Polar Express” Train Ride at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas festivities and holiday snow tubing at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark have been canceled this year, while numerous yuletide events have shifted to virtual formats for health and safety reasons.But it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the Sooner State, and outdoor, drive-by or reimagined opportunities for in-person merriment still abound.Here are 25 holiday attractions, events or performances that are still offering comfort and joy across the state this season:1. Chickasha Leg Lamp: The Grady County seat kicked off a social media sensation with a new 40-foot inflatable leg lamp in downtown Chickasha. A giant version of the one famously featured in the 1983 film "A Christmas Story," the “indescribably beautiful” attraction is posed on a 10-foot box labeled "fragile" and planted on the east end of Chickasha Avenue. Since it can’t always be displayed in windy weather, there are plans to build an even bigger permanent version to honor local ties with the iconic film prop. Information: www.facebook.com/VisitChickashaOk.2. Red Earth Treefest: For the sixth year, the Red Earth Art Center invited Oklahoma-based American Indian nations to decorate evergreens with handmade ornaments to showcase the distinctive culture of each tribe. The display is free to see from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends through Jan. 3 in a new location, at the Shoppes at Northpark, 12100 N May Ave. Information: www.redearth.org/events/treefest.3. Union Station light show: The synchronized holiday music and lighting experience at historic Union Station at Scissortail Park, 300 SW 7, is a dazzling new addition to Oklahoma City’s Downtown in December celebration. The show glows from 6 to 11 nightly through Jan. 1. Plus, the park has several festive events planned through the season. Information: scissortailpark.org.4. Downtown Norman’s Netflix Christmas lights: Netflix picked six U.S. cities, including Norman, to decorate their downtown areas with festive lights this year. The streaming giant’s “Here for the Holidays” display was installed last week in the 200 block of East Main in Norman. Information: twitter.com/DowntownNorman.5. Holiday Market at Myriad Gardens: Shop local vendors, sample food truck fare, partake of beverages from Double Shot Bar Services and check out the holiday decor on the grounds from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday on the Seasonal Plaza, where the Devon Ice Rink is usually located, 301 W Reno. Social distancing and masks are required. Information: myriadgardens.org.6. Edmond's Luminance: Take “An Enchanted Stroll” through 3-D lighted displays powered by Edmond Electric from 5 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 3 at Mitch Park, 1501 W Covell Road. Along with the free walk-through lights display, Mitch Park is hosting through Jan. 4 an outdoor ice rink where people can rent skates and hit the ice. Information: edmondok.com and www.edmondicerink.com.7. Free OKC Streetcar rides: Part of Downtown in December for the second year, the free rides are offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 3. Information: OKCStreetcar.com and downtownindecember.com.8. Kringle's Christmas Land in Jenks: Ben Sumner’s stunning display of vintage mechanized holiday decorations earned him $50,000 last week on the ABC series “The Great Christmas Light Fight.” The lights are on 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 at 12520 S Date Place. Information: www.facebook.com/KringlesChristmasLand.9. Crystal Bridge Conservatory’s poinsettia tree: It's a towering downtown OKC holiday tradition. Plus, the Myriad Gardens' tropical oasis is closing in spring for a full makeover, so visit while you can. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: myriadgardens.org.10. Bricktown Canal lights and trees: Bricktown Water Taxi has been forced to reduce capacity due to the pandemic, so there are no free rides this season and reservations are required for paid jaunts. But the holiday lights are still gleaming through Jan. 10, and local artists Nathan Hendrix and Stephen Tyler of True Façade have added some new sparkle to the trees and bridges. Information: bricktownwatertaxi.com and downtownindecember.com.11. Yukon’s Christmas in the Park: In its 25th year, it is billed as the state's largest drive-thru light display, boasting more than 5 million lights and 500 charming displays spread over three interconnected parks, where an ice skating rink and Santa Express Train add to the holiday spirit. Visitors also can walk through the free light show (donations are welcome), which is illuminated from 6 to 11 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Information: www.yukonok.gov/ChristmasinthePark.12. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s contactless Santa visits: The retailers have reimagined their free Santa's Wonderland experience due to the pandemic, placing a glare-free acrylic barrier between St. Nick and visiting families, creating a contactless experience. Temperature checks, sanitizing and social distancing also are part of the festivities, which continue through Dec. 24. Reservations are required at www.basspro.com/santa or www.cabelas.com/santa.13. Miranda Family Lights in Edmond: The massive animated light and music show was featured last year on "The Great Christmas Light Fight" and raises money for the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The free 1980s-theme walk-up or drive-up experience operates from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Dec. 31 at 19544 Talavera Lane. Information: www.facebook.com/mirandafamilylights.14. Enid Ice Rink: Through Jan. 3, Enid is hosting its first outdoor ice rink at 400 S Independence. Information: www.visitenid.org.15. Rhema Christmas Lights in Broken Arrow: More than 2 million lights synchronized to Christmas music shimmer on the Rhema Bible Church campus, 1025 W Kenosha. Visitors can walk or drive through for free (donations appreciated) or take a carriage ride from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Information: www.rhemalights.org.16. Midtown Holiday Pop-Up Shops: In its ninth year, the holiday shopping village features local retailers set up in tents, a Christmas tree lot and the 30-foot Midtown tree Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20 at NW 10 and Hudson. Information: www.okcpopups.com.17. Chickasha Festival of Light: Walk or drive through the famed 43-acre light display at Shannon Springs Park, 2400 S 9, for free (donations accepted) from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 6 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Dec. 31. Additional attractions include an ice skating rink, Ferris wheel, carousel and carriage rides. Information: chickashafestivaloflight.org.18. Lyric Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol”: The OKC theater has converted its yuletide favorite into an immersive outdoor walking show at the Harn Homestead living history museum, 1721 N Lincoln Blvd. Limited to 100 patrons per show, performances continue through Dec. 23. Information and tickets: www.LyricTheatreOKC.org.19. Downs Family Christmas Lights Ministry in Norman: Another Oklahoma residence once featured on “The Great Christmas Light Fight," the snazzy drive-up display synchronized to music is in its 14th season of bringing cheer to 2900 72 Ave. SE. Open nightly through the New Year, the ministry collects donations for the Regional Food Bank. Information: www.downsfamilychristmas.com.20. Tulsa's Arvest Winterfest: Socially distanced ice skating is offered through Jan. 3 inside the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Reservations are required. Information: www.tulsawinterfest.com.21. Newcastle’s singing Christmas trees: The free lights display at Leesa Cornett Park off U.S. 62 is small, but it boasts a huge animated illuminated tree, a candy cane-theme covered bridge and a pair of Christmas trees cannily programmed to sing along to seasonal standards like "Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Frosty the Snowman." Watching their Mariah Carey impersonation on "All I Want for Christmas Is You" never fails to make me laugh. Information: cityofnewcastleok.com.22. Oklahoma City Ballet's “The Nutcracker: Short &amp; Sweet”: Showcasing excerpts from the holiday classic including the dancing snowflakes and Kingdom of Sweets characters, this year's production is presented without intermission and with limited capacity, socially distanced seats. Performances are 2 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. Friday; and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Dec. 20 at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker, and a streaming on-demand option is available. Information and tickets: www.okcballet.org.23. Automobile Alley’s holiday lights: The historic downtown OKC district dazzles this time of year, with more than 230,000 kaleidoscopic LED lights curtaining the buildings along 10 blocks of North Broadway and the side streets through Jan. 10. Information: downtownindecember.com.24. Castle Christmas in Muskogee: Drive through the Castleton Village, featuring thousands of colorful lights, for free (donations accepted) from 5:30 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31 or pay to take a camel, pony, train or hayride. Information: www.okcastle.com.25. State Capitol Christmas Tree: Adorned with giant glowing snowflakes and shiny red balls, the soaring evergreen stands on the south steps and offers an incentive to check the progress on the multiyear Capitol restoration project, expected to be finished in 2022. Crews have largely finished restoring the outside, and it's nice to see it without scaffolds or construction fences. Information: www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.5503.

Brandy McDonnell Between the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the autumn ice storm, 2020 has proven quite the Grinch for Oklahomans looking to make merry this holiday season.Local favorites like the Devon Ice Rink at the Myriad Gardens, Midwest City Holiday Lights Spectacular, “The Polar Express” Train Ride at the Oklahoma Railway Museum, Guthrie’s Territorial Christmas festivities and holiday snow tubing at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark have been canceled this year, while numerous yuletide events have shifted to virtual formats for health and safety reasons.But it’s beginning to look a...

25 ways to celebrate Christmas 2020 in Oklahoma: From lights displays to quirky attractions, holiday merriment abounds even in 2020

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