Holiday Experiences to Try in Tulsa

Every year, Roosevelt’s Gastropub on Cherry Street goes above and beyond with their holiday decorations. Spend the evening enjoying a delicious meal under an astounding amount of hanging lights and ornaments. Every 45 minutes, the restaurant comes to life with a Christmas song and synchronous light show. With festive tunes resounding throughout the restaurant, it truly feels as though you’re sitting under a Christmas tree.

The Philbrook Museum of Art is preparing for lots of holiday cheer this season with an expanded Philbrook Festival operating day and night beginning Friday, Nov. 26. By day, enjoy a rousing line-up of holiday-themed happenings including a variety of activities, special exhibitions, a community-sourced Lego Villa, and plenty of festive decor. By night, the grounds are illuminated with beautiful lights and decorations on the entire property, presenting plenty of photo opportunities. Learn more and reserve your tickets today.

Visit the Gathering Place this year as they celebrate the holidays in the Williams Lodge. With free admission, the Gathering Place is a wonderful spot to take friends and family. To stay up-to-date on timing for their special holiday events, check out the Gathering Place events page. 

One of Tulsa’s many fun holiday traditions is the annual Christmas parade. The parade has been a long-standing tradition for over 90 years. Many businesses and organizations in the Tulsa communities come together as they display beautifully designed floats and balloons. The streets of Tulsa flood with people eager to watch the parade. This year (2022), the Christmas parade will be Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. with an "Art Deco The Halls" theme!

Do you have that perfect Christmas card photo yet? Woodward Park is the perfect place to take some beautiful photos under the fall foliage. Nestled in the heart of Midtown, Woodward Park is the perfect spot for a fall stroll after some shopping at Utica Square or before a lavish dinner on Brookside. Snap some keepsake photos with the manicured landscape to share with family and friends this holiday season!

As the weather gets cooler, bundle up and enjoy fresh air on some of Tulsa’s best hiking trails. Turkey Mountain is located just a few miles from Downtown and has plenty of trails that wind around the mountain. Walk under a canopy of trees in the crisp winter air and enjoy beautiful views of the Arkansas River.

This Machine bikes are the coolest way to travel around Downtown and Midtown. Download the “This Machine” app to see the nearest bikes in the area and go for a ride! The bikes have pedal assist, a powered motor that can help you reach speeds up to 16 mph. You can zoom up and down Riverside trails as you enjoy fall foliage and gorgeous Christmas light displays in the area neighborhoods.

Santa and his reindeer are coming to the Tulsa Zoo! Seeing Santa is a classic tradition and what better place than the zoo. At Breakfast with Santa, visitors are welcome to enjoy a hot breakfast, create fun arts and crafts, and meet Santa. Tickets are on sale starting Nov. 1. Keep up to date by following the Tulsa Zoo on social media and visiting their website.

The Botanic Garden of Lights is a spectacular sight to see. It runs from 5 - 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays beginning Friday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Dec. 4, then nightly from Thursday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 30. The garden comes to life with colorful lights in the spirit of the holidays. Be sure to check out their social media or the Tulsa Botanic Garden website for updates on special visitors like The Snow Queen and food truck schedules.

The holiday season calls for sweet treats, from gingerbread cookies to holiday chocolates. Glacier has all your sweet treat needs covered. Find the perfect gift for loved ones like holiday-themed truffles, Tulsa advent calendars, toffee, and so much more.

Follow their social media and check out their website to stay up-to-date on fun holiday happenings this year! 

Find a present for everyone on your list at the shops at Utica Square. Every year, the holiday decorations in the square make you feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. The “Lights On” lighting event takes place on Thanksgiving night and celebrates the lighting of over 700,000 lights with live music and Santa Claus.

The Nutcracker is a holiday classic spectacular like no other. Watch and be captivated by talented classical ballet dancers performing one of Tulsa’s favorite traditions. With brand-new choreography by Val Caniparoli and Ma Cong, Tulsa Ballet’s past Resident Choreographers, and spectacular new sets and costumes by Tracy Grant Lord, this larger-than-life production brings the Victorian era to life with lavish visuals to tell the story of a young girl’s magical journey on Christmas Eve. Find Nutcracker ticket information and catch this family-friendly show live Dec. 9-11 and 16-23.

Arvest Winterfest is back this year with Tulsa’s only outdoor ice-skating rink. Enjoy horse-drawn carriages, hot chocolate and festive music at this beloved annual tradition right outside the BOK Center in the downtown Arena District. Arvest Winterfest presented with CommunityCare will be open from Friday, Nov. 18 through Monday, Jan. 2.