Preview: OKC's Downtown in December includes more than 30 holiday events and attractions

An abbreviated version of this story appears in Friday's The Oklahoman.

Downtown in December makes the holiday season merry and bright

From the inaugural Sugar Plum Promenade and the first March of the Trees to the return of an icy favorite and a Native American rendition of Christmas carols, the holidays will be especially merry and bright in Downtown Oklahoma City.

In its 18th year, Downtown in December includes more than 30 holiday events and attractions, coordinated and produced in part by the Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership, in collaboration with other organizations.

Some of this weekend's kickoff activities, including the OKC Tree Lighting Festival, the season's first snow tubing sessions and the first Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides, have been shifted to Saturday due to Friday's rainy weather forecast.

"There's literally something for everyone, whether it's running a 5K, taking your dog to the dog park to get pictures with Santa or going on a bar crawl through Automobile Alley," Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership Communications Manager Danielle Dodson said, with the latter referring to the sixth OKC Crawl planned from 6 to 11 p.m. Dec. 13 in Automobile Alley to benefit the Junior League of Oklahoma City.

"I think that it will only continue to grow, because when you have this momentum ... it's just so much easier to add more to that and get people on board and have an even bigger reason to come downtown."

In honor of a certain iconic Christmas carol, here are 12 top events planned for Downtown in December. For even more, go to downtownindecember.com.

1. LifeShare WinterFest and Snow Tubing, Saturday through Jan. 4, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark: A longtime yuletide favorite, the snow tubing was benched last year as the ballpark was undergoing renovations. The attraction again will offer two towering slopes for thrill seekers.

All public snow tubing sessions slated for Friday have been canceled due to the inclement weather forecast. Tickets purchased for Friday's snow tubing sessions can be exchanged at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark Ticket Office for any other session based on availability. The special $10 unlimited riding offer will be available in conjunction with the OKC Tree Lighting festival from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday only. Information: OKCDodgers.com.

"There were over 20,000 people who attended in 2017, so we anticipate it being a really big season again this year. That's one of our premier events," Dodson said.

2. Sugar Plum Promenade, 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Scissortail Park. Downtown OKC's sprawling new park gets in on the festive fun with a holiday train, free photos with Santa, hot chocolate, s'mores, children's crafts, strolling performers, costumed characters and more. Information: scissortailpark.org.

"It's nice that it's another free public space where people can just gather in the holiday season and enjoy the holiday festivities and spirit without paying to go to a specific event. So, we're super excited to have this other urban space available for the community," said Holly Hoyler, Downtown OKC Partnership's events and special projects coordinator. "I'm sure it will grow from here."

3. "Illuminations: Starry Starry Night," through Jan. 5, Myriad Botanical Gardens' Crystal Bridge. After a successful debut last year with a Northern Lights theme, the Myriad Gardens is bringing back the immersive, high-tech, nontraditional "Illuminations" light show, this year with a celestial theme inspired by Vincent van Gogh's famed painting "Starry Night."

Poinsettia displays, weekend visits from costumed characters and a summer solstice concert by Christian Pearson Trio from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 21 also will brighten the season inside the iconic cylindrical conservatory. Information: myriadgardens.org.

"Our 2020 'Illuminations' is meant to add some holiday magic to the downtown with a creative indoor light effects show that is unique and engaging for all ages," said Myriad Gardens Foundation Executive Director Maureen Heffernan.

4. Devon's Weekend with Santa, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7-8, Myriad Gardens. The popular Saturdays with Santa moves to one weekend and across Sheridan Avenue. Activities will include free photos with Santa, train rides, food trucks, specialty shops and more. Information: DowntowninDecember.com.

"They're packing all that magic into one weekend at the Myriad Gardens ... and it's going to be able to be bigger and better than it's ever been because they're taking over the whole Myriad Gardens," Dodson said.

5. Free Oklahoma City Streetcar rides, weekends through Jan. 5, throughout downtown. Along with offering complementary rides Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Embark is celebrating the Oklahoma City Streetcar’s first year of service with an all-day birthday party Dec. 14. Information: OKCStreetcar.com.

"This year is going to be easier than ever to get around with the Oklahoma City Streetcar being open all season," Dodson said. "It's a fun way to explore our city."

6. OKC Tree Lighting Festival, 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Third Base Plaza, Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Mayor David Holt and Santa will light the stately evergreen at the official kickoff for Downtown in December.

Performers will include OKC rapper Jabee, Academia OKC’s intermediate mariachi group, Oklahoma’s Native Praise Choir, one-time "American Idol" finalist Tony Foster Jr. with Kandace Duke, Lyric Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" cast and a Lyric Academy student singing the local favorite “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.” Information: DowntowninDecember.com.

"This is has been a longstanding tradition in the community. I think it first started in 2002 as like the Mayor's Tree Lighting, and it's really just evolved since then," Hoyler said. "When Mayor Holt became involved last year, it really got a new life to it with his 1OKC motto and really bringing in new cultural acts and groups. This year we're really excited to have some diverse groups as well."

7. Devon Ice Rink, through Feb. 2, Myriad Gardens. The ice rink remains one of downtown OKC's most popular seasonal attractions. Information: DowntowninDecember.com.

"It's a big diverse group that attends ... and there's so much happening at the Myriad Gardens that it's easy to pair that with something that's free or affordable because they have lots of programming throughout the gardens throughout the whole season," Hoyler said.

8. SandRidge Santa Run, 9 a.m. Dec. 14, SandRidge Energy. Along with the 5K race and one-mile fun run, the event includes a photo booth, face painting and a build-your-own-trail-mix bar. Proceeds benefit the Downtown OKC Partnership. Information: DowntowninDecember.com.

"We have a costume contest and we give cash prizes to the top three winners. That's really the fun and festive aspect of this run that makes it special for the holidays," Hoyler said. "It's open to any abilities. You don't have to be training all year to do this. You can do the one-mile if you'd like to just work off some Thanksgiving food and all the holiday treats you've been having."

9. Factory Obscura's March of the Trees, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 21, The Womb. The OKC artist collective will celebrate the season at its first permanent attraction, "Mix-Tape at the Womb" with extended hours, warm drinks and live music. But the centerpiece of its winter solstice celebration will be its inaugural March of the Trees, where people are invited to dress as trees - holiday trees, giving trees, butterfly trees - and participate in an illuminated parade. Information: www.factoryobscura.com.

"Factory Obscura has been an incredible asset to Automobile Alley," Dodson said. "And they do know how to throw a party."

10. Free Holiday Water Taxi Rides, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through Dec. 29, Bricktown Canal. The rides begin cruising the canal this Saturday. Information: 234-8294.

"That's a holiday favorite," Dodson said. "They do a good job of giving a fun, holiday-theme tour - it's about 30 minutes long - of the canal and you get to see all the decorations throughout Bricktown and then to have dinner and stroll along the canal is always fun to do, too."

11. A Dog Day in December, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5, Midtown Mutts Dog Park. Benefiting the Midtown Association, the event will include pet photos with Santa, free puppuccinos, goody bags, food trucks and more. Information: midtownokc.com.

"It's a really fun evening for humans and also pets," Hoyler said.

12. "Polar Express" PJ & Pancake Party, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Dec. 14, and Sensory Santa Morning, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Dec. 15, Myriad Gardens. Downtown OKC's venerable green space is hosting an array of holiday events this season, including holiday decorating classes, curling lessons and winter morning outings. Information: myriadgardens.org.

"From the staff point of view, it's so magical for us," said Leslie Spears, the gardens' marketing director. "It's a lot of work to put on these events, but it's worth it."

-BAM

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