Background:
Oklahoma City's Downtown in December began in 2002 as Bricktown and the rest of the downtown area blossomed. Under the operation of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., funded by the business improvement group of downtown businesses, Downtown in December has grown exponentially as well. The early years had modest budgets, and 2005 saw one of over $1 million. The event has only continued to grow in popularity and scope.
See some holiday pictures from the Bricktown Canal and Automobile Alley during Downtown in December.
See some holiday pictures from the Bricktown Canal and Automobile Alley during Downtown in December.
2012:
2012's Downtown in December will last from November 17th to January 5th, 2013. The event will feature such exciting festivities as outdoor ice skating, water taxis along the Bricktown Canal, snow tubing rides, plenty of great shopping and food as well as beautiful lighting and decorative displays. See dates/times for specific activities below.
Events and Festivities:
Christmas Tree and Lighting Ceremony - The highlight of the event may be the 32 foot tall Christmas tree resting right in Bricktown. A ceremony will be held on November 23rd from 6 to 8 p.m. to light the tree with thousands of multi-colored lights. Admission is free, and there will be live entertainment, choral singing and more.
Devon Outdoor Ice Rink - Beginning November 17th at the Myriad Gardens, visitors can ice skate outside from 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. The cost is $10 on the 62 by 150 foot rink. It's only $7 if you supply your own skates, and the rink is also available for private parties. Call (405) 297-3423.
Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick - Fresh snow blows down two slides, a large one and a children's slide, and visitors cruise down on inflatable tubes. With sessions starting every two hours from noon to 10 p.m., the tubing is open Saturdays & Sundays beginning November 24th and every day (except Christmas Day) from December 20th through January 5th. Admission is $10 for an hour and a half session.
Devon Outdoor Ice Rink - Beginning November 17th at the Myriad Gardens, visitors can ice skate outside from 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 3 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. The cost is $10 on the 62 by 150 foot rink. It's only $7 if you supply your own skates, and the rink is also available for private parties. Call (405) 297-3423.
Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick - Fresh snow blows down two slides, a large one and a children's slide, and visitors cruise down on inflatable tubes. With sessions starting every two hours from noon to 10 p.m., the tubing is open Saturdays & Sundays beginning November 24th and every day (except Christmas Day) from December 20th through January 5th. Admission is $10 for an hour and a half session.
Santa’s Adventures on the Oklahoma River - From November 23rd through January 5th (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday), visit the Oklahoma River for a new attraction in 2012 that includes a 200-foot zip line, an extreme air jumper, a rock wall climb, and four inflatable bounce houses. Also, kids ages 3 to 9 can paddle in the reflecting pool at the Chesapeake Boathouse. Cost is $10 per person for a one-time zip line ride with unlimited attractions or $20 for a day pass that includes unlimited zip line rides and attractions.
Holiday Light Displays - From the Myriad Gardens lights around the skating rink to the lights along the canal and in Automobile Alley, there may not be a better collection of holiday lighting in the state. Displays will be lit beginning November 23rd.
Winter Market - The Myriad Gardens will host a Winter Market December 7-9 featuring live music, hot cocoa and over 40 vendors with crafts, art, jams and other local and handmade goods.
Holiday Light Displays - From the Myriad Gardens lights around the skating rink to the lights along the canal and in Automobile Alley, there may not be a better collection of holiday lighting in the state. Displays will be lit beginning November 23rd.
Winter Market - The Myriad Gardens will host a Winter Market December 7-9 featuring live music, hot cocoa and over 40 vendors with crafts, art, jams and other local and handmade goods.
SandRidge Santa Run - On Saturday, December 8th, take the opportunity to run or walk in a 5k race, a one mile fun run or a children's dash. The 5k starts at 9 a.m., the kid's race at 9:30 a.m. and the fun run at 10. The children's run is free, and registration for the fun run is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. Advanced registration for the 5k run is $30. Get the registration form online or by calling (405) 235-3500.
Devon's Saturdays with Santa - From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays (11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22), Santa brings his sleigh to the Devon Energy Center. Kids can sit on Santa's lap, take pictures, write letters to him, hear stories from Mrs. Claus and maybe even meet the live reindeer.
Devon's Saturdays with Santa - From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays (11/24, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22), Santa brings his sleigh to the Devon Energy Center. Kids can sit on Santa's lap, take pictures, write letters to him, hear stories from Mrs. Claus and maybe even meet the live reindeer.
Free Fun:
In addition to all the great activities above, Downtown in December gives you an opportunity to enjoy several area attractions at no charge:
Water Taxi Rides - Take an evening ride along the Bricktown Canal surrounded by the lights of the holidays. Do so for free from 6-9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through December 31st.
Free Crystal Bridge Sundays - From November 25th through December 23rd, get free cocoa as you enjoy the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at no charge.
Free Movie Mondays - Continental Resources is sponsoring a series of free holiday movie screenings each Monday at 7 p.m. at Harkins Bricktown Theatre. To attend, you must register online. 2012 schedule is: 12/3 - Arthur Christmas, 12/10 - White Christmas, 12/17 - It’s a Wonderful Life, 12/24 - Miracle on 34th Street, 12/31 - Home Alone.
Free Museum Sundays - For three Sundays during Downtown in December, enjoy a free visit to an area museum. For 2012, the schedule is: 12/2 - OKC Museum of Art, 12/9 – American Banjo Museum, 12/9 – Red Earth Museum & Gallery, 12/16 - Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.
Water Taxi Rides - Take an evening ride along the Bricktown Canal surrounded by the lights of the holidays. Do so for free from 6-9:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through December 31st.
Free Crystal Bridge Sundays - From November 25th through December 23rd, get free cocoa as you enjoy the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at no charge.
Free Movie Mondays - Continental Resources is sponsoring a series of free holiday movie screenings each Monday at 7 p.m. at Harkins Bricktown Theatre. To attend, you must register online. 2012 schedule is: 12/3 - Arthur Christmas, 12/10 - White Christmas, 12/17 - It’s a Wonderful Life, 12/24 - Miracle on 34th Street, 12/31 - Home Alone.
Free Museum Sundays - For three Sundays during Downtown in December, enjoy a free visit to an area museum. For 2012, the schedule is: 12/2 - OKC Museum of Art, 12/9 – American Banjo Museum, 12/9 – Red Earth Museum & Gallery, 12/16 - Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum.
Corporate Sponsors:
Downtown in December has been sponsored by a number of Oklahoma corporations, making much of the festivities free at certain times for visitors. Sponsors include The Oklahoma City Community Foundation, The Oklahoman, SandRidge, Chesapeake Energy Corp., Sonic, Devon, OG&E, OneMain Financial and many more.
Nearby Hotels and Lodging:
Coming from out of town for the tree lighting ceremony or other Downtown in December events? Here are some convenient hotels:
- Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel
One N Broadway Ave.
Less than 1 mile from the Bricktown
Check Rates
- Renaissance Oklahoma City Hotel
10 N Broadway Ave.
Less than 1 mile from the Bricktown
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- Courtyard by Marriott
2 West Reno Ave.
Less than 1 mile from the Bricktown
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- The Skirvin Hilton
1 Park Ave.
Less than 1 mile from the Bricktown
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- Quality Inn Trade Winds
1800 E Reno Ave.
Approximately 2 miles from the Bricktown
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