Holiday festivities highly anticipated in OKC

The holiday season is in full swing in Oklahoma City with a calendar packed full of festive events, entertainment and more. The 21st annual Downtown in December brings holiday happenings for people of all ages to enjoy through Jan. 29.

Looking for some action this season? Sign up for the Saints Santa Run 5k on Dec. 3. The Winterfest at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark features the thrills of tubing down a snow slope, open through Jan. 1. Riversport’s Winter Glow is offering ice skating, curling and a variety of covered, holiday-themed climbing adventures through Dec. 30.

The Christmas season isn’t complete without twinkling lights and elaborate displays of luminous colors. The Lights on Broadway in historic Automobile Alley uses over 600,000 LED bulbs to adorn the buildings. On Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, retail stores, restaurants and festive activities will create one big holiday block party. Scissortail Park’s Union Station Illumination and Holiday Lights immerses guests in a winter wonderland nightly with a path through the lights complete with a 40-foot tree and giant menorah.

Along with the Union Station lights, Scissortail Park is home to the ‘Tis the Season Market on Dec. 3, where guests can shop local businesses in the park while enjoying live music and performances. There’s no shortage of shopping with local merchants and producers at the Midtown Holiday Pop-Ups. Local vendors rotate each week through Dec. 18 with holiday shops lining NW 10th Street. From sweet treats and drinks to apparel and wrapping stations, find all your local holiday gifts here.

Get the whole family in the holiday spirit with ballets, musicals, and shows! Tickets sell out early for the traditional production of The Nutcracker performed by the Oklahoma City Ballet at the Civic Center Music Hall. Travel back in time with Ebenezer Scrooge and walk along the Dickens streets in Lyric Theatre’s outdoor production of A Christmas Carol through Dec. 23.

Whatever your favorite holiday tradition, find it in OKC and make your season more festive while you support our local merchants, artists and creators. Find these events and more at www.downtownindecember.com. Downtown in December is presented by Devon and produced in part by Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership with support from Devon Energy, the Downtown Business Improvement District along with other sponsors and partners.

Kenton Tsoodle is president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.