10 Tulsa Safely Holiday Happenings You Don’t Want to Miss!

The holiday season this year promises to be different than ever before, but it does not mean that there isn’t a wealth of safe, festive cheer to be found all around Tulsa. Read on to learn about 10 Tulsa Safely holiday happenings (and maybe even some Santa sightings) this winter.

Reindeer Meet & Greet Presented by T-Mobile at the Tulsa Zoo

You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, but have you ever met them live and in-person at the Tulsa Zoo? You won’t want to miss this event complete with Santa and his reindeer, holiday themed snacks and drinks, a holiday photo booth and even a story time to put you in the holiday spirit! The event is included in the cost of admission to the Tulsa Zoo and will take place near the H.A. Chapman Event Lodge.

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra presents “A Hometown Holiday” TV Special

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra and Griffins Communications have partnered to bring the festive & endearing tunes of the holidays right into your home! Tulsa Symphony Orchestra’s “A Hometown Holiday” TV special will feature renowned soprano Sarah Coburn and her daughter Ruby, News On 6’s beloved LeAnne Taylor, and other special guests (including those with an appetite for cookies and milk) performing a variety of holiday favorites like Sleigh Ride, O’Holy Night, Snowflake, Hanukkah Overture, and more. You simply can’t miss this exciting, commercial-free special airing on December 19th.

Join the Tulsa Ballet for “The Lost Nutcracker” at Cox Business Convention Center

The beloved “Nutcracker” has enchanted audiences on the holidays for over a century, but with social distancing guidelines in place, the nutcracker himself will take social distancing to a whole new level in the Tulsa Ballet’s upcoming, never-before-seen production of “The Lost Nutcracker”. This unique production will feature three pieces in one evening from Dark Circle Artistic Director Joshua l. Peugh, Tulsa Ballet Resident Choreographer Ma Cong, and famed Italian choreographer Luciano Cannito, all of which will take place in the brand new Grand Hall of the Cox Business Convention Center!

Meet Diver Santa at the Oklahoma Aquarium

Does Santa sometimes have to be pulled by fish instead of reindeer? Does he have a summer condo in the Bahamas where he’s developed an affinity for deep-sea diving? All that really matters is you can see Santa in scuba gear this year as the North Pole native swims with his fish friends in the Oklahoma Aquarium’s Polynesian Reef exhibit! The event will be included with admission to the aquarium.

Safely Experience the Outdoor Tulsa Botanic Garden of Lights this Holiday Season

With hot cocoa and spiced cider (including spiked options for the adults), food trucks, a hay maze, fire pits, live piano and train rides on select days, and of course, the Garden of Lights, there will be no shortage of festive cheer at the Tulsa Botanic Garden throughout the holiday season. There will be no ticket sales at the door, so be sure to buy your advanced tickets today to get in on all the fun!

Enjoy Thousands of Holiday Lights, Music & Fun at Philbrook Festival Nights

Philbrook Museum’s Festival Nights have always been a hit, and that isn’t going to change this year as the museum has re-imagined Festival Nights to be a fully outdoor experience hosted in the villa’s breathtaking gardens. Along with the lights, music and fun, guests will get to make a take-home art project inspired by geometric glittering jewels and warm gold, perfect for hanging on a window, tree or even the front porch. There’s even been talk of the Big Man making an appearance! This is an event you won’t want to miss. Advance tickets are required.

Ice Skate & Celebrate at Arvest Winterfest Downtown at the BOK Center

The 13th annual Winterfest is returning to Tulsa for 35 days of the holiday season! This year, the event will include ice skating inside the BOK Center (with timed entry and expanded square footage of skating space to ensure social distancing), Oklahoma’s tallest outdoor Christmas tree, rides in a horse-drawn carriage, live entertainment, beautiful holiday light displays, and much more! You can find out more about all of the festivities on the Tulsa Winterfest website.

Behold the Glow on the Green Holiday Lights at Guthrie Green

A long-time Tulsa favorite, Glow on the Green is sure to heighten your spirits any day you visit the Guthrie Green in downtown Tulsa. Take part in this free tradition throughout the month of December!

Drive-Thru Winter Wonderland at Gathering Place presented by American Airlines

Starting December 18th, twinkling lights will illuminate and transform the QuikTrip Great Lawn and the ONEOK Boathouse into a Winter Wonderland at Gathering Place that you can enjoy from the comfort of your car! You’ll find intrigue at every turn, as you’ll get to see Santa’s Workshop, shop from local vendors at the holiday market, hear musical performances and live carolers, and even drop off your letter to Santa at the special North Pole mailbox located outside Williams Lodge. Visit the Gathering Place website to find out more about how you can be ♫ driving through a winter wonderland ♫ in December and early 2021!

Eat, Sip and Shop Everything Local Under the Lights at Mother Road Market’s Neon Holidays

There’s only one place in town where you can take all the Christmas photos imaginable for the ‘gram while you eat, sip, and shop local under Route 66-themed lights for the better part of two months. Be sure to stop into the Mother Road Market for their Neon Holidays taking place in December and January!