As Halloween has come and gone, spooky silhouettes make way for light-adorned trees and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season comes to our city. Take a look at some of the festive shopping, sights and shows Oklahoma City has to offer from now through the end of the year.
Deck the hauls
If you’re looking to cross off your holiday gift list or just get a festive shopping haul for yourself, stop by one of the many local offerings making an appearance across the metro. The Holiday Pop-Up Shops (okcpopups.com) are back again each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 29 to Dec. 22. Located in Midtown at the corner of NW 10th Street and N. Hudson Avenue, each weekend features an array of shops offering everything from handmade goods and art to vintage and boutique apparel.
Looking for something a bit more bespoke? Visit one of Factory Obscura’s Holiday Artist Markets Nov. 30 and Dec. 14. This market features unique, handmade and one-of-a-kind work; local artists set up shop just outside Factory Obscura’s doors at 25 NW Ninth St. (factoryobscura.com).
Don’t miss your chance to make holiday gifts as an artist in your own right every Saturday in December at Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Join one of the month’s come-and-go, drop-in art activities, which are the perfect opportunity to showcase creativity. Crafts include holiday card printmaking, Shrinky Dink ornaments and gift tags, holiday frames and marbled shaving cream prints. Activities are free with museum admission (okcmoa.com/holidays).
Merry and bright
Nothing quite captures holiday magic like the scenic light displays that dot the OKC landscape. An annual tradition, Lights on Broadway showcases historic Automobile Alley’s holiday charm with a district open house and stunning light displays. Kicking off Saturday, Nov. 30, and continuing Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, Lights on Broadway (downtownindecember.com) features live music, shopping and even appearances by Santa himself.
For something a little wilder, Oklahoma City Zoo is once again hosting its Safari Lights experience. Occurring 5:30-11 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1, the exhibition, located inside the zoo, offers both drive-thru and walk-thru paths complete with wildlife and holiday-themed light sculptures, interactive light displays, festive treats and more. Online reservations (okczoo.org) and tickets are required to participate in Safari Lights, with various pricing options available for individuals and groups.
Holiday lights aren’t just for the outdoors either. The 10th Annual Red Earth TreeFest (redearth.org), located in the BancFirst Tower Lobby at 100 N. Broadway Ave., features holiday trees representing Tribal Nations from across Oklahoma. This event is free and open to the public through Jan. 3. Participating tribes each decorate a tree to represent their diverse cultures with handmade ornaments, lights and more.
Let it show!
Dial up the cheer with a few local productions of some holiday classics. Beginning Dec. 14, Oklahoma City Ballet will kick off its season of The Nutcracker at Civic Center Music Hall (okcballet.org). Reimagined for this year, the production features all-new choreography, sets, props, costumes and even a few new characters. With shows Dec. 14-15 and Dec. 19-20, plus a sensory-friendly show Dec. 18, there are plenty of opportunities to catch this holiday spectacle.
More of a Scrooge? Lyric Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol (lyrictheatreokc.com) runs Nov. 23-Dec. 27 at Plaza Theatre, 1727 NW 16th St. Performing the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, a full cast brings Charles Dickens’ historic holiday masterpiece to life for the whole family.
Holiday Event Guide
Holiday Pop-Up Shops
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays
Nov. 29-Dec. 20
Midtown
399 NW 10th St.
okcpopups.com
Free
Holiday Artist Markets at Factory Obscura
3-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30 and
Saturday, Dec. 14
Factory Obscura’s Mix-Tape
25 NW Ninth St.
factoryobscura.com
Free
Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Saturdays in December
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays Dec. 7-28
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
415 Couch Drive
okcmoa.com/holidays
Free with museum admission and for OKCMOA members.
Lights on Broadway
4-7 p.m. Saturday Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14
Automobile Alley
N. Broadway Avenue
downtownindecember.com
Free
OKC Zoo Safari Lights
5:30-11 p.m. Nov. 9-Jan. 1
Oklahoma City Zoo
2000 Remington Place
okczoo.org
$14-$75
Red Earth TreeFest
10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays Nov. 15-Jan. 3
Red Earth Art Center
BancFirst Tower Lobby
100 N. Broadway Ave.
redearth.org
Free
The Nutcracker
Various times Dec. 14-15, Dec. 19-23
Civic Center Music Hall
201 N. Walker Ave.
okcballet.org
405-848-8637
$29-$128
Lyric Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Various times Nov. 23-Dec. 27
Lyric at the Plaza
1727 NW 16th St.
lyrictheatreokc.com
405-524-9312
$25-$78
This article appears in Queen of Oklahoma.