Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is a surefire magnet for tourism. The charming city is popular for its unique shops, festivals, and family-friendly events. As the largest suburb of Tulsa, it touts approximately 109,000 residents. Rose District is where most of the entertainment occurs in Broken Arrow. You and your family can enjoy the farmers market, boutiques, eateries, and historical museums.
Only an eight-minute drive from the Rose District is a gigantic Bass Pro Shop. It houses a laser rifle shooting gallery, 7,000-gallon trout steam with waterfalls, and two 14,000-gallon aquariums. Even with all these year-round interests, residents and visitors are most eager to view the Christmas light attractions during the holiday season. Read on to learn about our five favorite places in the Broken Arrow area where you can view Christmas lights in 2022.
Rhema Christmas Lights Extravaganza
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Who can resist seeing 3,000,000 Christmas lights? The
Rhema Lights display is a major annual event in Broken Arrow. Located at Rhema Bible Church, the extravaganza began in 1982 with roughly 60,000 lights. Now, 40 years later, the 110-acre campus showcases 50 times more illumination for 500,000 visitors. You and your loved ones will be awed by the shimmering bulbs synchronized to Christmas carols.
The fun extends beyond the traditional lights. Festive figures are fully lit, including a gingerbread family, angels, reindeer, and Noah's ark with animals. A nativity scene with 50 sparkling figures always wows the crowds. You won't be able to miss the Christmas tree forest with its 22-foot tree topped with a 5-foot star. Enjoy all the Rhema Lights' beauty by driving, walking, or on a paid horse-drawn carriage. The carriage rides are on a first-come-first-served basis.
Sightseers love taking photos next to the Rhema Park bridge, which features about 90,000 lights hung across it. Delightful concessions such as hot chocolate, sweet apple cider, popcorn, kettle corn, and funnel cakes are available. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.
Location: 1025 W. Kenosha St., Broken Arrow.
Hours: The lights turn on at 6 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2022, and then 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily from Nov. 24, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023. Rain, snow, or shine.
Botanic Garden of Lights
View a fabulous colorful light show and more at the
Garden of Lights in the Tulsa Botanic Garden. This spot is an evolving public garden that spans 170 acres about eight miles northwest of downtown Tulsa. It boasts thousands of plants, trees, grasses, and flowers all year long. The Christmas lights event encompasses all the garden's natural elements along with original artwork displayed throughout. It's an amazing sight to behold when the lights are reflected in the 7-acre lake and other bodies of water on the property.
Place a special wish on the Wishing Tree, capture smiles at the selfie photo booth, and make yummy s'mores over fire pits. Each night, you can grab food from a food truck while you listen to holiday music. Check the schedule for nights with pop-up crafts, train rides, live jazz, caroling, and more. Hot cider, cocoa, and coffee are available for purchase. Adult beverages like wine, cocktails, and beer are also for sale.
To gain admission, you must buy a timed-entry ticket. Tickets are available online for Tulsa Botanic Gardens members and non-members. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged due to limited capacity and the non-guarantee of tickets at the door. Admission is free for children aged two and under, but a ticket is still required. Date night packages, family night packages, and large group rates are available.
Location: 3900 Tulsa Botanic Dr., Tulsa.
Hours: 5-9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 25-Dec. 4, 2022, and daily Dec. 8-30, 2022. Closed Dec. 15, 24, 25, 2022.
Philbrook Festival
An annual holiday tradition in Tulsa is the
Philbrook Festival at the Philbrook Museum of Art. The event is a museum fundraiser that puts patrons in the holiday spirit. The festival is separated into two experiences. Festival Days provide various fun-filled activities, shopping, special exhibits, and a Lego Villa. Residents in the Tulsa area submit the Lego creations that you can vote for. A 15-foot Christmas tree typically adorns the front entrance. More trees, paintings, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind decor are featured throughout the galleries.
On Festival Nights, thousands of Christmas lights illuminate the museum from the front gate to the rear gardens. A light show set to music is always a hit with families. Santa shows up to take photos with visitors of all ages. Santa's Snack Shack offers s'mores, wood-fired pizza, hot cocoa, and more. Local artists provide live music. The on-site restaurant, Kitchen 27, offers bar service on its patio.
Timed-entry tickets for Philbrook Museum of Art members and non-members must be purchased in advance. Please check the schedule for select nights and times.
Location: 2727 S. Rockford Road, Tulsa.
Hours: Festival Days will be held Nov. 25-Dec. 31, 2022, and Festival Nights will be held Nov. 25-Dec. 24, 2022.
Lights On at Utica Square
This year marks the 55th celebration of
Lights On at Utica Square in midtown Tulsa. The annual Thanksgiving Day ceremony is a one-day occasion to kick off the holiday season. Check out 700,000 lights, live music, shopping, and more. Julie Chin, Emmy-winning anchor from KJRH, will host the festivities. Join in lively Christmas carols played by local artists, snap photos of the shimmering garden, and a visit with Santa Claus.
Location: 1709 Utica Square, Tulsa.
Hours: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24, 2022
Creepy Christmas Lights Tour
How about a different type of Christmas lights viewing experience? Tulsa Spirit Tours hosts a
Creepy Christmas Lights Tour for people who enjoy spooky stories, folklore, and legends. Prepare to take a ride listening to creepy Christmas music while viewing gleaming bulbs of festivity. It's Christmas like you've never seen or heard of before. Advance online tickets are required.
Location: Instructions are given with the e-ticket upon purchase.
Hours: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9-10, 14-17, 20-23, 2022 and 8:15 p.m. by demand.
So, what do you think about our five favorite places to see Christmas lights this year?
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