Downtown Days of Wonder Returns for 2023

Last week, I got to attend a press even for Downtown Days of Wonder, a centralized source for all of downtown Tulsa’s holiday event information. We heard from Downtown Tulsa Partnership, who manages the site, as well as Tulsa PAC, Tulsa Christmas Parade and others. And let me tell you, there are a LOT of holiday happenings in downtown Tulsa this year! Here are some highlights:

From Downtown Tulsa Partnership

Downtown Tulsa Partnership is pulling out all the stops this holiday season. New for 2023, downtown visitors can hop aboard the Jingle Bus beginning Nov. 24. This highly decorated, free shuttle makes six stops throughout downtown Tulsa, helping you get where you want to go in style! It will be available Thursdays and Fridays, 5-10 p.m., Saturdays, 12-10 p.m. and Sundays, 12-5 p.m.

The AR Holiday Tree, which debuted last year, is moving to Chapman Green. I’m so glad to see more things beginning to happen at Chapman Green again!

The holiday pop-up shops will return as well, and will be open by Dec. 1. This year’s vendors are still being finalized. Plus, for every $25 you spend at participating downtown retailers, you will be entered to win a prize pack full of downtown-centric goods.

Learn more about all of this at downtowndaysofwonder.com.

At the Tulsa PAC

As always, the Tulsa PAC has some excellent festive shows! These include perennial favorites like “The Nutcracker” by Tulsa Ballet and “A Christmas Carol” by American Theatre Company, which has been in production for over 46 years.

And you can kick off the holiday season at “Beetlejuice,” presented by Celebrity Attractions and opening Nov. 21. Why not see Beetlejuice on Thanksgiving week? Sounds like a good time to me!

Plus, you won’t want to miss “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on Dec. 1 with Tulsa Symphony providing the soundtrack. (Jim Carey version.)

Get tickets to these performances and more at tulsapac.com.

Arvest Winterfest and More

Arvest Winterfest returns to the BOK Center Nov. 24-Jan. 2. In addition to ice skating, the Winterfest Express train will run every Saturday, and you can get your picturess taken with Santa – for free – on Sundays till Christmas. Get some Christmas shopping done on Saturdays during Winterfest’s Holiday Markets, and bring canned food or a warm clothing donation for half-price skating admission on Mondays and Wednesdays, respectively.

Additional details available at tulsawinterfest.com.

The representative from BOK Center/Cox Business Center also wanted to remind people that the Oilers hockey season has kicked off. Also, there are a lot of exciting shows coming up at BOK Center as well.

Head to Guthrie Green

Next up, we learned about what to expect from Guthrie Green this season! Their new restaurant, En Fuego, is expected to open by Dec. 1. December 1 is also notable because it is the date of this years’ Glow on the Green event (6-9 p.m.). Travis Meyer will count down to turning the lights on, and the First Friday Art Crawl is happening as well.

ALL NEW for 2023: QuikTrip is partnering with Guthrie Green to host Jolly Town, a walk-through winter wonderland. Details are being finalized, but one thing mentioned was that there will be a life-size snow globe photo opp.

Holidays in the Historic Greenwood District

Songwriter and musician Tony Mason has envisioned and organized another new event, Shine on Greenwood. Shine on Greenwood is a holiday concert and lighting ceremony taking place Nov. 25 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Greenwood District. Val Harding, who competed on “The Voice,” is the special musical guest, and there will be a toy give-away for those “in need of a little Holiday Support.” Learn more at shineongreenwood.org, and make plans to attend this inaugural event!

I needed another ice scraper! Yes!

Tulsa Christmas Parade

If you’re a fan of Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake – or any other of Muriel Fahrion’s characters – you won’t want to miss the 2023 Tulsa Christmas Parade! Muriel Fahrion, “Mother of Strawberry Shortcake” herself, is the parade Grand Marshal. And on top of that, they are creating a float that will be populated by some of her beloved characters. This year’s theme is “Have a Holly Berry Christmas,” named after one of her characters.

Watch the Tulsa Christmas Parade on Dec. 9, 11 a.m. tulsachristmasparade.org

Iglootown at Welltown Brewing

The final holiday event host we heard from was Welltown Brewing. Welltown originated their popular “Iglootown” in the winter of 2020 as a response to the pandemic. Four years later, they’re still a popular destination. The owner of Welltown said he thinks of Iglootown as being like the blanket forts you make as a kid. So it’s all about holiday nostalgia and “propagating memories.”

Igloos are $60 for two hours and seat up to 8 people. Reserve your spot today at welltownbrewing.com/iglootown

And you know what? There’s more going on downtown this season than what I’ve covered here. So go to downtowndaysofwonder.com for updates, and of course we include a lot of this information in our Holiday Family Fun Guide, tulsakids.com/holiday-family-fun-in-tulsa/