Williams Lodge at Gathering Place Transforms into a Must-Visit Holiday Destination
Celebrate Tulsa traditions with free photos with Santa, festive décor, and family-friendly holiday activities throughout the season
Gathering Place invites the Tulsa community to enjoy free, festive activities for all ages throughout the holiday season. Williams Lodge will be filled with dreamy holiday décor, creating a warm and inviting setting for family fun, live entertainment, and seasonal traditions. Visiting Williams Lodge has quickly become a Tulsa holiday tradition that is perfect for making memories, snapping photos, and sharing the magic with friends and family.
Santa
Families will have more opportunities than ever to take free photos with Santa in front of a dazzling Christmas tree. Photo sessions are available at the following times:
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Mondays from November 24 through December 15 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Saturdays and Sundays from November 29 through December 21 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Monday, December 22 from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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Tuesday, December 23 and Wednesday, December 24 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Extended hours
For the first time, Gathering Place will offer extended Monday hours from November 24 through December 22. On these select Mondays, Williams Lodge will remain open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to give families extra time to participate in evening activities and soak in the holiday ambiance.
Holiday Events
Additional holiday events will take place inside Williams Lodge, beginning with a country-themed Holiday Hoedown featuring Swing West on Tuesday, December 16. On Wednesday, December 17, Tulsa Ballet will present “A Night with the Nutcracker” with an interactive story time and live performances in full costume. Then, on Friday, December 19, guests can enjoy Candlelit Cozy Jazz with an evening of candlelight, holiday cheer, and smooth jazz from Bossa. All performances run from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gathering Place will celebrate the New Year with Global Gatherings: New Year’s Edition, a cultural celebration featuring a holiday market, live music and dance, games, activities, food samples, and more, on Saturday, December 27 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event is part of the Explore & Imagine program funded by the Public Service Company of Oklahoma Foundation.
Park Programs
Recurring park programs will also get a winter twist. On Saturday, November 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tiny Tulsa: An Accessible, Sensory-Inclusive Play Program, funded by the Public Service Company of Oklahoma Foundation, will wrap up for the season with a special holiday edition featuring themed play elements and tree ornament crafts.
On the first four Mondays of December at 3 p.m., families are invited to enjoy a winter story time led by Gathering Place team members and special guests. Each session will include an ornament-making craft that guests can hang on the Gathering Grove: Holiday Community Forest trees in Redbud Café.
Bark in the Park: Dog Play Social Hour presented by Ferguson Subaru will feature pet photos with Santa on Wednesday, December 3 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Giving Machines
Guests can also experience the spirit of giving through the Giving Machines, a unique reverse-vending machine that allows visitors to donate essential items to local and global charities. The Giving Machines will be available at Gathering Place from November 19 to December 8 during park hours and will support Food on the Move, BeHeard Movement, Soldier’s Wish, Owasso Community Resources, Kids’ Space of Muskogee, Agape Mission of Bartlesville, Lifting Hands International, and Special Olympics. For more information, visit givingmachinetulsa.org.
Holiday Decor
Holiday décor inside and around Williams Lodge sets a festive backdrop for all winter activities throughout the season, making a visit a must for anyone looking to experience the magic of the holidays in Tulsa. For an immersive holiday light experience, guests are invited to visit Glow on the Green at Guthrie Green from Friday, December 5 through the new year.
All winter events at Gathering Place are free and open to the public. For more details, visit gatheringplace.org/
