TULSA, Okla. –
Tulsa Botanic Garden is once again transforming its grounds into a glowing holiday destination as the annual Garden of Lights returns with hundreds of thousands of colorful displays, live music, family activities and special guests throughout December.
The nighttime event runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on select nights through Dec. 28. The garden will be open Dec. 3 through Dec. 7, Dec. 10 through Dec. 14 and nightly from Dec. 17 through Dec. 28. The garden will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.
A garden transformed after dark
During the day, the garden may appear quiet, but once night falls, it comes alive with light displays spread across five developed garden areas.
“It’s beautiful with over half a million lights that we have out here,” said Chuck Lamson with Tulsa Botanic Garden.
Guests can stroll through the gardens and see lotus blossoms glowing on the water, shooting star lights overhead, twinkling light curtains, tunnels of light and illuminated trees throughout the grounds. Organizers say expanded light displays and enhanced tree uplighting are new this year, along with a Gingerbread House photo stop.
“While there’s a lot of great Christmas shows in the Tulsa area, we think ours is right up there with them as one of the great Tulsa attractions during the holidays,” Lamson said.
Activities for all ages
Beyond the lights, the Garden of Lights offers interactive attractions designed for families and children.
One popular feature is the snowball pit, which includes soft snowballs and playful obstacles.
“So we have the snowball pit right here where, you know, they’re not real snowballs, so nobody gets hurt, but they’re a little fuzzy and the kids love it and they hide behind stuff and they can enter through the gingerbread house,” Lamson said.
Festive photo stops are located throughout the garden, giving families multiple chances to capture holiday memories.
Music, characters and special guests
Santa and his sleigh will be visiting every night of lights through Dec. 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for last-minute holiday wishes and photo opportunities.
Winter characters will greet guests and pose for photos from 6 to 8 p.m. on select nights. Appearances include Elsa and Anna on Dec. 18, a Snow Globe Ballerina on Dec. 26, Cindy Lou and the Grinch on Dec. 27 and Buzz Lightyear and Woody on Dec. 28.
Live music is also part of the experience. Sunday Jazz Nights run weekly inside the Mabee Grange from 6 to 8 p.m. Performers include Neon Giraffe Parade on Dec. 7, The Mood Lights on Dec. 14, the Nick Mancini Trio on Dec. 21 and The Charlie Redd Trio on Dec. 28.
Food, drinks and warming stations
Guests can warm up throughout the evening with hot cocoa or spiced cider, or purchase beer and wine during the event. S’mores kits will also be available for roasting over fire pits. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.
Tickets and what to know before you go
Advance timed entry tickets are strongly recommended, as popular dates and times often sell out.
Tickets cost $22 for ages 16 and older and $10 for ages 3 through 15. Children 2 and under require a free ticket. Tulsa Botanic Garden members receive a discount of $2 to $5 per ticket, and group rates are available for groups of 20 or more.
Discounted tickets are available at the door for families with a valid SNAP or WIC EBT card or an Oklahoma Foster Parent Benefits Card with photo identification.
The garden will be closed for daytime admission during the Garden of Lights event period.
Creating holiday traditions
Garden staff say the event is about more than lights, focusing on creating meaningful experiences that families can return to year after year.
“I think it’s important because, you know, people think about family traditions during the holidays, they like to create those memories, and hopefully if it’s a good memory, then they’ll come back out year after year, which is what we’re hoping for,” Lamson said.
More information about the Garden of Lights at the Tulsa Botanic Garden can be found here.
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