Things to do in OKC during Christmas-time

Possible activities in OKC this winter include free water taxi rides along the Bricktown canal during certain times. (Photo by Paul L. McCord Jr. used under Creative Commons license)

By Ashleigh Buchanan, Staff reporter

There is always a lot to do in Oklahoma City during the Christmas Season. Everyone puts extra effort into decorating their homes or businesses, and a lot of places have special events going on during this time of year.

Here are some ways to make the Christmas season even more eventful:

Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Botanical Gardens

Ice skating is a classic Christmas activity. Is there anything more fun than putting on scarves, gloves and a hat and going ice skating in the middle of downtown where you can see the all the beautiful Christmas decorations in the Myriad Gardens? This activity is fun for a big group of friends. Whether you’re an experienced ice skater, or you look like Bambi trying to walk for the first time, it’s a fun winter adventure.

Rates: $10 per person for all ages (includes skates). $7 for guests who bring their own skates.

Hours of Operation:

Nov. 23 – Feb. 3

Monday & Tuesday : 3 – 8 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday: 3 – 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Chesapeake Snow Tubing

Most of the year the only sliding that takes place here are Redhawks players sliding into home plate, but you can take a turn doing the sliding during the Christmas season. $10 gets you an hour-and-a-half session of snow tubing fun down at the Bricktown Ballpark.

Free Water Taxi Rides

The best things in life are free, including Water Taxi rides in the Bricktown Canal. Guests can board the boats on Mickey Mantle Drive across from the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, just west of the third-base entrance.

Thursdays through Sundays, December 1 – Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

SandRidge Santa Run

What better way to work off all of those Christmas Calories than by participating in a Christmas themed 5K! Run through the streets of downtown OKC as a part of the SandRidge Santa Run on Saturday, December 8th. The Santa Run includes a 5K race, a one-mile Fun Run and a free Santa Claus Kid’s Dash, plus a warm-up with Rumble the Bison and the Thunder Girls. This year, proceeds raised by the SandRidge Santa Run will benefit The Mentoring Project (http://okc.thementoringproject.org/).

All runs begin and end at Leadership Square (211 N Robinson)

9 a.m. – 5K Run
9:30 a.m. – 1 Mile Fun Run
10 a.m. – Kids Dash

Cost: $40

Go to http://www.downtownindecember.com/SandRidgeSantaRun.aspx for more info on registering!

The “there’s nothing to do tonight” line is officially invalid; go out and experience Christmastime in the great town of Oklahoma City.