When you are wondering where to head for your winter vacation, StayInTulsaOK can lead you in our direction, especially as winter in Tulsa may look different than the winters you are used to in your hometown. It may snow, but probably not, and if it does, the snow won’t last, nor will it be that frequent, and the temperatures that do drop a little will rarely fall below 30 degrees, ensuring that any adventures you have remain comfortable ones. And because the best way to get to know the place you are visiting is by attending the special events they offer each year, we have prepared this guide to our favorite winter events in our favorite place on earth, our hometown of Tulsa.
December Shines Bright
As you may expect, Tulsa is a bright and lively place in the month of December, offering a variety of events and festivals guaranteed to enhance your holiday escape to our charming abodes and some of our favorites are listed below.
Nutcracker Festival, Early December, Tulsa Expo Center, 4145 E 21st Street
Billed as Oklahoma’s most exciting holiday festival, the month starts out strong with the Nutcracker Festival. This event is a new one, but we already love it and if you do nothing else holiday related during your December visit, THIS is the one you should attend. Offering holiday themed activities, live holiday presentations that include music and theatrical performances that are guaranteed to elevate your holiday spirit, it is also home to an exciting array of culinary delights. Featuring an ice skating rink, and indoor train, and a 30-foot LED Christmas tree, Santa will make an appearance with his reindeer and if you haven’t started your Christmas shopping, THIS will be where you finish, crossing every person off your list with a tour up and down the aisles of its holiday market. This event lasts two days, so if you miss one day, you have a second chance on Sunday.
Philbrook Festival Night, Weekends through the Middle of December, Philbrook Museum, 2727 S Rockford Road
Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving and continuing on weekends through the middle of December, attending Philbrook Festival Night is a longstanding tradition in Tulsa households. The Philbrook Museum was once just the Philbrook house, an Italian Renaissance style villa built in 1927. Today it offers a peek into the past and is also the center of many local events, with Festival Night being our favorite. The entire home and gardens are lit with a dazzling array of thousands of twinkle lights, prompting oohs and ahhs at first sight, and then when you discover all there is to do, you will never want to leave. Santa takes time from his busy schedule to appear and the museum becomes his workshop as your kids work to create a one of a kind art piece, helped along by museum elves. (Santa’s elves are rather busy right now!) Offering food, drinks, and another opportunity to shop as the shops of Philbrook will stay open throughout the event, this is another shouldn’t miss Tulsa event.
Winter on BLVD Music & Arts Festival, Mid-December, 3306 Charles Page Boulevard
Winter on BLVD Music & Arts Festival isn’t really a holiday event, but we assure you, you will enjoy it anyway. Offering a revolving show of electronic music performers, live art installations, and a variety of vendors selling their artistic masterpieces, you can cross more names off your list as you wander the aisles of vendors all offering something spectacular that you and your recipients simply won’t be able to live without. Obviously, there will be food and drink, our Southern mamas raised us right, and because it’s not a party without dancing, a silent disco is sure to be the highlight of the event!
New Year’s at Roof Sixty-Six Bar, December 31, 121 S Elgin Avenue
Christmas isn’t the only December holiday, and when it comes time to celebrate the last day of the year, a rooftop party held at Roof Sixty-Six bar promises to light up your night and lead you to a new year filled with good luck, fortune, and all the love you deserve. The views are stunning from the rooftop and the $5 cover charge ensures you can save your vacation funds for more drinks and snacks, this party is one we recommend all attend!
More Fun to Be Had in January
We admit, we ease down the drama a bit in January, spending this midwinter month trying to recuperate from the stress and chaos of Christmas, but there are still plenty of low key events to attend, including the ones we have listed below.
Hangover Ball, Early January, Cain’s Ballroom, 423 Main Street
Having begun its life in 1924 as a garage for one of our local oil baron’s automobiles, Cain’s Ballroom was purchased in 1930. Dance instructor Madison “Daddy” Cain purchased the space and its existence has been all about the music ever since. The Hangover Ball starts the new year out on the right foot, offering the opportunity to dance away any remaining aches from your New Year’s Eve hangover. 13 performers sing for their supper at this fun event and as you sing along, dance along, and forget about your headache, you will know that the 12 months ahead of you are bound to be fantastic ones!
Chili Bowl Nationals, Mid-January, Tulsa Raceway Park, Tulsa Expo Center
While most car races are held outside due to necessity, the Chili Bowl Nationals, an indoor midget car race shows that we Oklahomans are a little bit different, and we are perfectly ok with that description! Offering a week’s worth of exciting races, the floor of the Tulsa Expo Center is covered in dirt and the colorful midget cars show off their mad skills, racing round and round the dirt track that is only about 1/5th of a mile long, all hoping for victory. Nicknamed the Super Bowl of Midget Racing, the event started all the way back in 1987 with just 52 midget cars and in the 2020s, as many as 341 cars will do their thing for your amusement. Also offering a Trade Show that takes up to 20,000 square feet of non-dirt covered floors, visitors can purchase all varieties of race related paraphernalia, including apparel and race gear from over 100 vendors.
Tulsa Farmers Market, Saturdays, 8 AM – 12 PM, 1 S Market
The fully equipped kitchen of your StayInTulsaOK winter sanctuary lacks one thing: the food and drinks you will need to nourish yourself and keep hydrated. Fortunately, that is an easy thing to fix with a quick trip to the grocery store. Reasors is one we recommend, but you can also make a Saturday visit to the Tulsa Farmers Market. Winters aren’t cold enough for this outdoor market to shut its gates, but they do open an hour later to increase the time for the sun to do its thing. Buying our produce, flowers, and a variety of other foods and gifts has been a local tradition since the first farmers market opened in April of 1998, back when it was held in the parking lot of Jason’s Deli. Although some things have changed, including its location, many of its original vendors still set up shop in its new location. As with most farmers markets, there may be live music playing during your visit, special events occurring at various times throughout the year and even as Tulsa continues to grow in size and in importance, the feel of a small town, the closeness of neighbors who have become friends, remains strong.
Dotting our I’s with Hearts in February
February is the month of romance, with Valentine’s Day falling in the middle of the shortest month of the year, but there is more to be enjoyed than a romantic meal at Bodean (3376 E 51st Street) or a box of chocolates from Cricket & Fig Chocolate (5800 S Lewis Avenue #129). The events listed below are sure to enhance your Tulsa adventures.
Tulsa Anime Fest, Early February, 6110 S Yale Avenue
First there was Comic Con, followed by Pop Con, and here in Tulsa in February, the exciting and colorful Tulsa Anime Fest invites people from all over the world to celebrate their love of anime in Oklahoma. Offering special guests (often the actors that provide the voices for your favorite anime characters attend), cosplay contests, anime and Japanese culture vendors, cosplay contests, and even gaming championships, this event never fails to please. Also offering panels that discuss the anime world and trivia contests, every minute of this one day event is chock full of fun and color.
Tulsa OK Vintage Show, Mid-February, Exchange Center at Expo Square, 4145 E 21st Street
Shopping while on vacation is a time honored tradition that we know will never fade away and the Tulsa OK Vintage Show will give you the opportunity to fill up the empty spaces in your luggage. (Aren’t you glad there is a washer and dryer in your StayInTulsaOK escape, allowing you to pack light and save room for treasures?) Vintage shopping, however, is a trend that is growing in popularity, and this two-day event takes advantage of that fact while also offering some new merch for your perusal. Offering 55,000 acres of space in which over 150 vendors have taken over, setting up booths and tables that sell not just vintage clothing, but antiques, jewelry, collectibles, and all manner of fascinating wares that will demand to be chosen as your own. Also selling food and drink, you may find yourself returning for day two, as you simply won’t be able to explore everything offered in just one day!
Dark Mode Beer Fest, February, Archer Street in the Tulsa Arts District
Sometimes you just need a beer, and if one of those times takes place during your February visit to Tulsa, a visit to the Dark Mode Beer Fest will definitely satisfy your need! Our local hot spot, Welltown Brewing, is the host of this hoppy event, and as some of Oklahoma’s biggest breweries gather under the tent that will encompass this event, a good time is promised to be had by all. Live music performed by local bands will keep your toes tapping, food vendors will ensure that you don’t go too crazy, and firepits will keep you warm as you play a variety of games including cornhole and axe throwing. VIP tickets will include access to rooftop igloos for a fun addition to this event.
All Roads Lead Back to StayInTulsaOK
The fun you have during your winter visit to Oklahoma will linger in your hearts long after you return to real life, but while you’re here, our StayInTulsaOK seasonal sanctuaries will immediately feel like home. Warm your toes in front of roaring fires in our fireplaces, get off your feet and sink into plush sofas while watching your favorite shows on state of the art televisions. Offering a comfortable way to celebrate winter, we have a few suggestions for you listed below that will allow you to stay in and revel in all that our homes offer!
Stay in, stay safe, and stay cozy on New Year’s Eve, celebrating at home. Put on your comfiest jammies, pop a bottle or three, and dine on appetizers you bring out at different times throughout the night. At 11:30, turn the television over to Ryan Seacrest hosting Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve and watch the crystal ball drop in Time’s Square.
Celebrate your Valentine with a takeout dinner from Juniper Restaurant and turn off the television to celebrate the love you share. Maybe you can enjoy it picnic style on a blanket spread out in front of a fire and share a box of chocolates you purchased from Glacier Chocolates in Utica Square.
Contact us to reserve your favorite StayInTulsaOK winter retreat today!
Winter adventures hit harder when traveling, and when your journey brings you to our StayInTulsaOK winter wonders, you can expect a vacation filled with exciting adventures, cozy nights, and comfortable moments that will linger in your memories for years to come. And although the winters of Tulsa are relatively mild, rarely offering severe storms, it can and does snow, offering about 4 inches on average, adding another layer of fun to your winter adventures. This ultimate guide to winter in Tulsa OK will give you a sample 7-day Itinerary, providing tips and hints on how to fill your days to the fullest and relax in comfort and style every night.
Day 1: The Excitement Begins
You’ve been waiting so long for this day to arrive and it has finally happened. You are officially standing outside the door of the StayInTulsaOK seasonal sanctuary of your choice and with a turn of the handle, all the fun you have been dreaming about will begin. This first day will be a shorter one, because, obviously, you spent much of it in transit, but these opening moments of vacation will still bring you the joy you seek.
As airplane food is a thing from the past and short layovers may have kept you from grabbing an expensive bite at the airport, the first item on your agenda is more than likely one that involves a hearty meal, and because we firmly believe that pizza is the international language of love, on this first night we suggest keeping it casual with a visit to East Village’s Bohemian Pizzeria, located at 818 E 3rd Street and open until 10 PM. Offering reasonable prices and a beautiful menu filled with Neapolitan style pizzas, it also serves classic Italian pasta dishes and features an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail menu, so feel free to order that Paloma Picasso, you’re on vacation now and it is time to relax with good food and drink. You may want to stop by Reasors, a local grocery store that can be found in various locations all over Tulsa, on your way home and pick up a few things to stock your kitchen including some wine or beer. Tomorrow is going to be a big day and you will want to go bed early tonight!
Day 2: So Many Things to See and Do
Tulsa in the winter months is such a fun and exciting town, we really don’t now how to narrow down all the things you can see and do to just a few, but we will give it the old college try.
The Big Biscuit, 8920 S Memorial Drive, Open Daily from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and although you could make it at home with the supplies you bought last night, we know you are eager to get the adventures started and the hearty breakfasts served at the Big Biscuit will give you the energy you need for the day that lies ahead. Come back for lunch and explore their burgers and sandwiches, because honestly, this great diner is that good.
The Gathering Place, 2650 S John Williams Way, Open Daily from 7 AM to 9 PM
The Gathering Place is a park that is unlike any you have ever visited, and it offers a great way to dip your toes into the beginning moments of your winter vacation in Tulsa. Offering 66.5 acres of gardens, ponds, playgrounds, nature trails, and sports courts, as well as restaurants, boating, and so much more, you won’t be able to see everything in your first visit, but you sure will have fun trying.
Arvest Winterfest, Downtown Tulsa, BOK Center
Arvest Winterfest is an event that comes to town every November, keeping the lights on through the end of December. Offering an outdoor rink outside of the BOK Center, opportunities to meet Santa, multiple entertainment options, and the chance to hop on the Winterfest Express Train, destination North Pole. If you haven’t narrowed down your winter travel dates, we suggest December would be the perfect time! Also offering food and drink, this event will take up your entire evening, leaving you tired and ready to return home to your holiday hideaway.
Day 3: Exploring the Artistic Side of Tulsa
Maybe an unexpected snowstorm will make you happy to explore inside activities on this, the third day of your winter explorations of Tulsa, or maybe you just love art, but today, after a hearty breakfast cooked at home, we suggest you check out the beauty of the museums and galleries listed below.
Philbrook Museum of Art, 2727 S Rockford Road, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
The home of the Philbrook Museum of Art is a 1920s villa that once belonged to a local oil baron and today is a celebration of art, artists, and the wonder of nature as its expansive gardens are also worth visiting.
Lovetts Gallery, 6528 E 51st Street, Closed Sundays and Mondays
Lovetts is Tulsa’s oldest art gallery, having been in business for nearly 50 years, offering a wonderful selection of all genres of art from across the globe. This can be the vacation where you buy a serious piece of art, or it can be one where you pick up something lovely that fits nicely in your price range. Lovetts has items of all sizes, styles, and prices.
Dining in Style
Until today, you really haven’t experienced the best of Tulsa’s restaurants, but after a day of museum and art gallery exploration, you and your family should be ready for a really nice meal, The Hemingway, located at 1515 E 15th Street is where we recommend ending your day. This is the kind of restaurant we imagine the Rat Pack (Sinatra, Martin, Bishop) would have felt comfortable and at home. Believing that a meal should be an experience, this steakhouse affects all the senses and will be the source of your best Tulsa food memories.
Day 4: Wow, This Week Is Going by Fast!
You have officially reached the halfway point of your week in Tulsa, and we hope that every minute has been as fun and wonderful as you had hoped; if you are following this guide, we can pretty much ensure that you are ending each day more than ready to return home to our tranquil bedrooms, ready for a refreshing night’s sleep. But today is just starting, and we suggest you start it with breakfast out at D’Lite Scratch Kitchen, located at 45 N Sheridan Road and open daily at 6 AM. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday and breakfast and lunch on the weekends, D’Lite Scratch Kitchen is worth making return visits. Every item on their menu is locally sourced and created from scratch and we can promise you will taste the difference.
Woody Guthrie Center, 102 Reconciliation Way, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
At the halfway point of your winter getaway, we are taking you back to the museums, only these are the history museums, giving visitors a chance to understand all that makes our Oklahoma town what it is today, and the Woody Guthrie Center is the perfect spot to start. Offering a peek into folk songwriter and singer Woody Guthrie’s life, and even though Woody never lived in Tulsa, he was raised in one of Oklahoma’s more rural towns, this museum offers a comprehensive study into his life and his music.
Tulsa Historical Society and Museum, 2446 S Peoria Avenue, Closed Sundays and Mondays
Located inside another historical house that was once the home of another oil baron, the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum digs deep into the history of Tulsa, offering a clear look at the good, the bad, and the really ugly parts of our past. Its mission statement, “To Illuminate the Past, Enrich the Present, and Inspire Future Generations by Collecting, Preserving, and Presenting Tulsa’s History.” pretty much explains what to expect with a visit to this wonderful museum.
A Speakeasy to End Your Day
Bull in the Alley, 11 East Matthew Brady Street, offers a speakeasy experience that will serve as the ideal ending to a day spent exploring the past.
Day 5: Entertainment Matters
Today, as we begin the trailing end of your winter vacation in Tulsa, we are going to explore the entertaining side of Tulsa, but remember, these are just suggestions, and the places we suggest may be ones you can visit throughout your stay, not all in one day. Start out your day with donuts from Daylight Donuts, located at 2232 E 6th Street and enjoy a sweet beginning to your adventures.
Tulsa Performing Arts Center, 110 E 2nd Street
Featuring live performances of all kinds, we aren’t going to go into the individual shows, because they probably won’t be showing when you visit! Just know that this wonderful center has been celebrating the performing arts since 1977 when Ella Fitzgerald was one of the opening performers.
Tulsa Ballet Theater, 1212 E 45th Place
If your visit takes place over the winter holidays, the Tulsa Ballet Theater’s performance of the Nutcracker is destined to be your new favorite holiday tradition.
BOK Center, 200 S Denver Avenue
This sports and event venue is home to both of our Tulsa Oilers teams (hockey and football) and is where many basketball championships have been held, as well as being where many of the top musicians of the world perform, including Madonna, Ariana Grande, and Tulsa’s own, Garth Brooks.
Dinner at El Rio Verde, 38 N Trenton Avenue
The Southwest is known for its Mexican restaurants and when you want a taste of authentic Mexican delights, El Rio Verde (translated to the Green River) is destined to bring your tastebuds joy!
Day 6: Wait? This Is Your Last Full Day in Tulsa?
A return trip may be in your future, as an entire week is just not long enough to see all our town has to offer, but on this, your last full day, we are going to hit some of the more unique things that make Tulsa stand out in a crowd. Breakfast at Tally’s Good Food Café will offer a great start to your day and a chance to spend some time on historic Route 66. Located at 1102 S Yale Avenue, Tally’s is famous for its all day breakfasts, including their hearty Smart Bomb, made with hash browns with diced ham, bacon, sausage, onion, green peppers, jalapenos, mushrooms, tomatoes, & cheese. Topped with (2) eggs (any style) & served with toast.
Golden Driller Statue, Tulsa Expo Center
This 75-foot-tall chap, known as the Golden Driller Statue, celebrates the oil rich history of our state and has been standing tall in the same location since 1966.
The Center of the Universe, 1 S Boston Avenue
The mystery of the Center of the Universe, which is just a concrete circle that has a circumference of about 8 feet, may never be solved, but it is a fun space to visit. Described as an acoustic anomaly, noises made inside the center of the circle echo loudly but can’t be heard by those standing outside the circle.
Buck Atom, 1347 E 11th Street
The Golden Driller Statue isn’t the only big guy in town, although Buck Atom, the space cowboy honoring the legacy of the “muffler men,” is more fun-sized, standing only 21 feet tall.
Noche, 110 N Elgin Avenue, Reservations Necessary
For your last night in town, we encourage a visit to Noche, one of the hottest new restaurants on our culinary landscape. Offering an elevated selection of Chihuahuan and Northern Mexican dishes, this restaurant will serve as a wonderful farewell to the food of Tulsa.
Day 7: Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow
The last morning of vacation is always a melancholy time, but we hope to encourage you to return again when you have more time to stay. A breakfast at the Freeway Café (multiple locations throughout Tulsa) will ensure that your final memories will be fond ones. And as we say farewell to you, our treasured winter guests, we hope that your stay in our cozy and comfortable StayInTulsaOK seasonal sanctuaries has been one that fulfilled all your vacation dreams. Reserve your favorite Tulsa vacation rental today!