Celebration Transforms Downtown Tulsa Into Winter Wonderland

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Downtown Tulsa has been transformed into a winter wonderland for the month of December. 

The BOK Center's 2nd Annual Arvest Winterfest celebration features a giant outdoor skating rink and homemade winter snacks.

"It's the fact that it's outside, and it's Christmas time, and it's fun. It's fun, that's the most important part," said Jodie Jackson, a Tulsa mom.

This year at Winterfest the tree is bigger. At 44-feet tall, event organizers claim it's the biggest Christmas tree in Oklahoma.

"It really is an all age's event," said Jeff Nickler, event manager.

The biggest change at Winterfest this year is the rink. It's twice as big as it was last year.

"But tonight, we're real busy. We've had like 400 people in our first two hours, so we needed the bigger rink," said Jeff Nickler.

Event organizers hope the bigger rink translates into bigger crowds. They expect 100,000 people to check it out.

Winterfest will be open every day through January 4th. If you don't want to ice skate, there's still plenty to do. You can get winter concessions like s'mores or graham crackers and hot cocoa. And there are horse carriage rides going throughout downtown.

More information on the 2nd Annual Arvest Winterfest celebration