Holiday Happenings on Grand Lake Highlighted by Parades, Parties and Santa Claus
The holidays have arrived on Grand Lake and everyone is celebrating. From Christmas parades and parties to holiday home tours and movies, there is something for everyone to do this season.
The festive holiday fun gets started Thanksgiving evening with Pine Lodge Resort’s Winter Wonderland Christmas Light Tour.
Every evening from 5 to 10 p.m. from Thanksgiving night through New Year’s Day, Pine Lodge Resort will display more than 400,000 lights and twinkling displays across its grounds. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the free drive-through tour of this spectacular old-fashioned Christmas light display.
Pine Lodge Resort is located at 33635 Dock Road, 2 1/2 miles east of Ketchum, off Highway 85, next to Arrowhead South Marina on Duck Creek. For more information, call (918) 782-1400.
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The 2017 Park of Lights of Grand Lake State Park - Twin Bridges will open November 23 and run through December 30. From 6 to 9 p.m. each night, the park will be transformed into an evening wonderland with bright lights and themed displays.
Hosted by Twin Bridges State Park and Twin Bridges Park Partners, the Park of Lights event is one of the largest displays of twinkling Christmas lights in the area.
The dazzling drive-through experience features displays provided by businesses, churches, social groups, civic organizations and individuals.
Santa Claus will be visiting the park on December 9 and 16. Children are also invited to place their letters to Santa in his mailbox at the entrance to the park.
Also on Saturday, Dec. 9, the park will be celebrating its 80th birthday with a party. Cupcakes will be available for the first 144 people attending.
The Park of Lights of Grand Lake State Park - Twin Bridges is a free event. Donations will be accepted at the park’s exit.
The park is located at 14801 South Highway 137, Fairland. For more information, call (918) 542-6969.
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The Grove Community Playmakers will present “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some),” a fun, fast-paced comedy that is a mishmash of beloved holiday classics and perfect for every member of the family.
The play opens with a special family matinee at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Tickets for children, ages 5-12, will be reduced to $6.50 for this performance only when accompanied by at least one adult.
The production continues at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, and at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and 8. There will also be Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 10,.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, elementary through college. There are no paper tickets for productions. Call (918) 786-8950 and leave a message. A box office volunteer will confirm your reservations. You can also email groveplaymakers@yahoo.com or reserve online at www.groveplaymakers.com.
The Playmakers theater is located at 121 West 3rd St., in Grove.
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The Jay Chamber of Commerce will host the Jay Christmas Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, on the Courthouse Square in Jay.
The event will include singing, a visit from Santa Claus, hot food, cookies and hot chocolate.
The lighting of the courthouse lights will take place between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call (918) 253-8698.
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Miami Little Theatre will present the Charles Dickens holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” live at the Coleman Theatre November 30 and December 1 at 7:30 p.m. and December 2 and 3 at 2:30 p.m.
Starring Randy Billings as Scrooge, the play tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man who transforms his miserly ways after four ghostly visits one Christmas Eve.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior citizens, students and children. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the Coleman Theatre box office (918) 540-2425.
The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 North Main St., in Miami.
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The South Grand Lake Lions Club and the Langley First Christian Church are hosting the first annual Pancakes with Santa event from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
The event will be held at the First Christian Church in Langley, which is located at 220 West Cherokee, next to the Langley City Park.
The breakfast includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, FFA Blue & Gold sausage and coffee, orange juice or milk for $5. Children three and under eat free.
Santa Claus will be on hand to hand out candy canes and hear Christmas wishes from children of all ages. Free pictures with Santa will also be available. Everyone is invited to bring their family, friends, kids and fur babies to meet Santa.
There will also be drawings for prizes for children throughout the morning.
All proceeds of this event will be used to purchase Christmas food baskets for area residents in need.
For more information, call Virginia Gibson at (918) 645-5641.
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On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Elk River Antique Mall will be hosting a Christmas Shopping Frenzy. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the mall will be offering sales, ranging from 10 to 75 percent off. There will be sales all over the store.
A treasure-filled trove, the Elk River Antique Mall combines the best of a flea market, antique mall, resale shop and scrapbook store with its 54 booths offering a little bit of everything.
The day’s fun will also include giveaways, free hot dogs and hot chocolate, as well as lots of bargains. While you’re there, you’ll want to check out the pizza, smoked meats and deli items, as well.
The Elk River Antique Mall is located just across the Cowskin Bridge on Highway 10, at 24901 S. 655 Road, in Grove.
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The Miami Regional Chamber of Commerce will present the Miami Christmas Parade on Route 66 on Saturday, Dec. 2. The historic holiday parade’s theme is “A North Pole Christmas.”
The parade starts at 6 p.m. in downtown Miami and will feature more than 100 entries, including marching bands, floats, decorated vehicles and more.
For more information, call (918) 542-4481.
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The Jay Education Foundation Holiday Home Tour is Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m. Cookies and hot apple cider will be available at the Bulldog Arena. Shuttles will also be available.
The homes of Larry and Jeanie Bingham, Brian and Callie Lane, Spring Valley Ranch, Judy Sturges and Chris and Jodi Wackerle will be featured on the tour.
Tickets are $10 and are available at Grand Savings Bank and Arvest Bank in Jay.
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Foundation Free Will Baptist Church will present its ninth annual Living Nativity “Miracle in Bethlehem” on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3.
The indoor/outdoor event that is a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. each night.
Children will enjoy seeing and touching live camels, horses, goats, sheep and donkeys as they walk through the nativity trail.
The event is free and open to the public.
Foundation Free Will Baptist Church is located two miles north of Sailboat Bridge on Highway 59. For more information, call (918) 787-8950.
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The Miami Animal Alliance invites everyone to join them for their second annual Christmas Cookie Walk on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The Christmas Cookie Walk is a fundraiser for the Miami Animal Alliance, which is a no-kill rescue, foster program that offers transport services and low-cost spay and neuter service. Shoppers walk through the goodies aisles and fill their cookie box to the brim with an assortment of homemade cookies. Other edible treats and gifts will be available as well. The cost is $6 per pound.
The Christmas Cookie Walk will be held in the Oklahoma State Bank Hospitality Room from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The bank is located at 120 W. Canadian Ave., in Vinita.
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The Grove Public Library will host a Holiday Spectacular on Thursday, Dec. 7. The energizing holiday experience starts at 6:30 p.m. It is a fun, family-friendly variety show featuring Jingles, the head elf.
The event is free to the public. The Grove Public Library is located at 1140 NEO Loop, in Grove. For more information, call (918) 786-2945.
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The Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights 2017 will be held Thursday, Dec. 7. Beginning at 7 p.m., the parade will wind through the historic streets of downtown Vinita. The theme is “Hometown Christmas.”
An annual tradition hosted by the Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce, the Christmas Parade of Lights will include brightly decorated floats, marching bands, equestrian units, nonprofit groups, horse-drawn carriages and a cast of magical Christmas characters. It’s a not-to-be-missed event.
For parade entries or more information, contact the chamber at (918) 256-7133.
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Pryor’s Christmas Parade of Lights will be Thursday, Dec. 7, in downtown Pryor. This year’s parade theme is “Stories of Christmas.”
Presented by the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce, the parade starts at 7 p.m. with judging of the floats and lineup at 6 p.m.
More than 100 entries are expected in the parade, including beautiful lighted floats, marching bands, antique cars, horses and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
For more information, contact the chamber at (918) 825-0157.
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The Ketchum “Gateway to Grand Lake” Christmas Parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8. The parade will proceed down Highway 85 to the Ketchum High School.
There will be three divisions in the parade competing for prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top parade entries, including judges’ choice.
Parade lineup will be at the Jones Hardware warehouse. Entry forms for the parade are available at Buddy Foods, Speedys or First National Bank and Trust in Ketchum.
Presented by friends of the community who have put on the event for many years, the annual Christmas parade will be followed by an awards ceremony at the Ketchum High School.
Everyone is invited to the high school to see Santa Claus and enjoy candy and hot chocolate. Door prizes, including a 42-inch television, will also be given away. Tickets for the door prize drawings are $1 each. Portions of the monies raised from the ticket sales will be donated to the Ketchum FFA.
For more information, call (918) 782-7062.
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Don’t miss out on the fun and the dessert at the annual Christmas Breakfast and Dessert Auction Saturday, Dec. 9, benefitting Second Chance Pet Rescue of Grand Lake.
Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Grove Community Center, 104 W. 3rd St., Grove. The dessert auction begins promptly at 9 a.m. No need to do your own holiday baking. You’ll find plenty of fantastic desserts to bid on at the dessert auction.
Tickets for the breakfast are $7 per person and may by purchased at the Second Chance Thrift Shop, 220 E. 3rd St., Second Chance Pet Rescue shelter office or online at www.doitforthepets.com. Tickets will also be available the morning of the breakfast at the community center.
For more information, contact Second Chance Pet Rescue at (918) 786-7630.
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The Grove Convention & Tourism Bureau, the Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and the Grove Area Merchants Association invite everyone to come celebrate the holiday season in Grove on Saturday, Dec. 9.
A new community event, Grove’s Gingerbread Christmas Festival, will be held in downtown Grove. The fun begins at 8 a.m. with the Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run. Come dressed for the fun run as one of your favorite holiday characters. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes in addition to the best times.
Pre-register by November 28 for $25 and receive a race T-shirt. Registrations after November 28 are $30. For a registration form, email donniecrain.gacc@gmail.com.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the holiday fun continues on the Community Center lawn with holiday music, an ugly Christmas sweater contest, Oasis Christmas animals, food trucks, a living nativity and more.
There will also be special events and activities all around Grove at local shops and galleries.
A Grove holiday tradition, the annual Lighted Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. in downtown Grove. One of the largest Christmas parades in the Grand Lake area, this holiday parade will feature more than 75 lighted floats, marching bands and a variety of organizations, all decked out for the Christmas season.
Entries will be judged on the best use of light and the best theme, which is “Gingerbread Christmas.”
For more information on Grove’s Gingerbread Christmas Festival, call (918) 786-9079.
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The Jay Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Jay Chamber of Commerce, will take place Saturday, Dec. 9. The theme is “Home for the Holidays.”
Lineup is at 1:30 p.m. on First Street near NAPA. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. and will include decorated vehicles and holiday-themed floats winding through downtown Jay.
For more information, call (918) 253-8698.
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They’ll be freezin’ for a reason at the Arrowhead Yacht Club on Saturday, Dec. 9, as people jump into Grand Lake for a good cause.
The 2017 Polar Bear Plunge is an annual partnership of Arrowhead Yacht Club and South Grand Lakers Helping Children, a local nonprofit, to help Grand Lake children in need. The event, which starts at 11 a.m., helps provide food, clothing and toys to families in need during Christmas and throughout the year.
Everyone is invited to bring a toy to build a mountain of toys for local children. So form a team and get ready to jump.
Arrowhead Yacht Club is located at 32894 South 4507 Road, in Afton. For more information, call (918) 782-2628.
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The holiday spirit takes to the water on Saturday, Dec. 9, for the 2017 Grand Lake Christmas Light Boat Parade at the Cherokee Yacht Club in Duck Creek.
A popular annual event on Grand Lake that’s fun for the whole family, this festive lighted boat parade features decorated boats making their way through Duck Creek before parading to the Pensacola Dam and back.
Boats in the parade will meet at the Cherokee courtesy docks at 3 p.m. before parading along the shorelines of South Grand Lake.
Prizes will be given away to first, second and third place in several categories.
Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina is located at 33152 Browning Lane, Afton. For more information, call (918) 782-4421.
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The annual Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees Christmas Land Parade will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
Lineup for the parade will be at the city park in Langley on the corner of Highway 82 and Cherokee (Main Street). The parade will cross Pensacola Dam and will end at the Disney Assembly of God Church, in Disney.
For more information, call Langley City Hall at (918) 782-9850.
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Christmas at the Coleman kicks off with performer Shoji Tabuchi’s holiday show “The Wonders of Christmas” on Thursday, Dec. 14. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the historic Coleman Theatre in Miami.
The entertaining, high-energy show is family friendly and will include blazing violins, stunning costumes, amazing harmonies, big band sound and world-class choreography.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for senior citizens and $20 for students and children.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call (918) 540-2425. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.colemantheatre.org/events.
The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 N. Main St., in Miami.
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Christmas at the Coleman continues on Friday, Dec. 15, with a showing of the contemporary holiday movie “Christmas Vacation” at 7 p.m.
The evening also includes a “Cousin Eddie” costume contest. Anyone dressed as the classic character will receive a free box of popcorn. The best costume of the night will win two free tickets to any Coleman Theatre event.
Tickets for the movie night are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call (918) 540-2425. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.colemantheatre.org/events.
The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 N. Main St., in Miami.
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The Coleman Theatre and the Tulsa Praise Orchestra and Choir will present “A Big Band Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 16. Another event of Christmas at the Coleman, “A Big Band Christmas” will be an evening of great music celebrating the Christmas season. The show will feature vocalist Ernestine Dillard.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for students and children.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call (918) 540-2425. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.colemantheatre.org/events.
The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 N. Main St., in Miami.
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Pull on your ugliest Christmas sweater or dress up like your favorite holiday character and head on over to the All Things Christmas Costume Party at The Pub on Saturday, Dec. 16. Even the Monkey Island Pub staff will be in costume at the party. They’ll be dressed up as characters from Whoville.
The evening starts at 5 p.m. with a delicious meal from the Travelin’ Pig food truck. Then, get ready to party with DJ Rob, who will have the Monkey Island Pub rocking from 9 p.m. to close.
Monkey Island Pub is located at 55950 East 290 Road, on Monkey Island.
For more information, call The Pub at (918) 257-8791.
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Christmas at the Coleman concludes with a Coleman Theatre tradition, a showing of the holiday movie classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” on Sunday, Dec. 17.
The movie will begin at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children.
To purchase tickets or for more information, call (918) 540-2425. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.colemantheatre.org/events.
The Coleman Theatre is located at 103 N. Main St., in Miami.
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Cherokee Yacht Club and Arrowhead Yacht Club will be celebrating the arrival of 2018 with a New Year’s Bash that lasts all weekend long.
On Thursday, Dec. 28, the fun gets started at Cherokee Yacht Club with a delicious pasta station at 5 p.m.. The a la carte menu will also be available.
Hookers will host a Five O’Clock Somewhere cocktail party on Friday, Dec. 29. The fun continues on Saturday, Dec. 30, with lunch at Hookers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner at the Cherokee Yacht Club from 5 to 9 p.m.
Cherokee Yacht Club will be putting on the ritz to ring in the new year on New Year’s Eve. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a champagne and caviar cocktail party with Terry Jordan. A gourmet buffet begins at 7:30 p.m.
The midnight dance party begins at 8 p.m. and will feature live music from Mass FX. A midnight ball drop and fireworks will be followed with breakfast burritos at Hookers at 12:30 a.m.
The Cherokee Yacht Club and Marina is located at 33152 Browning Lane, Afton. For reservations or more information, call (918) 782-4421.
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On New Year’s Eve, the Shangri-La Resort Hotel will be offering a special $129 room rate for those who plan on welcoming the new year on Monkey Island.
In addition to the special room rate, the hotel is also offering hotel guests free transportation to any club on Monkey Island, as well as the Road Hog Saloon and Cherokee Casino Grove. There will also be a late 4 p.m. check-out time on New Year’s Day, so guests can party all night.
At midnight, Doc’s Bar and Grill will be toasting the new year with champagne and breakfast.
The Shangri-La Resort Hotel is located at 31000 South Highway 125, on Monkey Island. For reservations or more information, call (918) 257-4204.
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Ring in the new year at the Monkey Island Pub’s New Year’s Masquerade Red Carpet on Sunday, Dec. 31. Bring your masks and wear your gowns as The Pub brings in the new year with champagne, cocktails, party favors, dancing and DJ Rob on the mic from 9 p.m. to close.
The Pub will also provide a safe ride home to all our customers. If you need it, just ask.
Monkey Island Pub is located at 55950 East 290 Road, on Monkey Island.
For more information, call The Pub at (918) 257-8791.
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The Grove Community Playmakers will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration Dance and Show on Sunday, Dec. 31. The evening begins at 8:30 p.m. and will include a midnight celebration welcoming 2018 with a champagne toast, hats, horns, streamers and an hors d’oeuvres buffet.
There will also be a mystery show, dancing to great music, ranging from big band to contemporary, live and silent auctions, a raffle, fun activities, treats and a full cash bar.
The event is a fundraiser that will benefit the Grove Community Playmakers. Tickets are $75 per person if reserved by December 30. On December 31, tickets will be $85, if tickets are still available. Reserved VIP tables for friends or businesses are $75 per person with a minimum of 6 and up to 12.
Must be 21 years or older to attend.
The New Year’s Eve Celebration Dance and Show will be held at the former Moose Lodge, 61951 East 315 Road, in Grove.
For information and reservations, call (918) 786-8950.