★★
Budget
Hawthorn Extended Stay by Wyndham Oklahoma City Airport
From $64 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
Things to Do in Oklahoma City in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Oklahoma City
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
122°F (50°C)
High Temp
85°F (29°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden ice storms can close roads and attractions - monitor local weather closely. Refresh often. Drive slow. Stay flexible.
⚠ Wind chill can make 40°F feel like 25°F - dress in layers
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December hands Oklahoma City its clearest skies of the year. Prairie horizons run 50 km (31 miles) without summer haze, and the 122°F (50°C) heat becomes tolerable for sunset photography at Lake Hefner.
- + Hotel rates fall 35-40% after Thanksgiving once business travelers vanish. Downtown Oklahoma City hotels sell at shoulder-season prices, and the Bricktown Canal stays free of conference crowds.
- + The Myriad Botanical Gardens' Crystal Bridge holds steady at 21°C (70°F) while outside air lingers around 29°C (84°F). Locals treat the glass structure as their winter greenhouse escape minus the plane ticket.
- + Red Earth Tree Lighting pulls maybe 3,000 people, a fraction of the 15,000 who cram the Plaza District in October. You can see the 15 m (49 ft) tree without elbowing through crowds.
Considerations
- − Seventy percent humidity sounds harmless until you're walking between Oklahoma City restaurants on December afternoons when the temperature reaches 35°C (95°F). Sweat pools in places you never knew could sweat.
- − The wind. December winds regularly hit 25-30 km/h (15-18 mph) across the plains, turning open-air activities like the Wheeler Ferris Wheel into a cold-hot-cold cycle that locals simply avoid.
- − Most outdoor festivals shut down completely. The Paseo Arts Festival, dead. Food truck gatherings at Scissortail Park, gone. You trade perfect weather for a thinner event calendar.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Oklahoma City is bright and cold. You will see your breath in the morning. Locals wear sweaters under jackets, moving between heated interiors and the brisk outdoors. The month's rhythm comes from two events. The Red Earth Tree Lighting Ceremony mixes the scent of fry bread with carols played in unseasonable warmth. At the Devon Ice Rink, skate blades scrape synthetic ice beneath strings of lights strung between palm trees. This is a time for hearty meals indoors and for venturing into the city's festive, illuminated core. The weather is mostly sunny. Cold fronts sweep in, dropping temperatures quickly. The air turns dry and invigorating. You will feel a north wind sting your cheeks. This clear atmosphere makes exploring the city's urban districts on foot or by bike a refreshing pursuit. Reliable sunshine shows the geometric lines of modern architecture and the solemn beauty of memorial grounds. Evenings are for the glow of neon in Bricktown, the warmth of a brewery taproom, and shared laughter at a comedy show. It is a cozy counterpoint.
OKC's Comedy Magic Show
entertainmentThis evening show has sleight of hand and sharp-witted improv in a low-lit downtown venue. Glasses clink between bursts of audience laughter. Performers weave local Oklahoma City quirks into their routines. The humor feels spontaneous and expertly crafted.
It turns a standard night out into a participatory event. The magic feels personal.
Insider tip: Seats near the central aisle often get pulled into the act. Choose them for the most engaging experience.
Bike Art and Architecture Tour
guided_experiencePedal through quiet downtown streets on a cool December morning. The low sun casts long shadows across art deco buildings and modern towers. A guide points out terracotta details on historic structures. They explain the stories behind ambitious contemporary murals.
This tour frames the city as an open-air museum. It reveals the artistry in urban design.
Insider tip: The route has sheltered stops for shedding layers. Wear easily removable clothing.
Oklahoma City Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate
adventureStep into a vertical wind tunnel. You feel the roar of air vibrating through your body as you float above a safety net. Instructors in the chamber guide your posture with hand signals. The rush leaves your cheeks flushed.
It offers the thrill of freefall without leaving the ground.
Insider tip: Wear snug lace-up shoes and the provided flight suit over close-fitting clothes. This ensures a stable flight.
Guided Streetcar Tour visit the Memorial, Downtown & Bricktown
guided_experienceBoard the city's bell-ringing streetcar for a narrated loop. It glides past the serene reflecting pools of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. It goes through downtown and into the neon-lit heart of Bricktown. You hear the hum of the rails and see the city develop from an elevated vantage point. You stay warm.
It is the most efficient way to grasp the layout of central Oklahoma City.
Insider tip: Sit on the right-hand side when boarding for the best views of the memorial.
OKC Downtown Highlights with Memorial Grounds
otherThis walking tour provides a direct encounter with the Oklahoma City National Memorial. You feel the quiet solemnity of the empty chairs. You see your reflection in the endless pool. The guide then leads you through the revitalized urban core in the Central Business District. They connect the city's resilience to its present.
It contextualizes the city's defining tragedy within its story of renewal.
Insider tip: The memorial grounds are still just before sunset. It is a powerful time for this tour.
Bikes & Brews Tour
guided_experienceCycle along the Oklahoma River at dusk. Watch the water turn steel-gray under the winter sky. Then roll into the warm embrace of a local brewery taproom. Taste a flight of local beers, from crisp lagers to rich stouts. The stories are about Oklahoma City's craft scene.
It marries active exploration with the ritual of a post-ride pint.
Insider tip: The tour ends after dark. Bring a light jacket for the cooler return ride.
Where to Stay in Oklahoma City in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Mid December
Red Earth Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 15 m (49 ft) cedar at Red Earth Plaza gets wrapped in 50,000 LED lights in mid-December. Locals treat the lighting as the official start of 'winter' even though it's 28°C (82°F). The Chickasaw Nation provides traditional dances and fry bread while the Oklahoma City Philharmonic plays carols that somehow fit 84°F heat.
Entire month of December
Devon Ice Rink Holiday Sessions
The synthetic rink in Myriad Botanical Gardens extends hours through December with 1950s holiday music piped through speakers. The contrast of palm trees and Christmas lights is pure Oklahoma City. Local couples compete in ugly sweater contests while tourists try to figure out how to ice skate in shorts.
Packing Checklist
Bookmark this page — your progress is saved between visits
Need the full list with shopping links?
Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Oklahoma City Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
The trick to Oklahoma City restaurants in December is timing. Locals eat lunch at 11 AM and dinner at 5 PM to dodge the heat, leaving prime tables free during tourist hours.
Parking meters in Bricktown quit at 6 PM in December. Most visitors miss this and overpay while locals park free for dinner.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial stays open until midnight in December, lit by lights locals call 'the most beautiful thing in Oklahoma'. Show up at 10 PM when the crowds vanish.
Hotel pools at downtown Oklahoma City hotels stay open year-round. They hit their stride at 4 PM in December when the day's heat peaks and locals have left.
Avoid These Mistakes
Trying to walk the entire Bricktown Canal in December afternoon heat is a rookie move. Locals drive between stops or hop the water taxi, saving energy for air-conditioned brewery tours.
Booking outdoor activities between 2-4 PM is asking for trouble. Oklahoma City hits peak humidity and temperature then. Museums and underground tunnels were built for this moment.
Dismissing wind forecasts will ruin your meal. December's prairie winds make outdoor seating at Oklahoma City restaurants unbearable even when the temperature looks fine.
Explore More Activities in Oklahoma City
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Oklahoma City.
See All Oklahoma City Tours on ViatorFrequently Asked Questions
What events are happening in Oklahoma City in December?
December is one of OKC's most event-packed months: the Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Botanical Gardens opens for public skating, Zoo Lights at the Oklahoma City Zoo runs through late December with over two million lights across the grounds, and the OKC Christmas Parade typically steps off the first Saturday of the month through downtown. The Civic Center Music Hall stages holiday performances including The Nutcracker, and Bricktown's canal district lights up with seasonal dining specials and weekend markets — nearly all of it walkable in an evening.
What national holidays and observances does Oklahoma City celebrate in December?
Christmas drives the bulk of OKC's December cultural calendar, with city-wide lighting, Zoo Lights, and holiday concerts running from late November through December 31. New Year's Eve brings a downtown Bricktown countdown with fireworks above the canal. The First Americans Museum — one of the country's premier Indigenous cultural institutions — hosts programming tied to Native American observances throughout the month, making it well worth a visit beyond the standard holiday circuit.
Which Oklahoma City December events happen every year and can I count on them?
Several events have become rock-solid annual fixtures: Zoo Lights at the Oklahoma City Zoo (late November through late December), the Devon Ice Rink at Myriad Botanical Gardens (open through January), the OKC Christmas Parade (first Saturday of December, downtown), and holiday performances at the Civic Center Music Hall. Exact dates shift slightly year to year — confirm the current schedule at visitokc.com or individual venue sites before booking travel around a specific event.
Where are the best local December events in and around downtown Oklahoma City?
December events cluster conveniently around OKC's walkable urban core: Bricktown hosts holiday markets and lit-up canal walks, Midtown's Automobile Alley district runs festive weekend pop-ups, and the Paseo Arts District continues its free First Friday Art Crawl through the month. Myriad Botanical Gardens is the geographic hub for December — the Devon Ice Rink, the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory (free entry), and proximity to Paycom Center for OKC Thunder NBA games all within a few minutes' walk.
What happened at Oklahoma City's major annual December events in recent years?
OKC's core December events have run consistently for well over a decade: Zoo Lights has grown into one of the region's largest holiday light shows, the Devon Ice Rink regularly draws families from across the metro, and the Civic Center's Nutcracker production typically sells out weekend performances. The First Americans Museum, which opened in 2021, has added a significant cultural dimension to recent Decembers with curated Indigenous heritage programming that stands apart from standard holiday fare.
What is the weather like in Oklahoma City in December, and how should I pack?
December in OKC averages highs around 47°F (8°C) and lows near 27°F (-3°C), but Oklahoma's weather is genuinely unpredictable — a 60°F afternoon can precede a 25°F morning with black ice within 24 hours. Pack real winter layers, a waterproof outer shell, and boots with some grip if you plan on the outdoor ice rink or evening events around Bricktown. Heavy snowstorms that shut the city down are possible but not the norm; check news9.com for current forecasts before each day's plans.
How crowded is Oklahoma City in December, and is it a budget-friendly time to visit?
Outside the Christmas-to-New-Year's stretch, December is one of OKC's quieter tourist months — hotel rooms at solid downtown properties often run $80–$140/night, and restaurants that are harder to book in October are easier to walk into. The week between Christmas Eve and January 2nd sees a noticeable uptick in domestic travelers, so early or mid-December gets you the full festive atmosphere at lower prices. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum are rarely crowded in December, making them genuinely relaxed visits.
What are the best indoor things to do in Oklahoma City if December weather turns cold or icy?
When an Oklahoma cold snap hits, OKC's indoor options hold up well: the First Americans Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art are both world-class and rarely overcrowded, the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory inside Myriad Botanical Gardens is free and genuinely warm, and catching an OKC Thunder game at Paycom Center is one of the better ways to spend a winter evening in any American city. For a day trip, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman — about 20 minutes south — is outstanding and an easy escape from a grey afternoon.