Broken Arrow flips the switch on the holiday season tonight, with the city's Christmas Kick-Off and Tree Lighting running from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Rose District. The evening is built around the city's tree lighting and Main Street decorations, with several weeks of holiday activities to follow for families and visitors across town.
According to News On 6, Broken Arrow is preparing its annual Christmas celebration with live music and performances, visits with Santa and holiday characters, horse-drawn carriage rides, and live reindeer. The lineup also folds in the BA Ice Rink, which is open for the holiday season. Per TulsaKids, the night's music comes from saxophonist Grady Nichols and his band alongside student performances, and admission to the kickoff itself is free.
Not everything on offer is complimentary, however. News On 6 reports that most activities at the celebration are free, but some attractions require payment, so families budgeting for the night should expect a mix of no-cost and ticketed options once they arrive.
A Bigger Footprint Down Main Street
This year's kickoff is expanding its physical reach. The same TulsaKids report notes that activities extend farther down Main Street to College Street than in previous years.
That expansion matters for local shops, too. News On 6 reports the annual celebration gives Rose District merchants an opportunity to welcome customers and encourage local shopping, a dynamic that plays out across the several weeks of programming that follow the kickoff.
Erin Hofener, marketing and communications coordinator for the City of Broken Arrow, told News On 6 that decorations, merchant participation and community involvement are what make the event special. She said the celebration is intended to bring the community together, noting last year's gathering attracted approximately 11,000 visitors.
Bingo, a Parade and More Through December
The festivities don't end when the tree lights come on. The City of Broken Arrow plans Christmas Bingo, where shoppers visit participating businesses, collect stamps and enter for a chance to win prizes. The game begins tonight and runs through Dec. 27, with cards available at any participating business starting during the kickoff, according to Visit Broken Arrow. The posted rules specify that participants must be at least 18 to win, and that City of Broken Arrow employees, participating merchants and their immediate family members are ineligible to enter.
A Broken Arrow Christmas Parade is scheduled for Dec. 5, and Santa visits are planned at the holiday market throughout the season. Christmas Around the World, set for Dec. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Rose District, will feature holiday traditions from different cultures and replaces the former Carols & Cocoa event, per TulsaKids.
