More than half a million lights will blanket Tulsa Botanic Garden & Nature Trail starting Nov. 27, as the annual Botanic Garden of Lights returns for select nights through Dec. 30. The garden recommends buying tickets in advance because popular nights can sell out.
According to Tulsa Botanic Garden, the display will come alive with over 500,000 lights across the grounds on select nights between Nov. 27 and Dec. 30. Tulsa World lists hours of 5 to 9 p.m.
Tulsa World's reporting also lays out ticket pricing: general admission runs $20 for adults and $9 for children, while members pay $16 for adults and $8 for children. Children age 2 and younger get in free, and families receiving SNAP benefits can receive free admission at the door with proof of benefits while supplies last. The garden's own site confirms that families receiving SNAP or WIC benefits, as well as Oklahoma foster families, qualify for free admission while supplies last, with SNAP/WIC visitors asked to show a benefits card along with photo ID.
Live Music Fills the Great Lawn Most Sundays
Beyond the lights themselves, the garden is leaning into live entertainment this year. Per the same Tulsa World report, Cocoa & Concerts are scheduled on Sundays from 6 to 8:30 p.m., featuring live music on the Great Lawn. The lineup includes the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 29, the Bison Band on Dec. 6, Branjae on Dec. 13, Annie Ellicott on Dec. 20, and Hot Toast Music Co. on Dec. 27 — a run that also matches the schedule posted on the garden's own event listing.
There's more programming built around Thursdays, too. The article notes a Sounds of the Season series on Thursdays, with carolers performing Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 and the Tulsa Opera taking the stage Dec. 17. Santa makes his own nightly appearances as well — the garden's event page states that Santa visits nightly from 5 to 8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23.
A Quieter Night on Dec. 2
For families seeking a calmer visit, the garden is again offering a low-sensory evening billed as Silent Night Sensory, described as an evening with no soundtrack in the garden. Tulsa World's reporting and the garden's own website schedule the event for Wednesday, Dec. 2.
Character meet-and-greets are also part of the mix. Tulsa World's reporting lists character meet-and-greets taking place Dec. 26-30, a detail worth noting for families built around that kind of outing.
Closures, Food Rules and What to Bring
The garden will be closed on Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day, according to Tulsa World's reporting, and its own site separately lists closures on Dec. 24, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Visitors can buy timed tickets online in advance, which the garden recommends given that some nights will sell out.
Food options are part of the draw, too — s'mores kits, hot cocoa and a full bar are available for purchase on site, according to the garden. Outside food and drink aren't permitted, with the garden asking guests to leave outside food and drink at home. The garden notes it is cashless, so visitors should bring a card or phone to pay rather than cash. Its paved paths are also described as stroller and wheelchair friendly, making the walk-through accessible for families with young kids or visitors using mobility devices.
Other Holiday Lights Around the Tulsa Area
Tulsa Botanic Garden isn't the only holiday light show drawing crowds this season. According to NewsOn6, Arvest Winterfest's opening-night festivities are set for Nov. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., including Santa visits, live performances and a tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. The outlet also lists the Route 66 Christmas Chute in Sapulpa from Nov. 19 through Dec. 27, with lights on daily at 4:30 p.m., music ending at 10 p.m. and lights off at 11 p.m., and describes the Philbrook Festival as transforming its historic villa and gardens with thousands of lights, decorations, live music, films, Santa visits through Dec. 23, campfires, hot cocoa and art-making activities — giving Tulsa-area families several overlapping options to pick from this winter.
