Tasha Does Tulsa.

Thanksgiving is upon us, Tulsa, and that can only mean one thing.

Actually, it means lots of things. It means frantic trips to grocery stores-turned-mine fields. It means the gathering of Black Friday ads in anticipation of putting some smack down in the name of low prices and hot deals. It means an afternoon on the couch after this biggest dinner you’ll eat all year.

So, yeah, that Thanksgiving is coming right up means all of those things. But it also means that several of our city’s lights-on events are ready and raring to go. Here’s where to find ‘em.

Lights On at Rhema
When: Wednesday, Nov. 24, 6pm
Where: Rhema Bible College, 1025 West Kenosha Street
Want to see the biggest display of Christmas lights in our part of the state come on all at once? Head out to Broken Arrow for the lights on event at Rhema Bible College. My bet is that the earth shudders when enough electricity to fire up millions of lights across an entire college campus is used at once, but I don’t know – you’ll just have to find out for yourself. Definitely bring the kids for this one. Admission is free and open to the public.

Lights On! at Utica Square
When: Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day), 6:30pm
Where: Utica Square, east of 21st Street between Utica and Yorktown
Put away the turkey, bundle up the kids, and head over to Utica Square this Thanksgiving for Tulsa’s 43rd annual lights-on tradition. Sip on some hot chocolate as you sing your favorite holiday carols with the Founders Chorus, and don’t forget to stop by and see Santa Claus after he lights the more than 700,000 lights adorning 175 trees at Utica Square each season. If you’re looking to start a new family tradition this year, consider this event your top pick. Admission is free and open to the public, but you might want to get around early because parking can be, on a scale of un-crazy to absolutely insane, downright institutional.

Lights On at The Blue Whale
When: Friday, Nov. 26, 5pm
Where: The Blue Whale in Catoosa, just off old Route 66
Ever wonder what our beloved, historic Blue Whale would look like decked out in lights? Good news – you get to find out this year! When you stop in for this lights-on event, be on the look-out for Christmas music, too, as well as a lighted snack shack and ark.

Lights On in the Blue Dome District
When: Friday, Nov. 26, 7pm
Where: Downtown Tulsa’s Blue Dome District, centered on 2nd and Elgin Ave.
I’ll give you three tries to guess what color the Christmas lights are going to be in the Blue Dome District for this lights-on event, but my bet is that you’re only gonna need one. Don’t miss this first-ever event in downtown’s hip, happening BDD.

Holiday on the Hill
When: Tuesday, Nov. 30, 5pm
Where: Rogers State University in Claremore, in front of Preparatory Hall, the gold-domed building at the campus main entrance
Don’t miss Claremore’s RSU campus go up in more than 24,000 lights while Dr. David Blakely performs a reading of the holiday classic, “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Look also for performances by the RSU Choir and preschoolers from the RSU Child Development Center. All are encouraged to bring cameras and be ready for photo ops with Santa and Hunter the Hillcat. Free hot chocolate and hot apple cider will be served. It’s all free and open to the public.

River Lights at River Parks
When: Dec. 4, 4-6pm
Where: 41st Street Plaza, 41st Street and Riverside Drive
Mark your calendars now for the second-annual River Parks River Lights, a holiday lights-on celebration that lines the banks of our Arkansas River. Featured performers at the event include the Spotlight Children’s Theater Group and Team Galaxy. Admission is free and open to the public.

Other places to see Christmas lights in Tulsa

Garden Glow @ Philbrook
When: Started Saturday, Nov. 20, 5pm; Continues each evening until Dec. 31
Where: Philbrook Museum or Art, 2727 S. Rockford Ave.
This third-annual, free event at one of Tulsa’s cherished landmarks is not to be missed. Spend some time perusing the exhibits at Philbrook and then head outside at dusk to see thousands of lights come to life in the garden.

Garden of Lights
Starting date: Thursday, Nov. 25, at dusk
Where: Honor Heights Park in Muskogee
Count ‘em – one million lights, baby. It takes 120 acres to contain all that Christmas cheer at Muskogee’s Honor Heights Park. The fun continues through Dec. 31.

Christmas Kingdom
Starting date: Thursday, Nov. 25, 6pm
Where: The Castle of Muskogee, 3400 Fern Mountain Road
There’s nothing like a 20-foot inflatable to get a person into the holiday spirit. Get that and 999 other Christmas Inflatables, along with thousands of lights, in this fourth annual, free event. Check out the horse carriage rides starting at 6pm, and don’t miss Christmas in the Garden Room, cookies and hot chocolate (nightly from 6-10pm), tractor-drawn hay rides and a visit with Father Christmas (Fridays and Saturdays, 6-9pm). Check out the full calendar of events at OKCastle.com.

Woolaroc Wonderland of Lights
When: Friday, Nov. 26, dusk
Where: Woolaroc Museum & Wildlife Preserve, southwest of Bartlesville
Ever seen a buffalo with a red, glowing nose? You just might if you head to Woolaroc for its Wonderland of Lights. See 650,000 lights, sing carols, sit back for a wagon ride and a cup of cider, see Santa and sneak a peek at the Holiday Horseman, all on Oklahoma’s own 3,700-acre wildlife preserve. Just, whatever you do, don’t tip Rudolph. Admission is $8 for guests aged 12-64 and $6 for seniors. Children 11 and under get in free.

Lights on the Hill
When: Friday, Nov. 26, 6pm
Where: Chandler Park, 6500 W. 21st Street
Chandler Park will be ablaze with the sights and sounds of the holiday spirit during November and December with their annual Lights on the Hill display. The best part? You don’t even have to get out of your car. Take a take a drive through three miles of bright lights and whimsical displays in celebration of Christmas. If in the event you do feel like braving winter temperatures and climbing out of your car, the folks at Chandler Park will offer horse-drawn carriage rides and hot chocolate. Admission is free and open to the public.

Stay tuned, y’all – the annual map of where to find Christmas lights in Tulsa is coming. Too bad there’s no Santa Tracker-like system for this thing. That’d be pretty cool.

Where do you go to find lights-on events in Tulsa? Enlighten us (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) in the comments.

Image from UticaSquare.com.

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