What to do with kids in Tulsa over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: one says it’s open on Christmas Day and one on New Year’s Day. Plus five dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.
Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1
Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.
“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.
Day by day
Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.
Rhema Bible Church campus (Rhema Lights) · Rhema Park, Broken Arrow, OK
Good to know: Holiday train ride through the lights (not a Santa train). First come, first served; cash or card.
Woodland Hills Mall · 7021 So Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74133
Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 1 evening (Dec 13).
Rhema Bible Church campus · Rhema Park, Broken Arrow, OK
Good to know: Millions of LEDs; tradition since 1982; lights on in any weather.
Tulsa Botanic Garden · Tulsa, OK
Good to know: S'mores fire pits, Santa nightly through Dec 23, winter characters Dec 26–30. Loaner wheelchairs; accessible paths noted on page.
Arvest Winterfest (downtown Tulsa) · Downtown Tulsa, OK
Discovery Lab · Gathering Place
Good to know: Science activities and demos, ending with last year's 20,000-balloon drop tradition.
Tulsa City-County Library – Herman and Kate Kaiser Library · Tulsa
Good to know: For all ages: activities, games, songs and a countdown to the new year at noon.
Tulsa City-County Library – Broken Arrow Library · Broken Arrow
Good to know: For all ages: activities and a New Year countdown while the sun is out.
Tulsa City-County Library – Martin Regional Library · Tulsa
Good to know: An all-ages countdown to noon, billed in English and Spanish.
Rhema Bible Church campus · Rhema Park, Broken Arrow, OK
Good to know: Millions of LEDs; tradition since 1982; lights on in any weather.
Arvest Winterfest (downtown Tulsa) · Downtown Tulsa, OK
Open on New Year’s Day: Discovery Lab.
Rainy-day backup
These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.
Keep planning
November: things to do in TulsaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in TulsaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in TulsaFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in TulsaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in TulsaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in TulsaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in TulsaKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in TulsaParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in TulsaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with dates
Christmas markets in TulsaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Playgrounds in TulsaParks with a playground, restrooms and shelters
Splash pads in TulsaSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hours
This week in TulsaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Gathering Place (7 a.m.–6 p.m.) posts that it’s open on Christmas Day. Closed: Philbrook Museum of Art and Oklahoma Aquarium.
Open with posted hours: Discovery Lab (9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.), Gathering Place (7 a.m.–9 p.m.), Oklahoma Aquarium (Closes at 4 p.m. (last admission 3 p.m.)). On the calendar: Rhema Express train and Santa Photos at Woodland Hills Mall.
Discovery Lab (9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.).
On the calendar for Jan 1: Rhema Christmas Lights and Arvest Winterfest. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.
Rhema Christmas Lights, Botanic Garden of Lights and Arvest Winterfest. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Tulsa, through the holidays.
