Winterfest opens this weekend

Bundle up and enjoy the spirit of the holidays as Tulsa’s favorite holiday celebration returns to the streets of downtown Tulsa this weekend with events for the whole family.

Arvest Winterfest kicks-off the holidays on Friday, Nov. 25 with the Turkey Trot presented by Fleet Feet Tulsa. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. and ice skating begins at 10 a.m.

Winterfest has teamed up with the Downtown Coordinating Council to bring the best of the holidays to Downtown Tulsa this Sunday, Nov. 27 as part of GLOW. The evening begins at 5:45pm at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, with stops planned at Guthrie Green, Greenwood District, Blue Dome District, East Village District, Deco District, culminating with festivities at Arvest Winterfest! Each of these districts join together to present a day full of holiday activities throughout Downtown Tulsa. Visit downtowntulsaok.com for more information.

Ready, Set, GLOW! is only one of many weekend activities planned during Winterfest this year. Breakfast with Santa takes place on Saturday, Dec. 10 including a delicious breakfast, visits with Santa and more for the whole family. Admissions is $8 per person and reservations are required. Click here for tulsawinterfest.com to make reservations. Breakfast with Santa is presented by BlueStone Natural Resources.

On the same day as Breakfast with Santa, the Jingle Bell Run benefitting the Arthritis Foundation kicks off with a 5K and fun run.

The 9,000 square-foot outdoor ice rink is open daily from Nov. 25, 2016 through Jan. 15, 2017 (including Christmas Day). A climate-controlled warming tent and delicious seasonal concessions are available for purchase to visitors looking to keep warm.

Just steps from the rink will be Oklahoma’s tallest Christmas Tree. The massive 44’ tree features 35,700 glowing lights, 109,534 individual tips and a diameter at the base of nearly 30 feet. The beautiful lights provide an ideal backdrop for perfect holiday photographs under the Tulsa skyline.

Free entertainment every Saturday until Christmas takes place on the outdoor stage adjacent to the rink beside the glass icon wall of BOK Center. Performances feature children from area churches, schools, nonprofit organizations and choral groups.

A variety of weekly promotions are scheduled during the festival.  Every Monday, patrons receive half-price admission for skating with the donation of a non-perishable can of food to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma presented by OakTree IT Staffing. Every Wednesday throughout the festival visitors receive half-price skating or admission with the donation of a new or gently used coat, blanket, scarf or pair of gloves presented by Catalyst Benefits Group. These donations benefit Night Light Tulsa.

Arvest Winterfest 2016 is presented by ARVEST Bank. Additional sponsors include Catalyst Benefits Group, BlueStone Natural Resources, OakTree IT Staffing, Osage Casino. Cox Media Group is the official media partners.

A full Winterfest calendar with prices and daily hours of operation is available online at www.tulsawinterfest.com.  For more information or for group ice skating rates, please contact Connie Lytle, Group Sales Coordinator at (918) 894-4264 or clytle@smgtulsa.com.

Visitors can log on to www.downtowntulsaok.com to check out the calendar of holiday events and plan their trip to downtown Tulsa. GLOW partners will be posting their holiday events and promotions there throughout the season.