By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
“Christmas in the Park,” Yukon’s illuminated yuletide wonderland, has been hosting huge crowds of holiday revelers – many coming from outside Oklahoma to witness the magic.
As Yukon residents prepare to usher in 2022 this Friday night, long lines of visitors have been coming to the Yukon City Park complex for the city’s mammoth light show.
This is the 26th year for “Yukon’s Christmas lights”, which began modestly in the mid-1990s with a few static displays along Jim Watson Drive next to the Yukon Community Center.
And my, how it’s grown.
People are enjoying the 5 million lights and 500 displays at the interconnecting Yukon City Park, Chisholm Trail Park and Freedom Trail Park.
“This is the first time I’ve ever been to Yukon’s Christmas lights,” said Heather Carey, of Boulder, Colo. “It is quite a spectacular display. I really enjoyed walking through the tunnel with my boyfriend Andrew and our dogs Cash and Juno. It was quite a memorable experience and I look forward to coming back again and again.”
OPEN 6-11 P.M. NIGHTLY
Christmas in the Park is open from 6-11 p.m. nightly through this Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022.
With less than a week remaining, crowds have been surging to the Yukon City Park complex for the town’s epic 40-day holiday lights marathon.
Entrances are at 500 W Vandament, 2100 S Holly and 2200 S Holly.
Crowds are enjoying Christmas in the Park while riding inside their vehicles – and on foot.
This is Oklahoma’s largest drive-through Christmas light tour, but also has become a popular walk-through attraction for families and their pets.
And that’s especially true with the recent stretch of pleasant weather.
The REAL outdoor ice-skating rink and Santa Express train rides at Chisholm Trail Park are among venue highlights.
Several 3-D displays – notably a bearded VW bus, large skiing polar bear and oversized Christmas tree ornament – have proven to be ideal “photo spots” for Christmas in the Park visitors who venture out.
One of the most impressive featured displays is a 30-foot-tall tree that changes color as Christmas music is played.
