Chickasaw Country Christmas

Holiday Season Shines Bright with Several Yule Events in Ada, Tishomingo and Sulphur

Christmas spirit will be felt the entire month of December in Chickasaw Country. Several holiday-themed events, hosted by the Chickasaw Nation, are planned in local communities.

Up Go the Lights! Dec. 2

The Christmas season will be brighter for thousands of people in southern Oklahoma thanks to the second annual Christmas lights at the Chickasaw Cultural Center. The holiday season kicks off Monday, Dec. 2 at the Chickasaw Cultural Center as Christmas lights when the displays are turned on at 6 p.m.

Dozens of displays featuring traditional Christmas themes and Chickasaw greetings are included in the dazzling drive-through display.

The free drive-through light display will be open every evening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., during the month of December.

More than 3,500 people visited the attraction last year.

The lights' debut is the same evening as the Sulphur Christmas Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m., and the debut of the "Plaza Experience" a 45,000-light show and "mega Christmas display" in downtown Sulphur.

The halls and walls of the Artesian Hotel, also located in Sulphur, will also be decked for the Christmas holiday.

CCC Holiday Movies

Several holiday films are set for December at the Chickasaw Cultural Center; including– "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" December 3; "Christmas in the Clouds" December 7 ; "A Christmas Story" December 10; "ELF" December 17 and "Muppets Christmas Carol" will be shown each weekend in December.

Ada Yule Fun

The McSwain Theatre in Ada will serve free hot chocolate and play a free holiday movie throughout the afternoon and evening of Thursday, Dec. 5, the day of Ada's Christmas Parade.

A free Holiday Concert by students of the Chickasaw School of Guitar and Chickasaw Children's Choir will be conducted at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at the McSwain Theatre.

Chickasaw Cultural Christmas Celebration, December 7

Santa Claus and Christmas cheer can be found at the Chickasaw Cultural Center Christmas Celebration, set Sat., Dec.7. The annual event will include celebrations of several significant holiday traditions.

Pictures with Santa will be available in the Anoli Theater Lobby. A miniature Native American ornament class is planned, as well as a Christmas tree workshop for children.

The Chickasaw Press will conduct a book signing and holiday sales will be offered all-day at cultural center retail shops.

A holiday film will be screened in the Anoli Theater.

Guided tours of the traditional village will also be available.

For more information about any of the upcoming events, contact the Chickasaw Cultural Center at 580-622-7130, or online at http://www.chickasawculturalcenter.com.

The Chickasaw Cultural Center is located at 867 Charles Cooper Memorial Drive in Sulphur, Okla.

It's a Wonderful Life – Old Fashioned Radio Show

Witness the holiday classic come to life as the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities and the McSwain Theatre present "It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13 and Dec. 14. A 2 p.m. matinee will be presented Dec. 14.

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play," by Joe Landry, harkens back to the golden age of radio. Performed as a live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience, an ensemble of actors tell the story of George Bailey and the night he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve in 1946.

Presented by the Chickasaw Nation Division of Arts and Humanities and the McSwain Theatre, the performance is produced in special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc.

Tickets are now available.

For more information, contact Lorie Robins at (580) 272-5520

Holiday-themed trek in Tishomingo area Dec. 14

The Chickasaw Nation will host a holiday-themed trek through Chickasaw territory Saturday, Dec. 14 with "Christmas at the Museums."

The Christmas at the Museums event features a free progressive dinner providing a separate course of dinner at each stop. Appetizers will be served 4 p.m. at the Chickasaw Council House in Tishomingo, Okla. followed by a variety of stews 5 p.m. at the historic Chickasaw Capitol.

After the dinner, a shuttle will be available to take the guests to the Chickasaw White House in Emet, Okla., for desserts and a visit with Santa.

Guests will also be able to enjoy the festive décor and music as they tour the museums.

The Council House Museum includes artifacts tracing the history and culture of the Chickasaw people, contemporary Chickasaw artworks, a gift shop and more. It is located at 209 North Fisher.

Chickasaw Capitol building, a stately structure overlooking the town of Tishomingo, is located at 411 W. 9th Street.

Built in 1895, the Chickasaw White House was the home of Chickasaw Governor and his family from 1898 to 1971. Now under the care of the tribe, the White House has been restored to its full grandeur. It is located at the north edge of Emet, 10 miles east of Tishomingo.

For more information, please call (580) 371-9835.

Christmas Stories Shared at CNMC

"Christmas Story" and "Story of the Candy Cane" will be presented at 2 p.m., Dec. 16-20 at the Chickasaw Medical Center Town Center, in Ada.

Holiday Shows at the McSwain, Ada

"The Christmas Spectacular" hosted by Jae L. and Crossover will be conducted at the McSwain Theatre, Saturday, Dec. 21 beginning at 7:30 p.m., and the "Hee Haw" show will get underway New Year's Eve at the McSwain Theatre Tuesday, Dec. 31 show.

For more information about events at the historic theatre contact the McSwain Theatre at 580-332-8108 or online at http://www.McSwainTheatre.com.

Follow theatre updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/McSwainTheatre or on Twitter at Twitter.com/McSwainTheatre.

The McSwain Theatre, owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation, is located at 130 W. Main in Ada.

For a list of Christmas parades and lighting events in Chickasaw Country, please visit http://chickasawcountry.com/oklahoma-christmas-light-displays-and-parades.