12 things you can only do at the holidays in Oklahoma

Pop singer Andy Williams famously crooned that the holidays are "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

And it's hard to argue when you consider some of the festivities that are unique to Christmastime.

From viewing "the world's largest fresh-cut Christmas tree" to touring Santa's Workshop on a North Pole Adventure, here are 12 events and attractions across Oklahoma that celebrants can only enjoy during the holiday season:

When: Through Dec. 30.

Where: Riversport, 800 Riversport Drive.

Information: https://www.riversportokc.org/events/winter-glow.

Riversport's Winter Glow Nordic experience includes indoor ice skating, curling, skiing and snowboarding, plus hot chocolate, s’mores and firepits, all wrapped up with holiday lights.

Riversport's synthetic ice rink and curling courts offer an icy experience without ice. Winter Glow also features four covered climbing experiences — a cavern wall, leap of faith, adventure climb, speed wall — and simulated ice climbing, all festively decorated for the season.

New this year, Riversport is hosting eSports competitions with weekly prize offerings.

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 30.

Where: Red Earth Art Center, BancFirst Tower south lobby, 100 N Broadway Ave.

Information: https://redearth.org/pages/treefest and https://www.facebook.com/redearthinc.

For its annual Red Earth Treefest, the nonprofit arts organization invites Oklahoma-based Native American nations to decorate evergreens with handmade ornaments and art objects to showcase the distinctive culture of each tribe. The display is free to see.

When: Through Dec. 24.

Where: 2215 W I-240 Service Road, in Walnut Square Center.

Information: https://www.northpoleadventure.org and https://www.ticketstorm.com.

An interactive yuletide attraction, North Pole Adventure transports families to St. Nick's stomping grounds, where they can check on his sleigh-pulling caribou in the Reindeer Barn, attend Elf University, make toys in Santa's workshop and more.

When: Through Jan. 3.

Where: 150 W Park Ave., Enid.

Information:https://www.theoneenid.com and https://www.facebook.com/TheOneEnid.

For the second year, "the world's largest fresh-cut Christmas Tree" — a towering 140-foot-tall evergreen dubbed the "Christ Tree" — is the centerpiece of "the One," a 40-day Christmas extravaganza in downtown Enid. The tree is free to see.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10.

Where: Turner Falls Park, I-35 and U.S. 77, Davis.

Information: https://www.facebook.com/TurnerFallsParkOK.

Billed as the home of Oklahoma's largest waterfall, Turner Falls Park annually hosts a one-night-only Christmas Laser Light show, and this year's dazzling event will see the addition of fire dancing.

Admission into the park is one new, unwrapped toy per vehicle, although attendees can bring more toys if they wish.

All toys collected will be given to the Davis Police Department for their Christmas Toy Giveaway for the children in the community.

When: Through Jan. 1.

Where: Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Drive.

Information: https://downtownindecember.com/snow-tubing.

The OKC Dodgers Winterfest and Snow Tubing is an annual holiday home run. Along with zipping on tubes down two manmade ice slopes, attendees can partake of yuletide movies on the video board, hot chocolate, snacks and sparkling lights and decorations.

When: 3 p.m. Dec. 17.

Where: Historic Fort Reno, 7107 W Cheyenne St., El Reno.

Information: http://www.fortreno.org/christmas-guns.

A literal blast from the past brought to Oklahoma by German immigrants, the traditional discharging of firearms such as cannons and guns was believed to dispel evil spirits in preparation for the upcoming holiday. Along with the guns, the festivities will include storytelling, food and a visit from Santa.

When: Extended holiday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Crystal Bridge will close at 3 p.m. Dec. 24.

Where: Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave.

Information:https://myriadgardens.org/crystalbridge,

Newly reopened after a yearlong renovation, the Myriad Gardens' iconic Crystal Bridge conservatory is all decked out for the holidays with hundreds of poinsettias.

The yuletide reopening marks the comeback of the downtown OKC landmark's signature poinsettia tree, a soaring 16 feet of carefully stacked Christmassy plants.

When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17.

Where: Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9.

Information: https://www.factoryobscura.com/events/2022/march-of-the-trees.

On the longest night of the year, OKC artist collective Factory Obscura illuminates the darkness with lights and costumes at its March of the Trees. Participants are invited to dress as trees — holiday trees, butterfly trees, forest trees or trees of life — and celebrate the winter solstice.

When: Dec. 9-23.

Where: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park's indoor black box theater, 2920 Paseo.

Information: https://www.okshakes.org.

Oklahoma Shakespeare closes its 38th season indoors with the merry comeback of its original holiday production, "Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker," which local playwright Erin Woods has adapted from Jane Austen's beloved novels. The interactive show invites ticketholders to sing Christmas carols, play games and dance with some of Austen's iconic characters at a Regency era ball.

When: Weekends through Jan. 1.

Where: Downtown OKC.

Information: https://downtownindecember.com/streetcar.

Complimentary fares on the OKC Streetcar are offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the holiday season.

When: Through Dec. 27.

Where: Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd.

Information:https://okcthepolarexpressride.com.

A real-life train is the stage as the popular book- and movie-based holiday experience returns to OKC with more opportunities for riders to partake of "Hot Chocolate" and "Believe" in Santa's magic.