History
Santa Claus Comes To Town
1926
In 1926, Santa and his live reindeer appeared before a crowd of at least 50,000 parade attendees.
Flying High
1927
A year later—in 1927—Santa flew in on a special plane made just for him.
Wonders From Around The World
1933
By 1933, the parade had become a well-established event and a big draw for downtown stores, which stayed open later than their normal hours to take advantage of the huge crowd of shoppers. Santa rode in a sleigh made from rubber tires and the theme was Wonders from Around the World.
A Break
1942
The parade would see a several year hiatus because of World War II.
Bright Lights
Bright lights decorated the intersection of 5th Street and Main in 1942. (Photo Courtesy of the Tulsa World)
Marching Bands
1949
Marching bands have always been a crowd favorite in past and present parades. Here, the Tulsa University Band leads the Tulsa Christmas Parade. (Photo Courtesy of the Beryl Ford Collection and Rotary Club of Tulsa)
Yuletide Parade
1950
By the 1950s, the parade became known as the Yuletide Parade and boasted at least a dozen floats.
Blast From Tulsa’s Past
1960
Marching bands continue to lead the way. (Photo Courtesy of Scott Hamilton)
Parade Postponed
1963
The parade was postponed a week due to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Energy Crisis
1973
During the energy crisis of 1973, the city waited until December 1st to put up Christmas lights downtown—a full 15 days later than normal. They were turned off at 10 PM nightly to conserve electricity. However, this change did not affect the parade, as it was held during the daytime.
Iran Hostage Crisis
1980
The start of the 1980 parade featured flags topped with yellow ribbons, reminding parade attendees of the 52 American hostages held in Iran.
Nighttime Parade
1986
For a time, the parade was held during the day to help downtown businesses. In 1986, the parade became held at night when Public Service Company of Oklahoma became a sponsor of the Tulsa Christmas Parade of Light. (Photo and Content Courtesy of Steve Crane/Tulsa World File)
A New Tradition
2014
A group of community and business leaders came together to organize the region’s favorite parade. Collectively they decided to ensure that each year a worthwhile charity would benefit from the funds raised for our Tulsa tradition.
An Old-Fashined Family Christmas
2015
Christmas Cheer Of Yesteryear
2016
Miracle at Boston and 4th Street
2018
Rocking Around Tulsa Town
2019
A Christmas Joyride
2020
Making Spirits Bright
2021
Art Deco the Halls
2022
Stay Gold, Merry & Bright: An Outsiders House Museum Christmas
2024
The Outsiders House Museum offers fans an immersive look into the beloved story with rare memorabilia, behind-the-scenes trivia, and iconic settings like Ponyboy and Darry’s living room. After nearly facing demolition, Hip Hop artist Danny Boy O’Connor purchased and restored the house in 2016, transforming it into a museum dedicated to preserving the film’s legacy. We proudly support the museum’s preservation and educational efforts, ensuring this cultural gem remains a cherished part of Tulsa’s history.