Description
Every December, cabins and businesses along the Hochatown strip put up holiday lights, and the informal result is a self-drive tour that visitors can do any evening during the month — no tickets, no set schedule, just a loop along US-259 and the side roads once it’s dark. Some properties compete informally for best display, which means the specific highlights shift somewhat from year to year.
Visitor Information
This isn’t run by a single organizer with a fixed route or map — it’s a loosely organized tradition that’s built into the area’s December character rather than a scheduled festival. If you’re staying in Hochatown in December, you’ll likely see much of it just driving to dinner.
What to Expect
Plan for a slow drive after dark, 30–45 minutes if you’re doing a deliberate loop rather than just passing through on your way somewhere. It’s a low-key, flexible activity — good for pairing with a dinner reservation or a quiet evening rather than building a whole day around.
Planning Tips
Because this isn’t centrally organized, there’s no official published route — driving the main strip after dark during December is generally enough to see most of it. If a specific property’s display is the draw, it’s worth a quick search or a call ahead to confirm it’s still running that particular year, since participation isn’t guaranteed to repeat identically every December.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christmas in Hochatown a single event or does it run all month?
It runs throughout December as a self-drive tour rather than a single scheduled night — you can do it any evening that works for your trip.
Do I need tickets for the Hochatown lights tour?
No — it's a free, self-guided drive along Hochatown's main road and side streets, not a ticketed event.
What's the best time of evening to see the lights?
After full dark, which in December in Oklahoma is early evening — check current sunset time for your dates, but 6–8pm is typically a safe window.
Stay Somewhere on the Route
Some of the best-decorated stops are cabins themselves — staying in Hochatown during December means the lights tour is a five-minute drive, not a special trip.