🧭 Christmas lights
The short answer
The main Christmas light display is Winter Wonderland at Broken Bow City Park, free and lit after dark every evening from December 5 to 27, 2026. If you're coming for Thanksgiving, some holiday events are already going: Broken Bow lights its town Christmas tree and train on November 19, 2026, Hester's holiday magic show runs in November and December, and last year Hochatown's tree lighting at Choctaw Landing was on November 22. But the big park light display doesn't open until December 5.
Visiting in mid-December? That's the best time. Winter Wonderland is lit every night, the McCurtain County Christmas Parade is in Broken Bow on December 7, 2026, and Idabel has its own tree lighting and parade. This year's holiday events are listed right below, pulled from our events calendar.
- Big light display: Winter Wonderland, Broken Bow City Park, Dec 5–27, 2026
- By Thanksgiving: Broken Bow tree lit Nov 19; Hochatown tree lit Nov 22 last year
- Christmas parade: McCurtain County parade, Mon Dec 7, 2026, 6:30 PM
- Idabel: Tree lighting Dec 1, parade Dec 4, 2026
📅 This week & coming up
Christmas events coming up
Carl Sherman Plaza · 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Idabel, OK · Saturday, October 24, 2026
Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce · 6:30 PM
Wheelock Academy Historic Site · 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Southeastern University, Idabel Campus
Hugo Agriplex · 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Broken Bow · 6:30 PM
Town of Hochatown
🚚 Delivery to your cabin
Staying in? Get food and groceries delivered
Grocery delivery
Skip the drive to town. Adam's Snack Wagon shops the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow for you. Type or say your shopping list in the app, check the items it finds, and a driver brings your groceries to your cabin around Hochatown.
Shop groceries →Restaurant delivery
Order from local restaurants on the Adam's Snack Wagon app. A driver picks up your food and brings it right to your cabin, so nobody has to drive after a long day on the lake.
Order restaurant delivery →🎄 Christmas lights
Winter Wonderland at Broken Bow City Park
Winter Wonderland is the City of Broken Bow's holiday light display. In 2026 it fills Broken Bow City Park, 1211 James Butler Drive, from December 5 to 27. The lights come on after dark each evening, and it's free to get in.
On select Saturdays there's more going on, with Santa, carriage rides, local vendors and holiday activities. The kickoff is Saturday, December 5. Call the city at (580) 584-2282 to ask which Saturdays have Santa.
Hochatown to Broken Bow is about 20 minutes south on US-259, so it's an easy evening drive from the cabin.
🌟 Before December
What's up by Thanksgiving week
Thanksgiving is November 26, 2026. Here's what you can see that week:
Broken Bow's Hometown Christmas Tree & Train Lighting is on the Chamber lawn, 113 W Martin Luther King Drive, on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 6:30 PM. It's free, with carols, hot cocoa, cookies and photos with Santa.
Hochatown's Christmas tree lighting is at Choctaw Landing. Last year it was on November 22. The 2026 date isn't posted yet, so check back here or call Choctaw Landing.
Hester's Theatre of Magic in Hochatown switches to its holiday show, A Christmas Remembered, in November and December. Buy tickets ahead. The show isn't recommended for ages 3 and under.
Small Business Saturday is November 28, a good day to shop the local stores.
🌟 Hochatown tree lightingChoctaw Landing brings a full resort experience to Hochatown, pairing casino gaming with hotel stays, dining, and live events in one destination.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌟 Holiday magic showHester’s Theatre of Magic brings live illusion to Hochatown with a compact theater experience centered on Chris Hester’s stage show.
See hours, photos & directions →
🌟 Tree & train lightingThe Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the community’s visitor and business hub, welcoming people to Broken Bow and the surrounding area with information that promotes local commerce and tourism.
See hours, photos & directions →🎅 Parades & tree lightings
Christmas parades in McCurtain County
The 56th McCurtain County Christmas Parade, "Songs of the Season," rolls through Broken Bow on Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM.
Idabel, about 30 minutes south of Broken Bow, lights its Christmas tree on December 1 and holds its Christmas parade on December 4, 2026. Times aren't posted yet, so call the Idabel Chamber.
Valliant, west of Idabel, held A Vintage Valliant Christmas Parade downtown on December 6 last year. Check with the Valliant Chamber for this year's date.
🎅 County paradeThe Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the community’s visitor and business hub, welcoming people to Broken Bow and the surrounding area with information that promotes local commerce and tourism.
See hours, photos & directions →
🎅 Idabel paradeThe Idabel Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture serves as a central hub for business promotion and community connection in Idabel and McCurtain County.
See hours, photos & directions →
🎅 Valliant paradeValliant Chamber of Commerce serves as the local chamber for Valliant and the western part of McCurtain County, promoting community events and supporting local businesses.
See hours, photos & directions →🌲 In the park
Christmas at Beavers Bend
The Forest Heritage Center inside Beavers Bend State Park holds a free First Saturday program every month, 9 AM to 3 PM. In 2026 the December one is on December 5. Last year it was paired with a Christmas at the Cabin event, with a historic cabin decorated for the holidays.
Call the Forest Heritage Center at (580) 494-6497 to ask what's planned this year.
🌲 Christmas at the CabinBeaver’s Bend State Park Forest Heritage Center is a forestry museum and event venue inside Beaver’s Bend State Park in Broken Bow, where visitors can explore Oklahoma’s forest story through large dioramas…
See hours, photos & directions →
🌲 State parkBeavers Bend State Park – Hochatown Area is one of southeast Oklahoma’s signature outdoor destinations, a lake-and-forest getaway centered on Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River.
See hours, photos & directions →🗺️ Everything on one map
Find it on the map
🛏️ Places to stay
Find a place to stay near Broken Bow
This map shows cabins and vacation rentals around Broken Bow with prices. Add your dates to see what's open.
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💡 Before you go
Tips for seeing Christmas lights
Go after dark
Winter Wonderland lights come on after dark. In December that's early evening.
Pick a Saturday
Santa, carriage rides and vendors are only on select Saturdays. Call the city at (580) 584-2282 to ask which ones.
Bundle up
December nights in the hills can drop near freezing. Bring coats and hats for the kids.
Drive slowly
Deer are out at dusk, and the roads around Hochatown are dark and winding.
Book the magic show early
Hester's holiday show is in a small theater, so buy tickets ahead.
Check before you go
Small-town events can change with the weather. Check the event page or call the host before you head out.
❓ Good to know
Common questions
Are there Christmas lights in Broken Bow, Oklahoma?
Yes. Winter Wonderland lights up Broken Bow City Park every evening from December 5 to 27, 2026. It's free, with Santa and carriage rides on select Saturdays.
Will Christmas lights be up in Broken Bow by Thanksgiving?
Some. Broken Bow lights its Christmas tree and train on November 19, 2026, and last year Hochatown's tree at Choctaw Landing was lit on November 22. The big Winter Wonderland display opens December 5.
When is the Broken Bow Christmas parade?
The McCurtain County Christmas Parade is Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Broken Bow.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Hochatown?
Yes, at Choctaw Landing. Last year it was on November 22. The 2026 date isn't posted yet.
What is there to do in Broken Bow at Christmas?
See the Winter Wonderland lights, catch the Christmas parade, see Hester's holiday magic show in Hochatown, and visit the Forest Heritage Center at Beavers Bend.
Is there a Christmas parade in Idabel?
Yes. Idabel's Christmas parade is December 4, 2026, and its tree lighting is December 1.
Can I get restaurant food or groceries delivered to my cabin in Hochatown?
Yes. Adam's Snack Wagon delivers restaurant food and groceries to cabins around Hochatown. You order on the Snack Wagon app, a driver goes and gets it, and brings it to your door. For groceries, they shop the shelves at Pruett's Food in Broken Bow, and you can type or say your shopping list right in the app.
🧭 Keep planning