100% chance of snow at Devon this Saturday

This Saturday, Dec. 22, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the Devon Rotunda will transform into a winter wonderland. Everyone is invited to this week's Saturdays with Santa to play in snow flurries on the lawn and visit with life-sized snowmen who will help the little ones create their own snowman ornament or snowflake to take home. 

While you're there, don't forget to write a letter to the North Pole and enjoy a story told by Mrs. Claus herself. ...and as always, Santa will be there to take pictures with families and hear everyone's Christmas wish!

Don't forget to share your family's favorite holiday photos on Devon's Saturdays with Santa Facebook page. To learn more, visit DowntownInDecember.com.

Devon Ice Rink provides entertainment for your holiday guests

We really can't think of a better way to entertain holiday guests than at the Devon Ice Rink. As Downtown in December’s signature event, the ice rink is expected to attract more than 30,000 thrill-seeking skaters and will offer live entertainment and special guests on the weekends. If you need a snack, the Ice Cafe in the Myriad Gardens restaurant space will provide sweet treats and hot cocoa to keep you warm.

On Friday nights, a live DJ heats up the ice with popular and holiday musical favorites and will be taking your requests throughout the evening. Special guests and local radio personalities will join us on the ice as they broadcast live from the rink on Saturday nights.

Admission is $10 per person and includes skate rental. Hours of operation vary, so visit DowntownInDecember.com for complete details.

Chesapeake Snow Tubing offers thrills to holiday adventure-seekers in Bricktown

Cruise down one of the country’s largest manmade snow tubing slopes at Chesapeake Energy’s Snow Tubing at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. This snowy adventure is one of the most popular events at Downtown in December, and this year, the slope is better than ever.

We know that Oklahoma weather can be unpredictable, so the snow tubes and snow are even provided in sunny weather. For those seeking less of an adrenaline rush, a second, smaller slide will have children and moderate thrill seekers dashing through the snow.

Chesapeake Snow Tubing is open daily between Dec. 20 and Jan. 5, except for Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary day-to-day and admission is $10 for each 90-minute session. Session size is limited, but guests may book private parties in advance by calling (405) 218-1000. Session times, holiday hours and online ticket sales are available at DowntownInDecember.com.

Water taxi rides are free during December

All aboard for an adventure cruise on a Bricktown Water Taxi! On designated evenings during December, all ages are welcome to enjoy a fun-filled float down the beautifully-adorned Bricktown canal free of charge, courtesy of the Downtown Business Improvement District. Guests can board the boats on Mickey Mantle Drive across from the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, just west of the third-base entrance.

Hours of Operation
Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 30
6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Put a little zip in your holiday

Head to the Oklahoma River to enjoy one of Downtown in December's newest holiday events. Santa’s Adventures on the Oklahoma River in the Boathouse District (725 S. Lincoln Blvd.) will feature the SandRidge Santa Zip, a 200-foot zipline, Polar Paddle, a kayak activity for kids ages 3-9, five large Holiday bounce inflatable toys, mechanical surfing machine, a candy cane rock climbing wall, and Rudolph’s Launch extreme air jumper!

The activities are open through Jan. 5, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Special New Year’s Eve hours are 9 a.m. to midnight, Dec. 31. Cost is $10 (single zip line + all attractions) or $20 for an all-day pass (unlimited zip line + all attractions.)

To learn more, visit downtownindecember.com.

It's giveaway time!!! For your chance to win a family 4-pack of tickets to Santa's Adventures, complete this survey.  We'll notify the winners by phone. Good luck!

Make your holiday memories at the historic Skirvin

Visit the historic Skirvin Hilton this season to see its magically-decorated lobby and enjoy many of their festive holiday events. Guests will have the opportunity to have breakfast with Santa at the Park Avenue Grill, holiday tea, a special holiday buffet on Christmas and much more.

For more information, visit downtownindecember.com or call the Skirvin Hilton at (405) 272-3040.

Yucatan hosts TACOPOCALYPSE tomorrow

Bricktown's newest restaurant, Yucatan Taco Stand Tequila Bar and Grill, is throwing a TACOPOCALYPSE party tomorrow, Dec. 21, 2012. What better way to celebrate the Mayan Apocalypse than at a joint named after the Mayan homeland? ...the Yucatan Peninsula!

The party will feature contests, specials, live music and more. Join us for the following activities:

• Raging Inferno Hot Taco eating contest. Entrants will be served increasingly hotter tacos in succession. The person who can make it farthest down the hot taco line without drinking anything will be declared the champion and be rewarded handsomely.
• Raffles. For every taco you order, you will have a chance to win random prizes and be entered in games.
• Live Music. Ryan Dorman & Kevin Miller of the Clever Guns will play from 9:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
• WILD 104.7 will have a DJ on site earlier in the evening.
• Tequila! Yucatan leads the state with a massive collection of 75+ tequilas.

Keep up with all the Yucatan Taco Stan happenings on the Yucatan Taco Stand Facebook page! 

Thunder up!

Hey Thunder fans! Mark these dates on your calendar:

Thursday, Dec. 20 - OKC Thunder, at Minnesota Timberwolves, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 25 - OKC Thunder at Miami Heat, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27 - OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 29 - OKC Thunder at Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 31 - OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 2 - OKC Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 4 - OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 6 - OKC Thunder at Toronto Raptors, 12 p.m.
Monday, Jan 7 - OKC Thunder at Washington Wizards, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan 9 - OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 7 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 11 - OKC Thunder at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

Visit nba.com/thunder to view the full schedule.

Go support your OKC Barons

It's true... there's never been a better time to check out an OKC Barons game. Mark these games on your calendar so you don't miss the action:

Friday, Dec. 21 - OKC Barons vs Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 22 - OKC Barons vs Texas Stars, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27 - OKC Barons at Texas Stars, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 28 - OKC Barons vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 31 - OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 1 - OKC Barons at Houston Aeros, 5:05 p.m.
Friday, Jan 4 - OKC Barons at Grand Rapids Griffins, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Jan 5 - OKC Barons at Milwaukee Admirals, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 6 - OKC Barons at Chicago Wolves, 4 p.m.
Friday, Jan 11 - OKC Barons vs. Charlotte Checkers, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 12 - OKC Barons vs. Charlotte Checkers, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 13 - OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars, 4 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 18 - OKC Barons vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 19 - OKC Barons vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m.

Visit okcbarons.com to view the full schedule.

Ring in the New Year downtown

Ring in the New Year at Opening Night - OKC's favorite family-oriented New Year's Eve celebration. Opening Night takes place in nine venues in Downtown Oklahoma City, with 16 stages full of the state's best talent - beginning at 7 p.m..  Stake your claim in the Myriad Gardens by 11:30 p.m. to enjoy the finale show and fireworks that will officially launch 2013! Get the full event schedule here!

An Opening Night wristband allows attendees into all the venues, all night long. Wristbands are $8 in advance or $10 at the event, with children 5 and under admitted free. Wristbands are available at 7-Eleven Stores of Oklahoma, metro Homeland stores, Science Museum Oklahoma, and available beginning December 6 at MidFirst Bank locations.

For more information about Opening Night, visit artscouncilokc.com.

Other downtown news

Devon Energy's Larry Nichols named Oklahoman of the Year
Devon Energy Corp. Executive Chairman Larry Nichols has been named Oklahoman of the Year by Oklahoma Today magazine.

Project changes show Oklahoma City's public input getting heard
The process of adding public input into the development of downtown Oklahoma City may not always be neat, it may not make everyone happy, but recent changes to big projects show debate and feedback are getting heard.

Deep Deuce corner in Oklahoma City sells for $1.4 million
A prime corner of Deep Deuce — NE 4 and Walnut Avenue in Oklahoma City — has been acquired for $1.4 million by businessman Bob Meinders, who has plans to renovate part of the property into retail with an upstairs apartment.

Celebrations planned in 2013 for 20th anniversary of Oklahoma City's MAPS vote
A series of celebrations are planned in Oklahoma City during 2013 to recognize the 20th anniversary of the first MAPS vote.

Revised plans submitted for downtown Oklahoma City elementary, garage
Two downtown projects destined to reshape the skyline moved one step closer to construction starting with revised plans approved Wednesday for a new downtown elementary school and a garage that will include apartments and retail.

"Saxy" Santa [Video]
Sax Playing Santa, Justin Young plays to some passersbys outside Chase Tower. This is an Arts Council Arts Moves event called Shade of Blue, "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

Other downtown events

Art Moves, Presented by Devon, various locations, ongoing

Dec. 20-23- Cirque du Soleil: Dralion, Chesapeake Arena

Dec. 20 – Film: Orbit, 7:30pm, OKCMOA

Dec. 20- Urban Sprouts Story Time, Downtown Library

Dec. 21 - OKC Barons vs Texas Stars

Dec. 21- Film: A Christmas Story, 6:30pm, The Paramount OKC

Dec. 21- Film: It’s a Wonderful Life, 8:30pm, The Paramount OKC

Dec. 22 - Devon's Saturdays with Santa, 10am-5pm, Devon Rotunda

Dec. 22 - OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars, Car Giveaway/Post Game Player Autographs

Dec. 22- Film: It’s a Wonderful Life, 6:30pm, The Paramount OKC

Dec. 22- Film: A Christmas Story, 8:30pm, The Paramount OKC

Dec. 23 - Free Crystal Bridge Sundays, 6-9pm, Myriad Gardens

Dec. 26 – Downtown Abbey Season 3 Premiere, 3 and 5:30pm, OKCMOA

Dec. 27- OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks, Chesapeake Arena

Dec. 27- Film: Christmas Vacation, 6:30pm, The Paramount OKC

Dec. 27-30 – Stars in Shorts, OKCMOA

Dec. 28 - OKC Barons vs. San Antonio Rampage

Dec. 29- Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Civic Center Music Hall

Dec. 30- Rickey Smiley Holiday Show, 7pm, Civic Center Music Hall

Dec. 31 - Continential's Free Movie Mondays - Home Alone, Harkins Theatres in Bricktown

Dec. 31 - OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars

Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve/Barons Jersey Giveaway

Dec. 31- OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, Chesapeake Arena

Dec. 31 - Opening Night

Jan. 2- OKC Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 4- OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 6- Winter Bridal Show, 12-5pm

Jan. 9- OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 11- OKC Barons vs. Charlotte Checkers

Jan. 12- Oklahoma Philharmonic: Pristine Visions, Civic Center Music Hall

Jan. 12- OKC Barons vs. Charlotte Checkers

Jan. 12- UFC: Strikeforce, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 13- OKC Barons vs. Texas Stars

Jan. 15-20- Jekyll and Hyde, Civic Center Music Hall

Jan. 16- OKC Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 18 - OKC Barons vs. San Antonio Rampage

Jan. 19- George Strait: The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, Chesapeake Arena

Jan. 19- Jeff Mangum, 7pm, ACM@UCO Performance Lab

Jan. 24-April 21 – Photorealism Revisited Exhibition, OKCMOA

Jan. 25-26- The Music of Michael Jackson, Civic Center Music Hall

Project180 Update

Don't frown at the construction downtown... let us show you how to get around!

Visit the Project180 website or check them out on Facebook and Twitter

Be informed and prepared for traffic changes downtown by joining the Project180 mailing list

Get the Project180 weekly map here

Check out the Downtown Traffic Advisory updates. This list provides a summary of downtown streets expected to be under construction for the next few weeks.

Connect with Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc.

Like us on Facebook: Downtown OKC, Inc.
Follow us on Twitter: @DowntownOKCInc

211 North Robinson
Suite 225
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
405.235.3500

downtownokc.com