Christmas in Broken Bow is a small-town Christmas. There is no giant theme park display here; instead, the season arrives one hometown tradition at a time: a lighted train and tree on the Chamber lawn in November, a month of free lights at City Park, a nighttime parade of glowing floats down Main Street, and quiet, misty mornings on the Mountain Fork River in Beavers Bend State Park. In between, the best part of the day often happens back at the cabin, by the fire.
At Three Creeks Reserve, our cabins sit in the pines just off US-259, between downtown Broken Bow and Hochatown, so every event below is an easy drive from your fireplace. This guide covers the 2026 Christmas calendar we could confirm and the best ways to spend the days in between.
Christmas in Broken Bow 2026: Events and Dates
We checked every date below against the Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce events calendar, TravelOK and the McCurtain County tourism calendar in late October 2026. Small-town schedules can shift with the weather, so confirm before you drive in.
Hometown Christmas Tree and Train Lighting (November 19)
Broken Bow officially starts the season on the Chamber of Commerce lawn downtown, where the town lights its Christmas tree and strings the historic locomotive on display there with lights. The 2026 lighting is on Thursday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. It is a short, friendly community evening and the official start of the holidays downtown.
- When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce lawn, 113 W Martin Luther King Dr, Broken Bow, OK 74728
- Cost: Free
See the Chamber of Commerce on Google Maps
Hochatown Christmas Tree Lighting at Choctaw Landing (Date TBA)
Hochatown lights its own Christmas tree at Choctaw Landing, the resort and casino on OK-259A. The Chamber lists the 2026 lighting for November with the date still to be announced. For reference, the 2025 lighting was on Saturday, November 22, from 3 to 8 p.m. Even after the lighting, the entrance arch is dressed in garland and a big lit wreath for the season, which makes for a festive stop on a drive through Hochatown after dark.
- When: November 2026, date to be announced (2025: November 22, 3 to 8 p.m.)
- Where: Choctaw Landing, 272 OK-259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728
See Choctaw Landing on Google Maps
Winter Wonderland at Broken Bow City Park (December 5–27)
Winter Wonderland is the heart of Christmas in Broken Bow. Each evening, City Park fills with Christmas lights and festive displays: light sculptures along the walking path, a tall lit tree on the lawn and more around the pond. TravelOK lists the 2026 season for December 5 through 27, with the lights on after dark and free admission. The Chamber lists the Winter Wonderland Kick Off for Saturday, December 5. On select Saturdays, the city adds Santa, carriage rides, local vendors and holiday activities; those Saturday dates were not posted yet when we checked.
- When: Nightly, December 5–27, 2026, after dark
- Where: Broken Bow City Park, 107 James Butler Dr, Broken Bow, OK 74728
- Cost: Free
- Good to know: call the park line listed on TravelOK (580-584-2282) for the Santa and carriage-ride Saturdays
See the Winter Wonderland listing on TravelOK
McCurtain County Christmas Parade (December 7)
The 56th annual McCurtain County Christmas Parade rolls through downtown Broken Bow on Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Songs of the Season,” and the floats are lit for the evening, so expect plenty of twinkle lights, holiday music and a few snowmen along Main Street. Bring a blanket and something warm to drink, and park a few blocks off the route.
- When: Monday, December 7, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Downtown Broken Bow
- Organizer: Broken Bow Area Chamber of Commerce (580-584-3393)
See the parade listing on TravelOK
Christmas in Hochatown (December 12)
The McCurtain County tourism calendar lists Christmas in Hochatown for Saturday, December 12, 2026, in downtown Hochatown along US-259. The schedule and activities had not been published when we checked, so watch the event listing for times. The same day, Gallery 259 hosts a Christmas Market from 11 a.m., a good stop for handmade gifts.
More Hometown Christmas Traditions Nearby
- First Saturday at the Forest Heritage Center: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., inside Beavers Bend State Park, the same day as the Winter Wonderland kickoff.
- “A Christmas Carol”: the Broken Bow Theatrical Society stages it December 3–6, 2026, at the Southeastern Idabel campus, according to the county tourism calendar.
- Idabel Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade: December 1 and December 4, 2026, in nearby Idabel, per the Chamber calendar.
Is Broken Bow Worth Visiting at Christmas?
Yes, if you want a quiet, hometown Christmas rather than a big-city spectacle. Broken Bow pairs free nightly lights at City Park (December 5–27, 2026), a lighted Christmas parade on December 7, Christmas in Hochatown on December 12 and empty winter trails in Beavers Bend State Park with private cabins built for slow evenings by the fire.
- Free lights every night: Winter Wonderland runs for more than three weeks, so you do not have to plan your trip around one evening.
- Short drives: the events, Hochatown restaurants and Beavers Bend are all within a few minutes of US-259.
- Quiet trails: December is one of the calmest months in the park, and the Mountain Fork River is open for trout fishing year-round.
- Mild weather: December highs usually land in the 50s °F, with nights near freezing; rain is more common than snow.
- Short days: the sun sets a little after 5 p.m., so plan outdoor time for the morning and the lights for the evening.
- Holiday hours: some restaurants close early or all day on December 24 and 25, so stock the cabin kitchen ahead.
Things to Do Between the Lights
Beavers Bend State Park in Winter
Beavers Bend wraps around the Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Lake, and in December it belongs to the people who come early. Cold mornings often bring fog off the river, the bare cypress and hardwoods stand out against the evergreen pines, and the trails along the water are nearly empty. The park is open 24 hours a day year-round. If the weather turns, the Forest Heritage Center inside the park (open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) tells the story of Oklahoma’s forests with dioramas and chainsaw carvings.
- Address: 4350 OK-259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728
- Hours: park open 24 hours; Forest Heritage Center 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
- Good for: riverside walks, lake overlooks, trout fishing and a scenic drive on the park road
See Beavers Bend State Park on Google Maps
Trout anglers can fish the Lower Mountain Fork below Broken Bow Dam all winter with an Oklahoma fishing license; our Mountain Fork River trout fishing guide covers access points and rules.
A Rainy-Night Show: Hester’s Theatre of Magic
For a cold or wet evening with kids, Hester’s Theatre of Magic on US-259 runs a family magic and illusion show. Showtimes change by season, so check the schedule on hestermagic.com and buy tickets ahead for Christmas week.
- Address: 8825 N US Hwy 259, Broken Bow, OK 74728
See Hester’s Theatre of Magic on Google Maps
Dinner Out in Hochatown
Two easy dinner plans for a lights night:
Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room: wood-fired pizza a short drive up US-259; Google lists 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Expect a wait on weekend nights. See it on Google Maps
Abendigo’s Grill & Patio: steaks and seafood, open Tuesday to Saturday from 4 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday, so plan around the weekly schedule. See it on Google Maps
Holiday hours are usually posted in December, and many places close early or all day on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For more ideas, see our Broken Bow restaurant guide and Hochatown breweries and nightlife guide.
Plan Your Broken Bow Christmas at Three Creeks Reserve
Christmas in Broken Bow is at its best when the evening ends somewhere warm: the lights at City Park or the parade downtown, then a short drive home to a fire in the fireplace and a hot tub under the pines. Browse all of our Christmas cabins in Broken Bow, which shows the homes still open for Christmas week and New Year’s, or our full list of Broken Bow cabin rentals.
Comparing cabins by group size? Our where to stay for Christmas in Broken Bow guide sorts every Three Creeks Reserve cabin from couples to groups of 20. Coming up earlier? See our Broken Bow in November guide and Thanksgiving in Broken Bow. Questions about minimum stays or the right cabin for your group? Contact our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Winter Wonderland in Broken Bow in 2026?
TravelOK lists Winter Wonderland at Broken Bow City Park for December 5–27, 2026, with lights on each evening after dark and free admission. The Chamber lists the kickoff on Saturday, December 5. Santa, carriage rides and vendors join on select Saturdays.
When is the Broken Bow Christmas parade?
The 56th annual McCurtain County Christmas Parade is on Monday, December 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in downtown Broken Bow, with the theme “Songs of the Season.”
Does it snow in Broken Bow at Christmas?
Rarely. December highs usually reach the 50s °F and nights dip near freezing, and rain is more common than snow. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and shoes with good traction for the trails.
Are restaurants open in Hochatown on Christmas Day?
Some are, many are not. Holiday hours are usually posted in December, and several restaurants close early on Christmas Eve or all day on Christmas Day, so shop for your Christmas meal a day or two ahead and confirm any reservation.
Is Beavers Bend State Park open in December?
Yes. The park is open 24 hours a day year-round, and the Forest Heritage Center inside the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, December 5, 2026, the center hosts its First Saturday program from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.