Located just 20 minutes from downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Route 66 Christmas Chute in downtown Sapulpa offers a variety of incredible light displays, local vendors for holiday shopping, and a warm, festive atmosphere that’s sure to make lasting memories.
As you stroll along the historic Route 66, you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hallmark movie.
Rightfully so, this festive experience has quickly gained popularity and has become a beloved holiday tradition for locals and visitors alike.
In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know to plan an amazing outing to the Route 66 Christmas Chute, including tips on how to best enjoy the festive lights, the best things to do, and other fun activities.
So grab your coat, and let’s check out this year’s Route 66 Christmas Chute!
Key Takeaways:
- The Route 66 Christmas Chute is a celebration that combines festive lights and decorations with the historic atmosphere of Route 66.
- It offers a family-friendly and visually engaging experience, making it an ideal holiday event for all ages.
- The Christmas Chute allows visitors to engage with the holiday spirit and the rich cultural heritage of this iconic roadway.
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In This Post:
What Is the Route 66 Christmas Chute?
The Route 66 Christmas Chute is a unique holiday attraction in Sapulpa, Oklahoma that brings together the spirit of Christmas with the historical backdrop of one of the most iconic American highways — Route 66, AKA the Mother Road.
Sapulpa’s Christmas Chute features a series of 800-foot-long canopies/awnings, adorned with dazzling Christmas lights and decorations, creating a magical walkable Christmas experience.
The chute showcases ten different holiday themes, including the iconic Route 66, adding to the charm and nostalgia of the experience.
These ten chutes line both sides of Dewey Avenue in downtown Sapulpa and are nestled amongst local stores and restaurants, many of which are open as you peruse the area.
It’s open daily from 8 am to 10 pm until December 31st, and the event kicks off with a “Lights On!” ceremony in mid-November, marking the start of the Christmas season in Sapulpa.
You can forget about driving through this whimsical wonderland; it’s time to put your walking shoes on and let the magic unfold step by step.
Dewey Street shuts down and transforms into a pedestrian-only zone, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere and take in every delightful detail along the way.
In addition to the chutes, local business owners and vendors will be set up at the event, giving you the opportunity to browse unique holiday gifts crafted with care that speak of Sapulpa’s community spirit.
Last but not least, several food trucks serve nachos, corn dogs, Indian tacos, deep-fried Oreos, hot chocolate, and other fair foods to satisfy your hunger as you peruse the Route 66 Christmas Chute.
What Makes the Christmas Chute in Sapulpa, OK So Special?
I fell in love with Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute for obvious reasons — I’m a Christmas junkie, and I would keep my Christmas tree up all year if my husband let me.
But I fell more in love with it when I learned about what went on behind the scenes.
What truly sets the Route 66 Christmas Chute apart is the fact that it’s run entirely by volunteers and is fully funded by donations from local businesses and individuals.
The city officials and people involved in making this Christmas magic happen also decided to make the event free for the public, making it a shining example of community spirit and generosity.
Another aspect I find truly captivating is the sheer scope of the Christmas Chute.
To create this walkable Christmas wonderland, volunteers meticulously decorate a series of gigantic canopies, resulting in a dazzling display nestled among charming stores and restaurants — perfect for taking photos, admiring the scenery, and doing some Christmas shopping and dining.
The City of Sapulpa released some statistics from 2022’s Christmas Chute to help you put into perspective all of the hard work and dedication that went into the event:
- 25,000 square feet of walkable area
- 1,100 feet of Christmas decorations
- 15,000 feet of garland
- 8,500 icicles
- 1,100 giant bell ornaments
- 35,000 feet of Christmas lights
- 300+ community volunteers
- 30-foot-tall Christmas tree
- 10 Chute themes
In addition, the Route 66 Christmas Chute was named the “Merriest Main Street” on the Today Show! That’s how special and beautiful this event is.
The entire event is a heartfelt reminder of the bond within the community, and it’s a privilege to cherish this unique experience.
Best Things to See and Do at the Sapulpa Christmas Chute
The main highlights of the Route 66 Christmas Chute are rows of vibrant light displays that illuminate the path, each carefully created to represent a different holiday theme.
The ten chute themes are:
- Santa
- Candyland
- Patriotic
- Let It Snow
- Elves
- Rudolph
- Nativity
- Snowman
- Gingerbread
- Route 66
As you go through the different chutes, make sure to take your time and meander through the experience and stop and enjoy the props and photo board cutouts.
I promise that you’ll get the cutest photos for your Christmas cards!
I especially loved the Gingerbread chute because it has small gingerbread houses where the kids can play.
My friend’s son had so much fun playing in the gingerbread house and acting like a gingerbread man.
So much detail goes into creating the handmade chutes, and it’s worth taking your time to get the full effect.
I walked up and down the street twice, admiring the chutes and trying to pick my favorites, which was a challenging task.
Spoiler: my favorites are Candyland, Gingerbread, and the Nativity scene.
In addition to the chutes, you can also rent your own private igloo for two hours with an electric fireplace, Bluetooth speaker, blankets, outdoor fire pits, and more.
It’s the perfect way to take a break to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
For additional entertainment, print off the Christmas Chute scavenger hunt to have a fun activity for the entire family.
As you walk through each chute, try to find hidden objects like Santa’s hat, Cindy Lou, and Santa’s sleigh, and have an exciting family competition.
Alongside the chutes and the scavenger hunts, work your way towards the back of the event to peruse the local pop-up shops and vendors.
They offer crafts and gifts that perfectly capture the Christmas spirit, from homemade jewelry to handmade ornaments and decorations.
You’ll also find the beautiful 30-foot-tall Christmas tree and giant red ornament in this area, which make for great photo opportunities.
Lastly, the Route 66 Christmas Chute puts on special events throughout the duration of the Christmas Chute, such as a holiday cookie crawl, live reindeer, live nativity scenes, photos with Santa Claus and more.
To see the full calendar of events, click here.
Where to Park for the Sapulpa Christmas Chute
There are over 1000 public spots in downtown Sapulpa, so you shouldn’t have an issue finding parking.
Just be mindful of the parking signs to avoid getting towed or ticketed, and keep an eye out for any parking restrictions.
I parked in the parking lot next to Gasoline Alley Classics, a locally owned shop specializing in automotive memorabilia.
Not only was the location convenient, but it also allowed me to check out their unique collection and meet the owner, who showed me around his shop.
This map will help you find street parking and parking lots, along with the location of the chutes.
Helpful Tips for Visiting the Route 66 Christmas Chute
Visiting the Route 66 Christmas Chute is like stepping into a sparkling Christmas paradise, and you can make the most of your visit with these helpful tips.
- The best time to visit the event is after 8 pm. The Chute is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm, and going at this later time allows for a more relaxed stroll through the event with fewer crowds.
- Dress warmly. Before you go, check the weather to make sure you’re dressed comfortably. The winter chill in Oklahoma can sneak up on you, and warm layers will let you fully appreciate the Christmas Chute without shivering your way through it.
- This event is accessible via foot only. As stated above, you cannot drive around the Chute. So make sure you have your ear muffs and scarves ready if you’re visiting on a chilly evening.
- If you have kids, bring an extra set of hands! The Chute is a great way to get into the festive spirit, and it can be hectic with young children running around in tow. Bringing an extra adult or two will help keep them safe and make sure everyone enjoys the event fully.
- Don’t forget your camera! You won’t want to miss out on capturing the lights and memories, so make sure you have your camera ready to go.
- Have fun! After all, that’s what the Route 66 Christmas Chute is all about! Enjoy the sights and sounds of this wonderful event with family and friends.
Final Thoughts: Route 66 Christmas Chute
Visiting the Route 66 Christmas Chute brings the magic of the season to life.
This special place fuses the nostalgic pull of one of America’s most iconic highways with the twinkling joy of holiday lights and festivities.
The glowing canopies, coupled with the cheery atmosphere, take you on a journey to a Christmas wonderland and present the perfect opportunity to make new family traditions while surrounded by the joy and charm that only a small town Oklahoma Christmas can provide.
With its beautiful light displays, festive atmosphere, and fun events, it’s an experience that will leave you feeling merry and bright.
So gather your loved ones, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and head on over to Sapulpa to the heart of Route 66 in Northeastern Oklahoma to experience the spirit of the season! You won’t want to miss it!
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Disha Smith is the founder of Disha Discovers. She quit her job in 2017 to travel the world to explore new cultures and experience new adventures. She has since been to 95+ countries and counting and has lived in South Africa, Thailand, Croatia, and Australia. She has done all kinds of travel ranging from luxury to budget backpacking, and her mission is to inspire others to discover their own sense of adventure and to help them plan a life full of meaningful experiences through travel.