Oklahoma’s Christmas Chute Will Not Be Returning in 2025

With all of the snow falling, many of the areas in Oklahoma that still have their Christmas decorations up seem even more magical. However, one of Oklahoma's biggest Christmas attractions announced just before the winter weather arrived that they will be skipping a year of festivities in 2025.

Sapulpa's Route 66 Christmas Chute Announces Closure For 2025

The Christmas Chute in Sapulpa, Oklahoma is one of the biggest highlights during the holiday season. Shortly after the 2024 Christmas season wrapped up, the Chute's Facebook page released a statement about their plans for 2025. They wrote:

"In 2025, The City of Sapulpa is scheduled to begin a massive streetscape redesign in downtown. Years in the making, the new streetscape on Dewey Avenue will transform the pedestrian experience of downtown Sapulpa. With this undertaking, the Christmas Chute Committee has decided the best way forward is to take a pause in 2025."

Although they'll be closed for 2025, they plan on being right back open during the holiday season in 2026. They continued:

"Have no fear, we will be back in 2026 to celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of Route 66 with the best Christmas Chute yet!"

Year-Long Closure Could Be Detrimental To Small Businesses

The Sapulpa Route 66 Christmas Chute is made up of different businesses that line Route 66. During the holiday season, they create a walkthrough "chute" decorated in a Christmas or holiday theme and sell merchandise to visitors and tourists.

One concern about the closing is the effect it will have on the several small businesses that depend on the annual event to sustain. One of the affected business owners wrote on the announcement about her concern, saying " I get it, it will be beautiful when it’s finished, but surviving the process is the thing."

Other business owners also chimed in on the long-term effects the year off may have, writing: "So many small businesses do so well during the Christmas chute, including my small business. Why put so much time and money into such a big event for Sapulpa to just shut it down?"

Some folks suspect that the plan to miss a year contributed to Sugar Lllamas in Sapulpa deciding to close their doors permanently the same day as the Chute's announcement.

Oklahoma's Community Reactions To The News

@dailydoseoflocal Took a little drive to visit the BEST spot for Christmas festivities in Oklahoma!!🎄 The Route 66 Christmas Chute is well worth the trip, PLUS the shops stay open for hot cocoa, shopping or warming up! 📍Sapulpa, OK #dailydoseoflocal #christmas2024 #route66christmaschute #christmaschute #christmaschutesapulpa #sapulpaoklahoma #sapulpachristmaschute #tulsachristmaslights #christmaslightshow #tulsachristmas #tulsaoklahoma #taiyaki #oklahomachristmas ♬ original sound - Mason Ramsey

The overall reaction to the news has been a resonating "don't do it!" Many folks believe that now that the event has finally become so popular in the state, it would do more harm than good to put a pause on things. Instead there have been a few suggestions such as:

"I agree with other comments to relocate it to another street and keep it going. It had the feel of a European old store front Christmas market this year. I hope the updating keeps that nostalgic old town aesthetic."

"Suggestion: Put the chute on Water and Park streets. The side street stores, I am sure would love it!"

"I would say the business should suggest them taking bids from experienced contractors that work through the night! I lived in New York for two years where with all street construction this was the norm. All done beautifully and finished in record time. Oklahoma needs to get with the program."

"With construction all year it seems it will hurt the businesses all year and then not to have the chute will be terrible. That said I am happy that the city is making Sapulpa a really cool place for the future. I just think it would be an awesome finale to have the chute even if it is smaller."

Do you think pausing for a year for renovations is a good or bad decision for the Sapulpa Christmas Chute? What would you suggest instead? Leave your comments in the app.

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