Holiday Happenings events underway in Ponca City!

Several Ponca City attractions and downtown businesses have partnered to provide family friendly activities and shopping for the holidays.

The Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum, the Ponca City Art Center,  Standing Bear Museum, Ponca City Main Street, the Marland Grand Home and Marland Mansion each have events through December, along with some downtown shops.

Local businesses joining in this year’s Holiday Happening events include the Cherokee Strip Company and the Bag Lady Boutique. Each location will offer a variety of activities, entertainment, discounts and refreshments  through Dec. 24.

The First Saturday Christmas Market is underway Dec. 3 at the Cherokee Strip Company. It and  the Bag Lady Boutique both offer unique items as well as fun shopping atmospheres.

The Standing Bear Museum and Education Center, at 601 Standing Bear Parkway, will feature artist Clyde Otipoby from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. Guests will be invited to visit with the artist about his inspiration and his work process. Otipoby’s has a strong local and national following and is in many public and private collections.

Additionally, the center will host Cowboy Santa on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can listen to holiday stories and enjoy holiday treats. For more information, call (580) 762-1514.

The Pioneer Woman Statue and Museum, 701 Monument Road, will host a free presentation at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10,  by Paula Denson titled “Christmas on the Prairie.” Denson will discuss the holiday celebrations of 19th-century settlers. Denson, a native of Ponca City, is the author of “The Royal Air Force in Oklahoma,” which was published in 2006 by the Oklahoma Heritage Association. She also founded and served as CEO and president of North Central Oklahoma Historical Association, which published a nationally award winning history of North Central Oklahoma in 1996.

Additionally, from noon to 2 p.m., the museum will host Mrs. Claus as she spins her holiday tales. Free cookies and hot cocoa will be served. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a Holiday Open House, shopping and holiday treats.

On Saturday, Dec. 24, the museum will be open for last-minute shopping, featuring a vintage candy selection, stocking stuffers and unique, handmade items. For more information, call (580) 765-6108.

The Marland Grand Home, located at 1000 East Grand Ave., is celebrating its centennial with a 1916 Vintage Holiday Open House starting at  10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. Activities will include a 1916-themed Christmas tree and a vintage toy exhibit. Homemade goodies, treats and gifts will be for sale. The Grand Home 100th anniversary cookbook and commemorative “Whit the Fox” ornaments will also be available.

There will be complimentary hot cider and singing of vintage Christmas carols from 10 a.m. to noon, and a host of costumed Santas from around the world will have stories to tell. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. children can create a handmade “Whit the Fox” Christmas card. There will also be a chance to win a decorative Mary Virginia Marland snowperson (2 p.m. drawing). And from 1 to 3:30 p.m. there will be photos with Santa. For more information, call (580) 767-0427.

Also on Dec. 10, the Ponca City Art Center, located at 819 East Central Ave., is offering a new family activity this year, Grapes & Glazin’.  This is a  guided pottery glazing class for the whole family as they enjoy a glass of grape juice.

Each family will get to paint their own Christmas tree. This fun, no-experience-needed class gives beginners a glimpse into the world of pottery, including its creative process of colors and design, while keeping it easy and fun.

All glaze supplies and firings are included in the $20 price, plus each family will have a one-of-a-kind holiday treasure for years to come. Other handcrafted pottery pieces will be available for purchase, with opportunities to create additional pieces. All work created during this class will be available for pickup one week from its creation date. A reservation is required for both the 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. session of Grapes & Glazin’.

On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Art Center also will host its Second Annual POP UP Shop & Nosh with local merchants and artists to create a unique shopping experience. Guests can browse a stress-free environment and take advantage of great gift ideas, all while noshing on baked goodies and delicious warm beverages. Free gift wrap will be available for all purchases.

Finally, on Tuesday, Dec. 27, the Art Center will host an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. The open house will include holiday treats and drinks, guided historical tours of the Soldani Mansion, live music and voting for the annual Christmas Tree Contest. Both the POP UP Shop & Nosh and the annual Open House offer free admission. Call (580) 765-9746 for more information.