Why Sapulpa's Route 66 Christmas Chute Won't Happen In 2025

Sapulpa’s Route 66 Christmas Chute won’t be held next year.

Organizers announced on their website they’re taking a break from the event because of major renovation work happening this year downtown. 2024 was the event's busiest year with a record number of visitors from more than 40 states and a dozen countries.

Why is the Route 66 Christmas Chute taking a one-year break?

The City of Sapulpa is starting construction to improve the downtown streetscapes.

Below are renderings from the City of what the renovations will look like:

"When we started this five years ago, it took us two years to plan year one and it's kind of the same thing,” Jennifer Dilley, Christmas Chute Coordinator, said. “The good news is, we are much smarter about a lot of the things we have to do, but it will be a change, the structure will be a change."

Will this change the Christmas Chute?

The renovations will make the setup easier for volunteers. Instead of manual labor to lift the panels, there will be an electronic system.

"That is a lot of heavy lifting for the crew that does that so that's one of the things we are looking forward to is really trying to work smarter and not harder,” Dilley said.

Will the Christmas Chute be back in 2026?

Yes. Organizers are planning on making the Chute’s return the following year to celebrate the Centennial of Route 66.

“There is going to be so much going on that year, and we are excited to be a part of that and unveil our Route 66 Christmas Chute in 2026 and the hundredth anniversary,” Dilley said. “The new and improved streetscape and chute as well."

For more information, click here.