Oklahoma City Announces Inaugural New Year’s Eve Party in the Park

Oklahoma City is set to revive its New Year’s Eve celebrations with the inaugural NYE Party in the Park, scheduled for December 31, 2025, at Scissortail Park. This free, family-friendly event promises an exciting lineup, including live music, food trucks, a drone light show, and the official countdown to midnight. It marks the return of a citywide celebration for the first time since 2022.

The NYE Party in the Park will commence at 21:30 and continue until 00:30 on January 1, 2026. This event is a collaborative effort supported by the Inasmuch Foundation, Scissortail Park Foundation, Visit OKC, Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership, and Legends Global. The festivities will be centered around the Love’s Travel Stops Stage, where local party band Drive will lead the countdown as well as provide live entertainment.

Mayor David Holt emphasized the significance of this event, noting that it fills a gap left by the discontinuation of the long-standing Opening Night celebration, which had brought the community together for 37 years. “For the last three years, the (Thunder) game ends, and everybody goes home,” Holt stated during a recent press conference. “That’s a real miss. We want to enjoy our own celebrations in Oklahoma City.”

The Opening Night event, organized by the nonprofit Arts Council Oklahoma City, was a staple of the city’s New Year’s festivities from 1986 until its closure in 2023. It featured performances by various Oklahoma artists and culminated in a fireworks display at midnight. Executive Director Angela Cozby explained that the decision to end the event was made to reallocate resources towards broader art initiatives.

The new NYE Party in the Park aims to not only recapture the spirit of community celebration but also to attract visitors. Visit OKC President Zac Craig expressed excitement for the upcoming event, highlighting the potential to bring together families during the holiday season. He noted that last year alone, Oklahoma City welcomed over 24 million visitors.

In addition to the New Year’s Eve festivities, the Scissortail Park team is launching a seasonal celebration called the SPARKLE Holiday Walk. This immersive experience, open from November 21 to January 4, will feature a dazzling display of holiday lights and whimsical scenes, enhancing the festive atmosphere in downtown Oklahoma City.

The NYE Party in the Park and the SPARKLE Holiday Walk together reflect a renewed commitment to providing accessible, engaging events for the community. Bob Ross, CEO of the Inasmuch Foundation, mentioned that the drone light show will be a highlight of the evening, offering a safe yet captivating visual experience.

As Oklahoma City prepares for this exciting New Year’s Eve celebration, residents and visitors alike are invited to join in what promises to be a memorable night ushering in the New Year. For more details, visit the official Scissortail Park website.