Oklahoma City is set to revive its New Year’s Eve celebrations with a new event, the NYE Party in the Park, scheduled for December 31, 2025. This free, family-friendly gathering will take place at Scissortail Park and is designed to bring the community together for a festive countdown to the New Year.
The inaugural event will feature live music, food and beverage trucks, holiday vendors, and a spectacular drone light show. In a significant shift for the city, this will be the first large-scale New Year’s Eve gathering in downtown Oklahoma City since 2022. The city previously hosted the long-standing Opening Night celebration, which ended in 2023 after 37 years.
At a press conference held on October 29, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt expressed excitement about the new celebration, highlighting its importance for the community. “For the last three years, the [Thunder] game ends, and everybody goes home… We want to enjoy our own,” he stated, referring to the absence of a downtown celebration during the holiday.
The NYE Party in the Park is a collaboration among several organizations, including the Inasmuch Foundation, Scissortail Park Foundation, and Visit OKC. The festivities will commence at 21:30 and will continue until 00:30 on January 1, 2026. The schedule includes a performance by the Oklahoma City-based party band Drive, who will lead the countdown to midnight.
Bob Ross, CEO of the Inasmuch Foundation, emphasized the significance of the event, stating that the drone light show will not only be beautiful but also safe. He noted, “The wonderful thing about the drones is that it’s fascinating and it’s beautiful.”
This new celebration comes after the conclusion of the city’s long-standing Opening Night event, which once attracted thousands to downtown venues for performances and activities. The decision to discontinue Opening Night was made by the Arts Council Oklahoma City, which aims to redirect resources to broader art initiatives.
In reflecting on the past, Mayor Holt acknowledged that Oklahoma City had fallen behind other major U.S. cities that continue to offer vibrant New Year’s Eve celebrations. He stated, “We have every aspiration of being a great American city that offers all of the entertainment options… and we have not since the end of Opening Night.”
The NYE Party in the Park will also serve as a highlight of the holiday season in Scissortail Park. The park is introducing a new seasonal event called the SPARKLE Holiday Walk, which will feature captivating holiday light displays and whimsical scenes. This ticketed experience will run from November 21 to January 4, offering families a chance to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.
Visit OKC President Zac Craig expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration, emphasizing the need for a community gathering to cap off the holiday season. He remarked, “There’s been this void… when you think about New Year’s Eve,” and highlighted the city’s capacity to attract millions of visitors during the festive season.
The NYE Party in the Park is expected to be a vibrant addition to Oklahoma City’s holiday festivities, drawing residents and visitors alike to celebrate together in a joyful environment. For more information on the event and ticket details for the SPARKLE Holiday Walk, visit the official Scissortail Park website.
