From OKC Thunder basketball to Blake Shelton in concert, 20+ Oklahoma New Year's events
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It's almost time to bid farewell to 2023 and greet 2024.
New Year’s Eve in downtown Oklahoma City seems sure to be less festive since Arts Council OKC opted this year to discontinue its long-running Opening Night celebration. There doesn’t seem to be anything that will take the place of the family-friendly performing arts showcase and midnight fireworks display.
Still, celebrants can find plenty of fun options across Oklahoma for ringing in the new year, including the OKC Thunder’s annual Dec. 31 home game, the Oklahoma City run of “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” and First Day Hikes in more than 20 state parks dotting the Sooner State. Plus, many music venues across the state will host NYE shows featuring touring or homegrown acts.
Here are 20+ New Year’s events across Oklahoma where you can celebrate the end of 2023 and the start of 2024:
‘Tina – The Tina Turner Musical’
When: Dec. 26-31.
Where: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
Information: https://www.okcbroadway.com/tina.
OKC Broadway will close out 2023 with the stage biopic of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, who died in March at age 83. Featuring her most beloved hits, the musical shares the inspiring journey of the Nutbush, Tennessee, native who broke barriers to become a Grammy Award-winning icon and one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. The show is recommended for people ages 14 and older.
OKiCON, Norman
When: Dec. 29-31.
Where: Embassy Suites Norman, 2501 Conference Dr.
Information: https://www.okicon.org.
Say sayōnara to 2023 at an anime convention with special guests, panels, cosplay and more.
Damon Wayans Jr.
When: Dec. 29-31.
Where: Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E California.
Information: https://www.bricktowncomedy.com.
The actor and comic will perform two stand-up shows a night during his OKC run.
Circle Cinema’s 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' New Year's screenings, Tulsa
When: Dec. 29-31.
Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S Lewis Ave., Tulsa.
Information: https://www.circlecinema.org.
The Tulsa nonprofit theater's tradition continues, hosted by local drag performers. Attendees are urged to come in costume, buy $5 prop bags and participate in the interactive cinematic experience. The pre-film party begins at 9 p.m., and the 1975 cult-classic movie plays at 10 p.m.
Noon Year's Eve Eve at OKC Museum of Art
When: 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 30.
Where: Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive.
Information: https://www.okcmoa.com/events.
With museum admission, adults and children can participate in scavenger hunts and sketching activities in the galleries, create a crown and partake in punch, cookies and a balloon drop at noon in the lobby. Children 17 and younger always receive free admission to the museum.
Oklahoma Opry New Year's Eve Eve
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 30.
Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.
Information: https://www.ohfo.org/tickets.
Oklahoma singing ventriloquist and "America's Got Talent" winner Darci Lynne will headline the Oklahoma Opry's fundraising concert and auction, which will include homegrown performers Kaitlin Butts, Lucas Ross and Jason Young.
Also at the event, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson will present the Wanda Jackson Trailblazer Award to country singer and Ameripolitan Music Award winner Leona Williams.
The Oklahoma Opry in October launched its $10 million Brick by Brick Capital Campaign so it can convert the 114-year-old warehouse at 19 E California Ave. into its new music hall and school.
OKC Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Paycom Center, 100 W Reno.
Information: https://www.nba.com/thunder/schedule.
The Thunder will play their 16th consecutive New Year’s Eve game in front of a home crowd in downtown Oklahoma City.
Uptown Get Down
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23.
Information: https://towertheatreokc.com.
The high-energy lineup for this psychedelic 21-and-older NYE celebration will include Thunder Jackson, stepmom, and Blue Morrison. Tape will be the event’s host, Nia Moné will lead the midnight toast, and the disco after-party will continue until 2 a.m.
Upstairs at Ponyboy, Gold Lincoln and Friends will keep the party going all night long.
WinStar New Year’s Eve with Blake Shelton, Thackerville
When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Lucas Oil Live, WinStar World Casino and Resort, 777 Casino Ave, Thackerville.
Information: https://www.winstar.com/events.
The Tishomingo-based country music superstar will ring in 2024 with a performance at WinStar’s state-of-the-art, 6,500-seat arena that opened to audiences in October.
The “Neon Light” hitmaker will cap the casino’s four-day, four-show, end-of-year showcase, which also includes concerts by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s Lynyrd Skynyrd on Dec. 28, comedian Ron White on Dec. 29 and country band Midland on Dec. 30.
Ole Red Two-Steppin’ New Year’s Eve, Tishomingo
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Ole Red Tishomingo, 214 W Main St., Tishomingo.
Information: https://olered.com/tishomingo.
Shelton’s hometown restaurant, bar and venue is offering ticketholders a chance to dance to the end of 2023, with two-stepping, performances by Emily Rhyne & Oklahoma Legacy and pop and dance music from 95.7-KKAJ DJ Mike Elroy.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m., attendees will be served a scratch-made dinner including a dinner salad, Ole Red’s famous Honey Bee Chicken, cheddar smashed potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and a slice of cheesecake. The music starts at 9 p.m.
Riverwind Casino New Year’s Eve with Midland, Norman
When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Showplace Theatre, Riverwind Casino, 1544 State Highway 9, Norman.
Information: https://www.riverwind.com/entertain/showplace-theatre.
After performing at WinStar on Dec. 30, the Grammy-nominated country band from Dripping Springs, Texas, will play a NYE concert at another Chickasaw Nation-owned casino.
Haus Lab NYE 2024
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW 2.
Information: https://beercitymusichall.com.
The event will feature house music all night long into the New Year. The lineup for the 21-and-older show includes Sydney Lee, Ric Float, GEM and Fayze.
Mike Hosty’s New Year’s Eve Show, Norman
When: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: The Deli, 309 White St., Norman.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/michaelhosty.
The beloved Oklahoma one-man band will play his usual Sunday night show at The Deli, a 21-and-older, nonsmoking bar on Campus Corner, serving up his original songs and free Pizza Shuttle slices.
New Year’s Eve at The Jones with My So Called Band
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: The Jones Assembly, 901 W Sheridan Ave.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/TheJonesOKC/events.
Partygoers can dance the night away to the popular Oklahoma tribute bands covers of 1990s and early 2000s favorites. Bump Worldwide is also on the lineup for the 21-and-older event. Celebrants can buy food from the patio walk-up window and partake in a midnight Champagne toast.
Adèle Wolf's New Year's Follies
When: 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Civic Center Music Hall’s Little Theatre, 201 N Walker.
Information: https://www.adelewolf.com.
The internationally renowned Oklahoma performer and producer will ring in 2024 with her annual world-class, Las Vegas-style revue. Champagne will be available for a midnight toast. The show is recommended for people ages 18 and older.
Bluebonnet Bar NYE with Jared Deck, Norman
When: 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Bluebonnet Bar, 321 E Main, Norman.
Information: https://www.bluebonnetbar.com.
The Americana singer-songwriter will play a hometown show with no cover for music fans ages 21 and older.
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza featuring Branjae, Tulsa
When: 10 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: LowDown, 108 N Detroit Ave., Tulsa.
Information: https://www.lowdowntulsa.com.
The Tulsa soul singer and her talented band will help music lovers ring in 2024 at a 21-and-older event that features dancing, a charcuterie grazing table, dessert table, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Opolis New Year’s Eve 2024, Norman
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Opolis, 113 N Crawford Ave., Norman.
Information: http://opolis.org.
The Wednesday Band, Olympus Mons and Cowboy Jr. will play an all-ages NYE show at the Norman micro venue.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers Return for New Year’s Eve, Weatherford
When: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: JC Cowboys Event Center and Concert Hall, 23894 S Frontage Road, Weatherford.
Information: https://www.facebook.com/jccowboyseventcenter/events.
The popular Oklahoma-Texas Red Dirt band will perform in concert for fans 18 and older. Edmond country singer-songwriter Kyle Rainer will kick off the show, and the venue will open at 4 p.m. so attendees can get appetizers or dinner from the onsite steakhouse.
Hard Rock Tulsa's 2024 Release Party with Bret Michaels
When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, off Interstate 44 at exit 240.
Information: www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
The doors open at Hard Rock Live with “All the Cool Kids Presents: DJ Lux with Jeffrey James” performing with DJ 2Legit on the turntables. At 11:30 p.m., Poison frontman Bret Michaels takes the stage for a special performance and countdown to the 16,000-balloon drop at midnight inside the venue.
The event is free and open to the public, but guests must be 21 or older to attend.
The casino-resort will feature live music across seven stages on Dec. 31, starting at noon with DJ Queen Jesseen in the Grand Lobby.
First Day Hikes at Oklahoma State Parks
When: Various times on Jan. 1.
Where: State parks across Oklahoma.
Information: https://www.travelok.com/articles/first-day-hikes-at-oklahoma-state-parks.
More than 20 state parks across Oklahoma are participating in America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative, which takes place in all 50 states and encourages individuals and families to stay active with a hike outdoors.
From the Osage Hills to Lake Texoma, people are encouraged to dress warmly, put on sturdy shoes, explore the diverse natural wonders of Oklahoma's state parks — and, hopefully, start on the path to a healthy habit.
Scissortail Park’s First Day Walk
When: 11 a.m. Jan. 1.
Where: Scissortail Park Love’s Travel Stops Stage, 415 S Robinson.
Information: https://scissortailpark.org/events/first-day-walk-2024.
Start off the New Year with a walk in the park, presented by the Greater Oklahoma City Parks and Trails Foundation. The public is invited to congregate with their dogs, their children, their family and friends at the northeast corner of the downtown OKC green space on Oklahoma City Boulevard between Hudson and Robinson for a walk around the park.
Cain's Ballroom's Hangover Ball, Tulsa
When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 1.
Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
Information: https://www.cainsballroom.com.
The legendary Tulsa venue continues its tradition of starting the New Year with a strong dose of Red Dirt, Texas country and Americana music. This year's lineup includes Cody Canada, Robert Earl Keen, BJ Barham, Mike McClure, Jamie Lin Wilson, John Fullbright, Elle Gorman, Elysha Lemaster, Dierks Canada, Stella Hales and Wyatt Wilson.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Year's Eve events in Oklahoma to ring in the new year
