Oklahoma City New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown OKC & Bricktown

9 places

Two nights for the Thunder game, the park countdown and Bricktown dinners.

• NYE Party in the Park at Scissortail Park

  The city's free countdown on the park's main lawn, with a live band, food trucks and a drone show just before midnight.

  Tip The drone show started at 11:52 pm in 2025; find a spot on the lawn by 11:30.

  DoDowntownFree3 hr9:30 pm to 12:30 am
• Photo: Steve Morgan · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Thunder New Year's Eve game

  The Thunder traditionally host a Dec 31 home game at Paycom Center, a five-minute walk from Scissortail Park.

  Tip Tipoff was 7 pm in 2024 and 2025, so you are out before 10.

  DoDowntown$$$2.5 hr7 pm
• Photo: TheDoctorWho · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Skydance Bridge

  A pedestrian bridge over I-40 shaped like the state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, lit after dark.

  Tip Good skyline view of Devon Tower before or after the countdown.

  SeeDowntownFree20 minNight
• Photo: OKJaguar · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Bricktown Canal

  A mile-long canal through the old brick warehouse district, lined with restaurants and bars.

  Tip Bricktown's bars are the busiest spot downtown after midnight.

  SeeBricktownFree45 minEvening
• Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Oklahoma City National Memorial

  The outdoor memorial to the 1995 bombing, with its reflecting pool and 168 lit chairs, open around the clock.

  Tip Visit after dark on Dec 30, when the chairs are lit.

  SeeDowntownFree45 minAfter dark

• Vast

  Restaurant and lounge on the 49th and 50th floors of Devon Tower, the highest dining room in the state.

  Tip Vast has hosted ticketed NYE parties on its 49th floor; book dinner for Dec 30 for the same view.

  EatDowntown$$$$2 hrSunset

• Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse

  Bricktown steakhouse that has served a multi-course New Year's Eve dinner since 2000.

  EatBricktown$$$$2 hrDinner

• Tower Theatre

  Restored 1937 movie palace in Uptown 23rd, now a concert venue that throws a ticketed NYE dance party.

  Tip A 10-minute ride north of downtown.

  DrinkUptown 23rd$$3 hrLate
• Photo: rutlo · CC BY 2.0

  Skirvin Hilton

  Oklahoma's oldest hotel, opened in 1911 and restored in 2007, with the Red Piano Lounge off the lobby.

  Tip A 10-minute walk to Paycom Center and Scissortail Park.

  StayDowntown$$$

Destination 02

Lake Hefner

6 places

The city's big reservoir for a windy shoreline walk and a lakeside lunch on Jan 1.

• Lake Hefner Trail

  A paved path around much of the 2,500-acre reservoir, popular for first-day walks, runs and bike rides.

  Tip The park is open 5 am to 11 pm; the east shore by the lighthouse has the most parking.

  OutdoorsFree1.5 hrLate morning

• Lake Hefner Lighthouse

  The small lighthouse at the end of the East Wharf jetty, the lake's landmark and its sunset spot.

  SeeEast WharfFree20 minSunset

• Stars and Stripes Park

  Lakeside park on Hefner's south shore with open lawns, picnic shelters and a stretch of the shoreline trail.

  OutdoorsFree45 minAfternoon

• Martin Park Nature Center

  City nature preserve with short wooded trails along a creek and a small nature center.

  Tip Closed Mondays; check Jan 1 hours.

  OutdoorsFree60 minMorning

• Redrock Canyon Grill

  Lakeside grill at the East Wharf known for wood-fired rotisserie chicken and a patio over the water.

  Tip Call ahead for Jan 1 hours.

  EatEast Wharf$$75 minLunch

• Louie's Grill & Bar

  Casual lakeside bar and grill next to the lighthouse, known for burgers and a deck facing the lake.

  EatEast Wharf$60 minLunch