Goodbye 2022: 15 events across Oklahoma where you can ring in 2023

Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman
·8 min read
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It's almost time to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023.

Fortunately, the Sooner State boasts a wide array of events where folks can ring in the new year, from the family-friendly festivities of Opening Night in downtown Oklahoma City to a boy band-theme party in Tulsa to First Day Hikes in state parks across Oklahoma.

Celebrants can even make a New Year's "Memory" at a special limited run of the iconic musical "Cats" in OKC.

Here are 15 New Year's events coming up across Oklahoma:

1. 'Cats'

Andrew Lloyd Webber's ever-popular musical fantasy, which has entranced audiences in more than 30 countries and 15 languages, leaps back into the Civic Center for a special five-performance limited run that's an add-on to the OKC Broadway 2022-2023 subscription season.

Party favors will be handed out as parting gifts to ticketholders leaving the New Year's Eve performance.

With the code OKHUMANE, patrons can get an extra $10 to $20 off tickets to the Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 night performances, plus a portion of ticket sales to those shows will go to the Oklahoma Humane Society.

2. Oklahoma Opry New Year's Eve Eve

Darci Lynne is an Oklahoma-based ventriloquist, singer, actor and "America's Got Talent" winner.
Darci Lynne is an Oklahoma-based ventriloquist, singer, actor and "America's Got Talent" winner.

  • When: 5 p.m. Dec. 30.

  • Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.

  • Information: https://www.ohfo.org.

Oklahoma singing ventriloquist and "America's Got Talent" winner Darci Lynne will headline the Oklahoma Opry's fundraising concert and auction, which will include Kyle Dillingham, Gracee Shriver, Cutter Elliott, Josh Roberts, Kyle and Amanda Earhart, Owen Pickard, Tammy Lee Brasier, Cindy Scarberry, Dustin Jones and the Oklahoma Opry Band and Horn Section.

Also at the event, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Oklahoma Cultural Treasure Wanda Jackson will be honored with the Wanda Jackson Trailblazer Award, which will subsequently be given annually to a person who has been a trailblazer in their field.

3. Circle Cinema’s 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' New Year's screenings

  • When: 8:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31.

  • Where: Circle Cinema, 10 S Lewis Ave., Tulsa.

  • Information: CircleCinema.org.

The Tulsa nonprofit theater's tradition continues, hosted by Tulsa drag artist Adonia. Attendees are urged to come in costume, bring props and participate in the interactive cinematic experience. The pre-film party begins at 8:30 p.m. both nights with a costume contest, drink specials at the bar and music in the Circle Gallery. The 1975 cult-classic movie plays at 10 p.m.

The fun will continue after the New Year’s Eve screening with a ball drop on the big screen and a celebration to ring in 2023.

4. Opening Night

People take selfies Dec. 31, 2018, in front of the ball at Opening Night 2019 in Bicentennial Park in downtown Oklahoma City.
People take selfies Dec. 31, 2018, in front of the ball at Opening Night 2019 in Bicentennial Park in downtown Oklahoma City.

  • When: 7 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31.

  • Where: Various downtown OKC venues, with the finale in Bicentennial Park between City Hall and the Civic Center.

  • Information: https://www.artscouncilokc.com.

It's the 37th year for Arts Council Oklahoma City's sprawling family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration, which this year moves back into Bicentennial Park and several surrounding indoor venues after two years at the Bricktown Ballpark as a COVID-19 precaution.

The festivities will include children's hands-on art activities, the conclusion of the Fresh Paint: OKC NYE Mural Project, food trucks and an array of live entertainment by local performers, including Opera On Tap, OKC Improv, guitarist Edgar Cruz, Perpetual Motion Dance, neo-soul singer-songwriter Sarafina Byrd, magician Joe Coover, funky favorites Shortt Dogg and more.

At 11:58 p.m., the event's signature rising ball starts its ascent and the live countdown begins to midnight, when a huge fireworks show will herald the New Year.

5. Opolis NYE in Norman

  • When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.

  • Where: Opolis, 113 N Crawford Ave., Norman.

  • Information: http://opolis.org.

Oklahoma acts Helen Kelter Skelter and The Laters will play a New Year's Eve concert, which also will include a set by DJ Bi-Furious. The bands are associated with a group of 10 Norman musicians, creatives and young professionals raising funds so they can buy the beloved micro-venue and keep it running as a worker-owned cooperative. 

6. Adèle Wolf's 11th Annual New Year's Eve Bash

Adele Wolf will host her 11th Annual New Year's Eve burlesque and variety show Dec. 31 at The Auditorium at The Douglass.
Adele Wolf will host her 11th Annual New Year's Eve burlesque and variety show Dec. 31 at The Auditorium at The Douglass.

The internationally renowned Oklahoma performer and producer will ring in 2023 with a world-class, Las Vegas-style burlesque and variety revue.

7. Midwinter Night's Dream

  • When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31.

  • Where: La Brasa International Cuisine, inside the historic Kamps building, 1310 NW 25.

  • Information: https://debaucheokc.com.

The De’Bauche modern dance troupe takes over the restaurant with the promise of classy yet titillating performances, plus a midnight countdown with a Champagne toast to 2023.

8. Uptown Get Down

The high-energy lineup for this psychedelic NYE celebration includes orchestral dream punk band stepmom, rock-pop outfit Chair Model and Oklahoma native Luke Dick's Nashville-based New Wave punk group Hey Steve. Champagne will be available to purchase at the bar for a midnight toast, then DJ Ric Float will continue the celebration.

The upstairs and downstairs of Ponyboy will transform into a VIP experience with a dance party from local DJs Spenser Powers and CG Jordan, a free Champagne toast, complimentary snacks and exclusive access to the Tower’s balcony.

General admission is free to folks 21 and older, but since the event usually fills up, there is a $25 “Fast Pass” option for ticket purchasers to guarantee entry and save their spot in an expedited line.

9. New Year's Eve Fantasy Masquerade Ball in Lawton

The glamorous event will include wining, dining and dancing to live entertainment and music from a DJ, culminating in a midnight Champagne toast.

10. Hard Rock Tulsa's 'I Want My NYE'

Drew Lachey performs Dec. 17, 2021, with the band 98 Degrees in front of a sold-out crowd at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.
Drew Lachey performs Dec. 17, 2021, with the band 98 Degrees in front of a sold-out crowd at the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati.

Hard Rock Tulsa brings back its annual New Year's Eve celebration — featuring what's billed as the biggest midnight balloon drop in Tulsa — with a boy band theme and live performances from 98 Degree's Drew Lachey, LFO, O-Town and ATCK. The event is free and open to the public, but guests must be 21 or older to attend.

Across the property in Track 5., the festivities will begin with DJ Morgan Ganem at 6 p.m., followed by live music from Paul Bogart, who takes the stage at 8 p.m. as part of the venue’s ‘90s Country Party. Guests can get complimentary hats, horns and tiaras at both locations.

11. NYE at The Jones with My So Called Band

Dinner service on the heated patio starts at 5 p.m. with a menu of specialty plates, including steak frites and a dessert cart. Then, celebrants head inside at 7 p.m. for live entertainment by Oklahoma’s own My So Called Band.

Partygoers can dance the night away to the group's covers of 1990s and early 2000s favorites while sipping craft cocktails and then finish the year with a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.

12. OKC Thunder vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with his team after hitting the game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 123-121.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with his team after hitting the game winning shot against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City won 123-121.

The Thunder will play its 15th consecutive New Year’s Eve game in front of a friendly home crowd in downtown Oklahoma City. Between Parker McCollum's Dec. 30 concert and the Thunder's Dec. 31 home game, it's a big final weekend to cap Paycom Center's record-breaking 20th anniversary year.

13. 'The Shining: Forwards and Backwards'

As the name indicates, the U.S. cut of the esteemed 1980 Stanley Kubrick film is overlaid with the visuals reversed, an experiment in alternate projection that amplifies the iconic director's trademark uses of symmetry, repetition, mirroring and doubling.

The psychedelic cinematic experience was initially conceived in 2011 at Brooklyn, New York's The Spectacle Theater, and the nonprofit Rodeo Theatre will launch 2023 by showing the palindromic superimposition for the first time in OKC on a big screen.

14. First Day Hikes at Oklahoma State Parks

Bundled up against the cold weather, people participate in a First Day Hike at Foss State Park.
Bundled up against the cold weather, people participate in a First Day Hike at Foss State Park.

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.

15. Cain's Ballroom's Hangover Ball

Ray Wylie Hubbard looks across the stage toward his son, Lucas, who was playing guitar at his father's show in the courtyard at Frontier Texas! on April 23.
Ray Wylie Hubbard looks across the stage toward his son, Lucas, who was playing guitar at his father's show in the courtyard at Frontier Texas! on April 23.

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, Jamie Lin Wilson, Mike McClure, Stoney LaRue, BJ Barham and special guest Ray Wylie Hubbard, with support from Ryan Snipes, Remi Mae, Elle Gorman, Elysha Lemaster, Dierks Canada and Wyatt Wilson.

Features Writer Brandy "BAM" McDonnell has covered Oklahoma's arts, entertainment and cultural sectors for The Oklahoman for 20 years. Reach her at bmcdonnell@oklahoman.com,www.facebook.com/brandybammcdonnell and twitter.com/BAMOK. Support her work by signing up for her See & Do Oklahoma newsletter and subscribing to The Oklahoman.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahomans can welcome 2023 with these 15 New Year's events