Join Arts Council Oklahoma City in the heart of downtown OKC for the 37th annual Opening Night New Year’s Eve Celebration, presented by MidFirst Bank and the Inasmuch Foundation.
Make plans to ring in the new year at Opening Night, Oklahoma City’s largest family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. Opening Night is a place for people of all ages to experience music, comedy, magic, fireworks, and more as they say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!
The festivities begin with the annual Finale 5K presented by Jackie Cooper BMW. The run starts at 3 p.m. on a USA Track and Field certified course through the heart of downtown Oklahoma City. All runners receive a wristband to opening night and the first 200 finishers receive a medal. Registration is $35 before December 31 and $40 on race day. The first 200 people to register receive a limited-edition Finale 5K shirt. You can register at artscouncilokc.com or at Bicentennial Park on December 31 at 1 p.m. Don’t miss your last chance to run a 5K in 2022 while helping raise money for a great cause!
The celebration ramps up at 7 p.m. with entertainment for the entire family. Live acts will captivate audiences across five locations: The Meinders Hall of Mirrors at Civic Center Music Hall, OKC Museum of Art, OKC City Hall, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, and First National Center. Looking to catch some great live music? Orquesta D’Calle, Opera on Tap, Edgar Cruz, Sarafina Byrd, and Lacy Saunders & Greg Zink have you covered with a variety of genres and styles. If you’re looking for non-musical performances, be sure to check out the acrobatic moves of Perpetual Motion Dance, suspend your disbelief with magician Joe Coover, and enjoy some laughs with OKC Improv. Performers will take the stage at 7, 8, 9, & 10 p.m.
The Finale Stage in the center of Bicentennial Park will come alive at 9 p.m. when Shortt Dogg starts counting us down to the new year! Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to ring in the new year with Shortt Dogg’s vast repertoire of music from the 1960s to today. Performances at the Finale Stage will take place at 9, 10, & 11 p.m. leading up to the Fireworks finale show presented by Jackie Cooper BMW, featuring the rising of the ball and one of OKC’s biggest fireworks displays.
The Meinders Hall of Mirrors is the place to be if you’re looking for children’s activities on New Year’s Eve. Swing by and get your face painted by the Bricktown Clowns, participate in an interactive art project, and use a variety of shapes on colors to create an artistic mask that you can take home with you!
If you’re looking for food and drinks, head to Bicentennial Park for several delicious options. Adults ages 21 and older can warm up with wine, beer, and champagne in the heated New Year’s Cheers tent as they make their way from venue to venue. Those looking for a bite to eat can visit one of the dozen food trucks that will be lined up in Bicentennial Park.
You can see the full performance and food truck lineup HERE.
An Opening Night wristband grants attendees access to all event venues and experiences. Wristbands are $8 in advance and can be purchased at OnCue and Dunkin’ locations across the OKC Metro, and on Arts Council Oklahoma City’s website. Wristbands will also be available for purchase for $10 on the night of the event in the OKC Museum of Arts.
Opening Night is produced by Arts Council Oklahoma City. Arts Council Oklahoma City is a nonprofit 501 ©(3) organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and a variety of arts outreach activities that impact underserved populations. Each year, Arts Council OKC events, programs and services reach approximately one million Oklahoma City residents and visitors. Opening Night is sponsored by MidFirst Bank, Inasmuch Foundation, Devon Energy Corporation, Ozarka Water & Coffee Service, Sonic – America’s Drive-in, ICG, OG&E Energy Corporation, Toucan Productions, The Oklahoman, Heartland, The Oklahoma City Thunder, S&S Promotions, Tyler Media, and OKC Parks. For more information, call 405-270-4848 or visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com.
