It’s no secret: January brings with it the post-holiday blues. Families and friends return to their daily routines, Christmas decorations are stored away, and resolutions made during cheerier moments now feel a little unrealistic. We’ve all been there. If you’re caught in the slumps, looking ahead might lift your spirits. The coming year is packed full of ground-breaking developments, exciting attractions and the return of beloved annual celebrations. Here’s a glimpse of what’s to come.
New Infrastructure & Developments
Last year, many new attractions made their mark on the Oklahoma landscape. An immersive exhibit opened at the National Cowboy & Heritage Museum, the Tulsa Wave Park at Zink Lake made ripples, and Cherokee Film Studios expanded to include a second soundstage and amenities.
The momentum will continue into 2025.
“We’re blessed to have exceptional municipal and tribal partners across the region,” says Mike Neal, president and CEO at the Tulsa Regional Chamber. “The collaboration that we share is one of the major things that has helped us grow so significantly.”
This spring, the OKANA Resort and Waterpark will welcome its first round of guests. The $400 million world-class resort features 404 rooms and suites, an indoor waterpark, a 4.5-acre lagoon, retail shopping, twelve vibrant culinary experiences and the fourth largest swimming pool in the country.
The resort will serve as a getaway for families and travelers, says Zac Craig, president of Visit Oklahoma City.
“This is going to be a true resort – and really our first resort – in Oklahoma City,” he shares. “I think that it’s going to increase our market share… and drive new activity that we haven’t experienced in the past.”
Boasting 7,000 seats and first-class amenities, the OG&E Coliseum will open in April as a new destination for the Oklahoma City Fair. It will also be a site for sporting events and equestrian shows. David Todd, MAPS Program Manager, describes the facility as state-of-the-art.
“It’s brand new, very functional and spacious,” he says. “I’m confident people will be very pleased with it.”
Both Oklahoma City and Tulsa are expanding their sidewalks to encourage pedestrian activity and accessibility. Downtown Tulsa is a hotspot for these efforts.
“Our new mayor and his administration want to create vibrancy downtown, so people want to live, work and play here,” says Renee McKenney, president at Tulsa Regional Tourism and senior vice president at the Tulsa Regional Chamber.
Construction for the Gilcrease Museum, which closed for renovations in 2021, will be near completion next year. The transformed museum is slated to reopen in 2026, and it will house the largest collection of Native American art in the world.
Developments along Route 66 are also in store.
“We [Tulsa] are now the official capital of Route 66,” says Jonathan Huskey, Tulsa Chamber’s director of communications. “With the 100-year birthday of Route 66 [in 2026], there’s going to be lots of revitalization and innovation.”
The City of Tulsa has established grants to fund the installation of neon signs and murals along the route, as well.
Plans to build a retro-inspired motor court hotel, expand the OSU Medical Complex and open a convention-center hotel will further enhance the route and lead up to the historic anniversary.
“The whole state will really be opening its doors for a massive welcoming ceremony for travelers across the country and globe,” says Neal.
Concerts, Musicals, and Showcases
Oklahoma will welcome a diverse lineup of entertainment in 2025. From sporting events to famous musicals, there’s something to do all year-round.
Basketball fans can snag tickets to Thunder games and even see the Harlem Globetrotters at the Paycom Center. The center will also present standup acts from Tom Segura and Gabriel Iglesias, and the heavy metal band Disturbed.
Legendary PBR riders will show their skills on Jan. 24 – 25 at the BOK Center. The award-winning arena will also host Oilers hockey games and musical performances from Linkin Park and Toby Mac.
The Tulsa Symphony and Oklahoma City Philharmonic will bring classical and pop performances to their audiences. Productions include Symphonies of the East & West, The Music of Tina Turner, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in Concert.
OKC Broadway will showcase a new adaptation of Peter Pan in March, along with the Tony Award-winning production Some Like It Hot in April. Celebrity Attractions will also bring popular musicals to Tulsa, including Les Miserables and Wicked.
Perhaps the most anticipated musical of the year is The Outsiders: A New Musical. Based on the novel by Tulsa author S.E. Hinton, the Broadway show has won four Tony Awards. The cast and lead producer, Angelina Jolie, visited the Outsiders House in Tulsa in 2024.
“The cast and crew fell in love with Tulsa,” says Neal. “From the time that they left in December, 67 mentions of Tulsa appeared in the musical in every single show.”
The Outsiders will launch its North American tour at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in the fall of 2025.
“We can really show off our collaborative spirit to make this an event that no one will ever forget,” says Huskey. “It’s going to be bigger than anyone can imagine.”
Other Okie Goodness
If you just can’t wait to get out of the house, here are some ideas for endless entertainment to curb your post-holiday blues.
• Visit a museum. Get all the arts and culture you could ever need without traveling far at institutions like the First Americans Museum, Philbrook, the OKCMOA, Oklahoma Contemporary and the National Cowboy and Heritage Museum.
• Stop and smell the flowers. A tropical haven awaits at the Myriad Botanic Gardens, and the Tulsa Botanic Gardens offers a colorful rotation of seasonal blooms.
• Spectate a Civil War Demonstration. Historic spots like the Honeyfield Springs Battlefield and Cabin Creek will be the grounds for reenactments.
• Take the family to a city park. Jungle gyms, see-saws and monkey bars are the perfect way for kids to burn off pent-up energy. For a truly fantastical experience, check out the award-winning Gathering Place in Tulsa.
• Shop until you drop. TheOKC Outlet and Tulsa Premium Outlets offer discounted prices on designer goods. For secondhand goods and antiques, Jenks Main Street also has an array of boutiques.
• Encounter bison, deer, birds and other indigenous animals at one of Oklahoma’s wildlife refuges. Scenic spots include the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Pawhuska and the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Lawton.
• Grab a bite to eat. Whether you’re craving a burger from a retro diner or an upscale culinary experience, Oklahoma is home to a bevy of renowned restaurants.
Community Events
Throughout the year, dozens of festivals and gatherings take place. Here are some of the state’s most anticipated events in 2025.
Tulsa
Tulsa IrishFest
(March 7–9)
Tulsa IrishFest honors Celtic arts and culture by bringing together authentic fare, talented musical acts and family-friendly activities for one weekend.
tulsairishfest.org
Mayfest
(May 9–11)
Mayfest is one of Tulsa’s longest running art festivals, featuring juried art competitions, food vendors and crafts galore in the Tulsa Arts District and Historic Greenwood.
tulsamayfest.org
Tulsa Tough
(June 6–8)
Deemed a “three-day party on wheels,” Saint Francis Tulsa Tough is a bicycle race that routes through downtown Tulsa and draws a crowd of excited spectators.
Juneteenth
(June 18–25)
Tulsa Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom from slavery with a themed three-day festival that includes food trucks, a 5K race and live music.
Folds of Honor Freedom Fest
(July 4)
Honor FreedomFest attracts more than 80,000 visitors every year, offering tasty grub, live music and a half-hour-long firework show.
The Tulsa State Fair
(Sept. 25–Oct. 5)
Featuring 11 days of livestock events, musical performances and more, the Tulsa State Fair has become a premier event, attracting 1.15 million people in 2017.
Oktoberfest
(Oct. 16–19)
Voted the #1 Oktoberfest by USA Today, Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa celebrates Bavarian culture, bringing together German food, barrel races, a Dachshund dash and of course, plenty of bier.
Route 66 Marathon
(Nov. 22–23)
Block parties and excitement abound as runners participate in a series of races along the historic Mother Road.
Oklahoma City
Red Earth Festival
(March 21–23)
In celebration of Native American culture, artists gather at the National Cowboy Museum to sell handmade goods, put on demonstrations and lead activities.
Festival of the Arts
(April 24–27)
Talented visual and performing artists create a vibrant marketplace of artisanal goods and crafts.
artscouncilokc.com/festival-of-the-arts
OKC Memorial Marathon
(April 25–27)
In remembrance of the Oklahoma City bombing, thousands of runners put their best foot forward in this community-driven fundraiser, which includes a finish line festival in Scissortail Park.
Paseo Arts Festival
(May 24–26)
Held every Memorial Day weekend, the Paseo Arts Festival showcases 90 juried artists, a food court and live music in the heart of the Paseo Arts District, helping raise funds for the Paseo Arts Association.
Women’s College World Series
(May 29–June 6)
Softball athletes compete in the 2025 NCAA World College Series, an event that is held in Devon Park and includes family-friendly attractions.
DeadCenter Film Festival
(June 11–15)
Filmmakers screen documentaries, horror flicks and more at Oklahoma’s largest Oscar-qualifying film festival.
Fiestas De Las Americas
(Dates TBA)
Fiesta De Las Americas is Oklahoma City’s biggest Latino festival, featuring a spectacular parade, live entertainment, food trucks, a pop-up mercado and more.
historiccapitolhill.com/fdla-1
Oklahoma Regatta Festival
(Dates TBA)
Water sport championships are the centerpiece of the Oklahoma Regatta Festival, and every race finishes with a fireworks show.
All photos courtesy the respective event/company unless otherwise marked
