Oklahoma City's premier resort rolls out a full calendar of festive programming, from a Thanksgiving Day full of family games to a Gatsby-themed New Year's Eve countdown and midnight drone show over OKANA Beach

Oklahoma City, OK (October 21, 2026) – OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark is excited to announce its 2026 holiday lineup, headlined by three new additions: an ice skating rink on the Event Lawn, OKANA's Holiday Village and the resort's inaugural tree lighting on Saturday, November 28. From Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve, guests and locals can gather for holiday buffets, Breakfast with Santa, gingerbread house making, pajama story hours and a midnight drone show, with most programming open to hotel guests and the public alike.

 

“The holidays are about gathering, and this season we're inviting families from across Oklahoma and the region to make OKANA part of their traditions,” said Gerson Velasquez, Managing Director of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark. “Lacing up skates on the Event Lawn, strolling the Holiday Village and lighting our very first tree together are experiences worth the drive, and we hope guests return for them year after year. From Thanksgiving Day through the midnight drone show on New Year's Eve, the season is full of reasons to celebrate.”

 

2026 Holiday Programming at OKANA

  • New Holiday Traditions for 2026: 

    • Ice Skating: For the first time, OKANA is bringing an ice rink to the Event Lawn, inviting guests and locals to lace up skates throughout the season. The rink debuts during the Holiday Village opening on Saturday, November 28, and is open every Saturday in December from 1–9 PM.

    • OKANA's Holiday Village: The resort's new holiday market opens Saturday, November 28, from 5–9 PM with more than 30 holiday vendors, live music, festive food and drinks, family activities and a visit from Santa. The Village returns every Saturday in December from 5–9 PM, pairing holiday shopping with ice skating and live entertainment.

    • Inaugural Tree Lighting: OKANA will light its first holiday tree at 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 28, as the centerpiece of the Holiday Village opening night. The evening includes a special choir performance, live music and an appearance from Santa to kick off the season.

  • Thanksgiving

    • Thanksgiving Day Grand Buffet: On Thursday, November 26, the Sunrise Ballroom hosts a Thanksgiving feast with seatings at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. The spread begins with a cold seafood station and continues with a chef-attended carving station of three selections, traditional sides, classic desserts and a kids' table of family-friendly favorites. Live music, Thanksgiving crafts, photo opportunities and football on screens round out the meal, with a cash bar available. Tickets are $75 for adults and $29 for children ages 4 and up, with reservations through OpenTable.

    • Thanksgiving Dinner at Jack Rabbit: Jack Rabbit serves a $28 Thanksgiving Day plate of turkey thigh confit, cornbread stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, giblet sage gravy, green beans with bacon and cranberry citrus compote alongside its full dinner menu. On November 27 and 28, the restaurant offers a $19 "Leftovers" sandwich layered with sliced turkey, stuffing and cranberry-citrus aioli on toasted brioche, served with fries.

    • Smokehouse Social To-Go Family Meals: Families celebrating at home can build their own Thanksgiving bundle from Smokehouse Social, with smoked or fried turkey, glazed ham and smoked sausage stuffing plus sides including mac and cheese, green beans with bacon, BBQ baked beans, deviled potato salad, deviled eggs and pumpkin pie. Orders are due by November 20 for pickup on Thanksgiving morning by calling 572.213.4281.

    • Thanksgiving Day of Play: Hotel guests can spend November 26 crafting, competing in Minute to Win It challenges, playing family games and testing their strike with turkey bowling. The day builds to a Flag Football game at 4 PM, with the holiday's football games playing across the resort. 

  • Christmas

    • Breakfast with Santa: Jack Rabbit hosts Breakfast with Santa on December 5, 12 and 19 from 8–11 AM. The buffet features an omelet station, a carving station, a Picasso pancake bar for kids, a hot chocolate bar and festive treats.

    • Photos with Santa: Following breakfast on the same Saturdays, Santa welcomes families outside Jack Rabbit from 11 AM–2 PM. Photos are $14.99 and include one printed photo and a digital copy, open to hotel guests and the public.

    • Gingerbread House Making: Every Saturday in December from 2–4 PM, families can decorate their own gingerbread houses at Jack Rabbit, with reservations available online.

    • Pajama Hour: Every Friday and Saturday evening in December from 8–9 PM, little ones can gather by the Lobby Fireplace in their pajamas for holiday story time before bed.

    • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner at Jack Rabbit: On December 24 and 25 from 5–9 PM, Jack Rabbit adds a $39 holiday entrée of Merlot-braised short rib with creamy potato purée, whole grain mustard, red wine demi-glace and honey-caramelized heirloom carrots to its regular menu.

    • Christmas Morning Buffet at Jack Rabbit: Guests can start Christmas morning with a breakfast buffet of hearty favorites and sweet treats at Jack Rabbit.

    • Christmas Day Grand Buffet: The Christmas Day Grand Buffet offers seatings at 12 PM, 2 PM and 4 PM with a festive spread, live music and Santa strolling through the ballroom, with reservations through OpenTable.

    • Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Activities: Resort guests can join festive crafts and games from 11 AM–5 PM on Christmas Eve and all day on Christmas Day, with Santa strolling the resort from 5–7 PM on Christmas Eve. A holiday food drive runs throughout December. 

  • New Year's Eve

    • Noon Year's Eve: Young guests can ring in 2027 early at a kids' countdown celebration on December 31 from 11:30 AM–12 PM, free for resort guests.

    • Sunset Ballroom Buffet Dinner: The Sunset Ballroom hosts a New Year's Eve buffet with seatings from 5–9 PM, featuring soups, salads, seafood, carving stations and desserts. Dinner is $99 for adults and $34.95 for children ages 5–12, and every dinner ticket includes entry to the Countdown to Midnight Party.

    • Countdown to Midnight Party: From 10:30 PM–12:30 AM, the Sunrise Ballroom transforms into a Gatsby-themed celebration with a live DJ, photo booth, dessert station, champagne toast and midnight balloon drop, with wine from sponsor 90+ Cellars. Tickets are $39.99 or included with a dinner reservation.

    • Midnight Drone Show: At midnight, a drone show lights up the sky over OKANA Beach with a ball drop, rising waves, soaring surfers and sparkling champagne.

    • New Year's Dining Specials: From December 26 through January 1, resort restaurants serve limited-time treats, including the Smoke'n Ball Dropper, New Year’s Bubble Snuggle, and more. OKANA Candy Co. adds festive milkshakes, cotton candy and ice cream ranging from 7–19.

 

For more information on OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, or to book online, visit okanaresort.com or call (800) 547-3928.