Hello Tourism Partners,
Just like that... it’s the holidays again and I can’t believe all we accomplished in 2025!
And what a great way to wrap up the year! Tulsa was just included in the Wall Street Journal's "10 Best Places to Visit in 2026"! It's always amazing to see Tulsa on the global stage, especially ahead of the Route 66 Centennial year!
From record-setting debuts, major announcements, and—of course—the TODAY Show, I think it’s safe to say Tulsa tourism has never had a year like this! Oh, and speaking of TODAY, if you missed it during the original broadcast in October, the “Buddy-Up” segment from Dylan, Sheinelle and Al’s stop in Tulsa will re-air on NBC during the Jan. 2 episode of TODAY! Set a reminder and re-live their visit to Route 66, Mother Road Market, Gathering Place and many more!
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If the winter cold leaves you feeling the need for speed, Tulsa’s Expo Square is the place to end 2025 and start 2026. Ring in the new year with the Hyper Tulsa Shootouts, the largest micro sprint racing event in the world. Racing starts Dec. 30 and ends with the final on Jan. 3. Just nine days later, the Super Bowl of Midget racing, Chili Bowl Nationals, moves in for its 40th edition. This year’s field features multiple past Golden Driller winners, from defending champion Kyle Larson to five-time winner Sammy Swindell and 2023-24 champion Logan Seavey. The 2026 winner will be crowned Saturday night, Jan. 17.
Looking ahead to next year, 2026 is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Tulsa will host both the Main Street Now Conference the National Tour Association’s Travel Exchange, all of which surrounding an first-in-history opportunity: the Centennial of Route 66. We’ll celebrate the Mother Road’s birthday all year long, and especially on May 30, 2026 at Capital Cruise, (hopefully) the largest classic car parade in history! Sign up for more information at capitalofroute66.com, and if you have a car model year 1996 or older, register to be a part of this record-breaking effort. Sponsorship opportunities are available as well!
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Finally, thank you. For your partnership, your collaboration and your passion for Tulsa. This year has been our city’s biggest ever, we have even higher expectations for 2026, and none of it would be possible without YOU! So from all of us at Tulsa Regional Tourism...
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Renee McKenney, President
+ Your Tulsa Regional Tourism Team!
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Tulsa Tourism in National News
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Tulsa Tourism in Local News
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Visit Tulsa News
Leisure Travel
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Capital Cruise Registration is Open!
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Registration is now OPEN for Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise: Classic Car Parade! Set for May 30, 2026, it will be the biggest Route 66 Centennial celebration in the country.
Now, we want YOU to be involved!
Are you a classic car enthusiast? Do you know one? Sign up to be a part of this history-making spectacle! All cars model year 1996 and older are eligible. Click here to sign up to be a driver!
Want your business involved with the worldwide phenomenon? Sponsorships are available as well! See the opportunities here, and head to capitalofroute66.com for more info!
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- What: Tulsa’s Route 66 Capital Cruise: World-Record Classic Car Centennial Parade
- When: May 30, 2026
- Where: Route 66 in Tulsa, The Capital of Route 66®!
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Is Your Visit Tulsa Listing Accurate?
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Convention & Visitors Bureau News
Meetings & Conventions
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- Crossland Construction Holiday Dinner
Dec. 4-6
1,100+ room nights
$331.3k estimated Direct economic impact | $568.7k estimated Total economic impact
Arvest Convention Center
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Sports Commission News
Professional & Amateur Sports
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- World of Wrestling Kickoff Classic
Nov. 21-22
300+ room nights
$864.2k estimated Direct economic impact | $1.5M estimated Total economic impact
Expo Square
- Tulsa Soccer Club Adidas Oklahoma Showcase
Nov. 20-23
1,900+ room nights
$2M estimated Direct economic impact | $3.47M estimated Total economic impact
Scheels Sports Complex/MTSC South/Ascension St. John Sportsplex
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Tulsa FMAC News
Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture
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The Lowdown earns spot on AFI top-10 List
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- A month after the end of its first season, the Sterlin Harjo-created The Lowdown was named one of the 10 Best Television Programs by the American Film Institute.
- Called “the critically acclaimed Ethan Hawke-Sterlin Harjo collaboration,” The Lowdown was honored alongside programs such as Adolescence (Netflix), Andor (Disney+), The Pitt (HBO Max) and Severance (Apple TV).
- Though no official announcement has been made, hope continues to grow for a second season of the FX/Hulu project.
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Historic Greenwood District Receives Live Music Grant
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- Tulsa was the recipient of a 2026 Levitt Music Series Communities Grant, which exists to help fund free, outdoor concerts nationwide.
- Partnering with Tulsa Route 66 Main Street, Tulsa Global District, Phoenix District and the City of Tulsa, Greenwood was named one of the grantees and will receive $40,000 per year for 2026-28, for a total of $120,000.
- The grants will be used to present free outdoor concerts in venues such as B.S. Roberts Park, 36th Street North Event Center, Howard Park, Hannah Hall and Whittier Square.
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Tulsa Ballet to Present World Premiere of The Sleeping Beauty
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- One of the most timeless, well-known stories in history will get a brand-new treatment, as the Tulsa Ballet will debut a world-premiere staging of The Sleeping Beauty at Tulsa Performing Arts Center.
- Choreographed by Artistic Director Marcello Angellini, the new production brings “fresh scenery, new costumes and Tchaikovsky’s beloved score” in presenting a new take on the classic tale of Princess Aurora and the evil Carabosse.
- Performances begin with preview night on Thursday, Feb. 12, and finish with a matinee on Sunday, Feb. 15. Tickets are available here!
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