Hard Rock rings in 2025 with Tulsa’s biggest NYE bash hosted by Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is bringing back its ever-popular New Year’s Eve bash to ring in 2025. On Dec. 31, Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray will take over Hard Rock Live and celebrate the new year on Tulsa Time with a special performance and a 16,000-balloon drop at midnight. 

The event is free and open to the public, and guests must be 21 or older to attend. 

DJ Queen Jesseen will hit the turntables in the Grand Lobby starting at noon on Dec. 31. Riff’s gets the evening party started with DJ Oreo kicking off at 5:30 p.m., followed by The Vibe at 8 p.m. DJ Morgan Ganem opens Track 5. at 6 p.m. with Travis Marvin taking over at 8 p.m. 

The doors at Hard Rock Live open at 9 p.m. with DJ 2Legit spinning along with a performance by producer/DJ duo “ATCK” featuring DJ Lux and Aaron Space. Opening for acts like Morgan Wallen and Thomas Rhett and sharing the stage with 98 Degrees, Backstreet Boys, O-Town and more, DJ Lux and Aaron Space have been featured in many successful projects and are known for lighting up the stage with a world-class performance. 

At 11:30 p.m., Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray takes the stage for a special performance and countdown to the 16,000-balloon drop at midnight inside the venue. McGrath co-founded the multiplatinum, chart-topping band Sugar Ray in 1988 with lead guitarist Rodney Sheppard. Over the next three decades, Sugar Ray sold 10 million records and notched several smash hits, including “Fly,” “Every Morning,” “Someday,” “When It’s Over” and “Falls Apart.” He’s graced the covers of “Rolling Stone,” “Spin” and “Teen People” and appeared on countless television programs, awards ceremonies and reality shows. 

Guests can enjoy complimentary hats, horns and tiaras inside Track 5. and Hard Rock Live. 

Festivities also include cash drawings from Dec. 27 through Jan. 1. More than $150,000 New Year’s cash and prizes will be awarded, with three grand-prize winners receiving an autographed guitar by Mark McGrath. On Dec. 31, Hard Rock will give away $25,000 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., with one winner taking home $2,500 every hour from 1-6 p.m. On Jan. 1, $2,500 will be given away every hour from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. with $25,000 awarded to one winner at 7 p.m. To be eligible for the drawings, entrants must have at least one active rated play session or One Star Rewards card swipe at any kiosk within two hours of each drawing. Guest can begin earning entries on Dec. 16. 

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa is the flagship property of Cherokee Nation Entertainment. From signature restaurants and gaming to award-winning live entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa offers the best amenities in Oklahoma. Information on upcoming shows at Hard Rock Live, Track 5., Riff’s and Amp Bar is available online at www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com or by calling (918) 384-ROCK. The Hard Rock Live box office is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

About Cherokee Nation Entertainment 

Cherokee Nation Entertainment is the gaming and hospitality company of the Cherokee Nation. With three decades of expertise in providing exceptional gaming experiences, the company owns and operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and nine Cherokee Casinos in Oklahoma, including a racino, three resort hotels, golf course and other retail operations. CNE also operates Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss., one of the most recognizable gaming destinations in the region. For more information, visit www.HardRockCasinoTulsa.com, www.CherokeeCasino.com and www.GoldStrike.com. 

About Hard Rock® 

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 265 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 86,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. In 2022, Hard Rock Hotels was honored as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for the second year in a row among Upper Upscale Hotels in J.D. Power’s North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study. This designation is the fourth consecutive year the iconic brand has been among top brands in this category. HRI is the first privately-owned gaming company designated U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal for the second year. Hard Rock was also honored as one of Forbes’ Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.