Oklahomans Make Most Of Final Hours Of 2015

There were several New Year's celebrations Thursday night - from family-friendly, alcohol-free parties, to others with drinks, dancing and live music.

Folks in Claremore gathered downtown to welcome 2016; it's the first time the city has hosted an outdoor New Year’s party.

Fire pits and hot chocolate gave relief from the cold while neighbors watched football playoff games and children's movies.

Some of the teens at the event said it's nice to have a safe place to hang out.

"This is a very big opportunity for the teenagers in Oklahoma, pretty much, to come down to Claremore because there's nothing to do in Claremore. Like, barely nothing. And there's free hot chocolate, so that's good," Tristin Phillips said.

Maddy Harrington said, "It provides, like a safe area where family and friends can hang out together without alcohol."

Many hope it becomes an annual tradition.

Here in Tulsa, one of the many parties was at the Brady Theatre where My So Called Band and Bill Champlin, formerly of the band Chicago, performed.

The owner, Peter Mayo, expected hundreds of people. And even though it’s only in its fourth year, he said he has high hopes for it.

"It lends itself very well to a party. Being able to dance on the historic stage that all the great performers have played on over the years, it’s just a little bit of a treat that we offer to people when we do our parties," he said.