Oklahoma City has concert venues for almost every kind of night out, from major arena tours and free outdoor performances to historic theaters and smaller rooms for touring bands. Scissortail Park, Paycom Center, The Criterion, Civic Center Music Hall, Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall and The Jones Assembly are among the most useful current options to know.
Quick Answer
Some of the best current concert venues in Oklahoma City are Scissortail Park for outdoor shows, Paycom Center for major arena tours, The Criterion for Bricktown concerts, Civic Center Music Hall for orchestral and theatrical performances, and Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall, and The Jones Assembly for smaller touring acts and nightlife.
Key Takeaways
- Paycom Center is the current choice for many of Oklahoma City’s largest indoor touring concerts.
- Scissortail Park combines a large outdoor lawn with a seasonal concert series at the Love’s Travel Stops Stage.
- The Criterion, Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall and The Jones Assembly give concertgoers several smaller alternatives to an arena show.
- Bricktown Music Hall should not be treated as a current recommendation without confirming that a new event has actually been scheduled.
Oklahoma City Concert Venues at a Glance
| Venue | Best For | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Scissortail Park | Outdoor concerts and community events | Large outdoor stage and lawn |
| Paycom Center | Major national and international tours | Downtown arena |
| The Criterion | Touring bands, comedians and midsize shows | Bricktown concert hall |
| Civic Center Music Hall | Orchestra, theater, dance and seated concerts | Historic performing-arts complex |
| Tower Theatre | Regional and national touring acts | Historic Uptown 23rd venue |
| Beer City Music Hall | Club-style touring shows and theme nights | Warehouse-style music hall |
| The Jones Assembly | Dinner, drinks and live music | Indoor/outdoor restaurant and concert venue |
Scissortail Park: A Vibrant Outdoor Venue
Scissortail Park has become one of Oklahoma City’s most recognizable outdoor music settings since opening in 2019. The Love’s Travel Stops Stage and Great Lawn host concerts and community events, with the park describing the lawn as having seating capacity for up to 25,000 people.
The park’s grand-opening concert on September 27, 2019, featuring Kings of Leon, welcomed more than 28,000 guests. Its concert series later placed third in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Outdoor Concert Series in 2023, according to Scissortail Park.
The park continues to host seasonal live music, including a 2026 Summer Concert Series running from May through September. General park hours are currently 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, although individual concert schedules and event rules can differ.
Note: Park operating hours are not the same as concert start and finish times. Check the individual Scissortail Park event page before traveling downtown.
Bricktown Music Hall: A Historical Bricktown Venue
Bricktown Music Hall appears in older Oklahoma City concert archives and ticket listings, including performances from the 2010s. However, current major concert listings do not show an active upcoming schedule for the venue as of August 2026.
That makes it a poor choice to present as a dependable current concert destination. If you encounter an event advertised under the Bricktown Music Hall name, confirm the date, address and ticket seller before making plans.
For a verified current concert venue in Bricktown, The Criterion is the more useful option.
The Criterion: A Current Bricktown Concert Venue
The Criterion opened in 2016 at 500 E. Sheridan Ave. in Bricktown and continues to maintain an active concert calendar. The venue says it can accommodate more than 3,000 guests, putting it between small club venues and the much larger Paycom Center.
Its schedule includes national touring musicians, comedians and other live events. The location also makes it easy to combine a show with Bricktown restaurants, bars and other downtown entertainment.
If you want the energy of a sizable touring concert without attending an arena-scale event, The Criterion is one of the clearest choices in Oklahoma City.
Civic Center Music Hall: A Top Performing-Arts Venue
Civic Center Music Hall is one of Oklahoma City’s principal venues for orchestral music, theater, dance and other seated performances. The building opened in 1937 as the Municipal Auditorium and later became Civic Center Music Hall.
| Feature | Details | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| History | Opened in 1937 | Historic downtown performing-arts setting |
| Programming | Orchestra, concerts, Broadway, dance and theater | Best suited to seated performances |
| Location | 201 N. Walker Ave. | Downtown access with nearby parking and dining |
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic states that its concerts normally take place in the Thelma Gaylord Performing Arts Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall unless otherwise noted. The Civic Center itself also hosts touring productions and other musical performances.
This is a particularly strong choice when you prefer assigned seating and a traditional performing-arts environment rather than a standing-room club or outdoor lawn.
Paycom Center: Your Go-To for Major Arena Concerts
The downtown arena formerly known as Chesapeake Energy Arena is now Paycom Center. It remains Oklahoma City’s main arena for major concerts, professional basketball, family shows and other large-scale entertainment.
Concert capacity depends on how the stage and seating are configured. Paycom Center’s official specifications list capacities ranging from 11,555 for a 180-degree concert setup to 16,591 for a 360-degree concert configuration. Its basketball capacity is larger at 18,203, so an 18,000-seat basketball figure should not be presented as the standard concert capacity.
The arena is at 100 W. Reno Ave. in downtown Oklahoma City and has hosted major artists across pop, rock, country and other genres. For visitors looking for the city’s biggest touring productions, this is usually the first schedule to check.
Note: Paycom Center is still operating, but Oklahoma City and the Thunder broke ground on its replacement, Continental Coliseum, on March 26, 2026. The new arena is targeted to open in late summer 2028.
Science Museum Oklahoma: Performances and Private Events With a Twist
Science Museum Oklahoma is better described as an unusual private-event and performance space than as a conventional touring concert venue. Its current rental program includes a theater-style auditorium with a stage for up to 500 guests as well as galleries, meeting areas and full-museum rentals.
According to the museum’s current private-event information, a full museum rental can accommodate 100 to 8,000 guests. Big Game Theory can accommodate up to 500, the auditorium up to 500, the Marshall Gallery up to 150 and several smaller rooms serve more intimate gatherings.
The museum’s interactive exhibits can make a private performance, reception or special event feel very different from a standard ballroom or concert hall. However, visitors looking for a regular touring-music calendar should start with dedicated venues such as The Criterion, Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall, Paycom Center or The Jones Assembly instead.
More Concert Venues Worth Checking in Oklahoma City
Tower Theatre
Tower Theatre at 425 NW 23rd St. is a restored Uptown 23rd performance venue with an active calendar of regional and national acts. It works well for listeners who want a theater setting with more intimacy than an arena.
Beer City Music Hall
Beer City Music Hall at 1141 NW 2nd St. is a smaller warehouse-style venue known for touring performers, themed events and a club-like live-music atmosphere. Visit OKC has highlighted it as one of the city’s active music venues.
The Jones Assembly
The Jones Assembly combines a restaurant, bars and indoor/outdoor concert areas at 901 W. Sheridan Ave. Its official event information describes concerts as generally standing-room general admission unless a specific event is advertised as seated.
Other Local Stages
Oklahoma City’s broader music scene also includes venues such as the Zoo Amphitheatre, Diamond Ballroom, Resonant Head, 89th Street and The Blue Door. Genres, age restrictions and event formats vary widely, so the best venue depends on the artist you want to see and the type of concert experience you prefer.
How to Choose the Right OKC Concert Venue
- For major arena tours: Check Paycom Center first.
- For a large outdoor concert: Look at Scissortail Park’s seasonal schedule.
- For Bricktown live music: The Criterion is a current dedicated concert venue.
- For orchestral music and performing arts: Civic Center Music Hall is the stronger fit.
- For smaller touring bands: Compare Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall and other club-size venues.
- For music plus dinner and drinks: The Jones Assembly combines all three in one location.
- For a private performance or unusual event: Science Museum Oklahoma offers rentable performance and event spaces.
Pro Tip: Check the official venue page before buying tickets. Door times, age limits, bag policies, seating configurations, parking instructions and accessibility arrangements can change from one event to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Hidden Gems in OKC?
For smaller live-music experiences, look beyond the arena to venues such as Beer City Music Hall, Resonant Head, The Blue Door and 89th Street. The Jones Assembly is another distinctive option because it combines food, drinks and indoor/outdoor concerts.
What Concerts Are Coming up in Oklahoma City?
Concert schedules change constantly, so check official calendars for Paycom Center, The Criterion, Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall, The Jones Assembly, Scissortail Park and Civic Center Music Hall. Visit OKC also maintains a citywide concerts and live-music calendar.
What Is the #1 Tourist Attraction in Oklahoma City?
There is no single official attraction universally designated as Oklahoma City’s #1 tourist attraction. Scissortail Park is a major downtown destination, but visitors should choose among the city’s parks, museums, memorials, entertainment districts and other attractions based on their interests.
What Is the Most Famous Concert Venue in the US?
There is no official single “most famous” U.S. concert venue. Madison Square Garden in New York is one of the country’s best-known arenas, but venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and others are also internationally recognized.
What Is the Biggest Indoor Concert Venue in Oklahoma City?
Paycom Center is Oklahoma City’s principal large indoor arena for touring concerts. Its official concert capacities vary by configuration, with the largest listed setup accommodating 16,591 guests.
What Is a Good Concert Venue in Bricktown?
The Criterion is a current dedicated concert venue in Bricktown. It accommodates more than 3,000 guests and hosts touring musicians, comedy and other live events.
Are Oklahoma City Concert Venues All Ages?
Not always. Age policies can vary by venue and by individual event. Some shows welcome all ages while others may be limited to guests 18 or 21 and older. Always check the official event listing before purchasing tickets.
Conclusion
Oklahoma City’s concert scene ranges from large arena tours at Paycom Center to outdoor performances at Scissortail Park and smaller shows at The Criterion, Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall and The Jones Assembly. Civic Center Music Hall is especially useful for orchestral and performing-arts events, while Science Museum Oklahoma offers a more unusual option for private performances and special events. Check the official calendar for each venue before choosing your show, because schedules, seating layouts and entry policies can change throughout the year.
Sources
- Scissortail Park — grand-opening attendance, 2023 USA TODAY 10Best result and outdoor concert information.
- Paycom Center Fast Facts — official arena and concert seating capacities.
- Civic Center Music Hall — venue history and current performing-arts role.
- Science Museum Oklahoma — current private-event spaces and capacities.
- Visit Oklahoma City — current Oklahoma City live-music venues and local scene information.
- City of Oklahoma City — Continental Coliseum groundbreaking and targeted 2028 opening.
