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Festival of Light drew about 165,000 unique visitors in 2024; organizers preview 2025
Summary
Festival of Light organizers told the Chickasha City Council that the 2024 season attracted about 164,900 unique visitors and more than 200,000 total visits; organizers noted growth from North Texas and preliminary planning for 2025.
Matt Stockman, Festival of Light and tourism director, told the Chickasha City Council that the 2024 Festival of Light drew approximately 164,900 unique visitors and more than 200,000 total visits.
Stockman said the event ran four fewer days in 2024 than in the prior season and that, on a daily-average basis, attendance would have exceeded the previous year if the extra days had been included. He described Sunday nights as the festival’s third-busiest night and said the event attracted visitors from outside Oklahoma, including a couple who traveled from Australia.
Stockman said the North Texas market is expanding for the event, naming Burkburnett and other North Texas areas among places that sent visitors; he said Oklahoma City remains a dominant source of attendees. Organizers also reported a lower number of incidents compared with previous years and noted operational changes made during the season. Susan (staff member) distributed attendance handouts during the presentation.
Stockman said the Festival of Light has been a community tradition for more than three decades and said organizers are already compiling highlights and preliminary plans for the 2025 season. The presentation was informational; the council did not take formal action on festival operations during the meeting.
Direct quote from Stockman in the meeting: "Really excited to share with you all the opportunity to discuss the 2024 year, and then also some highlights on what we're looking forward to as we go into 2025," Stockman told the council.
