The City of Fayetteville and Cool Spring Downtown District are pleased to announce the return of the District New Year’s Eve Spectacular for its sixth year, held in Festival Park (335 Ray Ave) on Thursday, Dec. 31 from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. This year, organizers are excited to bring two touring acts to the District’s New Year’s celebration - opener Oceanic and headliner gymclassheroes.

Oceanic is a versatile indie pop band based in Charlotte, N.C. Heavily influenced by a number of genres, they aim to create original music with diversity that enables the listener to see the world in a new way. They’ve already seen many milestone successes in their career, including millions of streams, over 20 Spotify editorial playlist placements, shared stages with bands like COIN & Vacation Manor, noteworthy press coverage, sold-out headline shows of up to 300, a slot on Lovin’ Life Festival this summer (alongside Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, Maggie Rogers, Dominic Fike & more) and many other wins. The band is comprised of three core members: Nathan Wyatt, Jacob Johnson and Sam Goodwin. Wyatt is the lyricist and lead singer, Johnson styles the song with electric guitar, Goodwin plays bass and arranges the music; all members contribute ideas and personality to the arrangement. 

Rising to fame in the 2000s, gymclassheroes reshaped alternative hip-hop with genre-defying hits like “Cupid’s Chokehold” (3x Platinum) and “Stereo Hearts” (5x Platinum). Charismatic frontman Travis McCoy’s unique ability to blend introspection, humor, and swagger in his lyrics made him a standout, while his solo career, highlighted by the global hit “Billionaire,” showcased his versatility and creative growth. In 2025, McCoy relaunched gymclassheroes. Kicking off this reboot, McCoy is leading gymclassheroes into a bold new era, releasing highly anticipated new music and embarking on tours around the world. The project combines reimagined classics with fresh, innovative tracks that explore themes of resilience and transformation. Culturally impactful collaborations, electrifying performances, innovative storytelling and a fearless approach to his craft promise a dynamic and diverse sound that reflects McCoy’s artistic evolution while honoring what made gymclassheroes a beloved name in music. Fans can look forward to an exciting night of music that bridges the familiar with the fresh, solidifying McCoy’s role as a trailblazer in the music world.

Along with these electric headliners, the District NYE Spectacular will feature several other local bands heating up the District Vibe @ NYE stage, energetic DJ dance sets along with festive food trucks and a beer garden, children’s countdown at 9 p.m. and more in an atmosphere alive with color, lights, sounds and entertaining performances. At midnight, as we transition from 2026 to 2027, organizers will raise the signature custom-designed, 18ft multi-colored star that is a symbol of the City of Fayetteville into the night sky, illuminated by a spectacular burst of fireworks, as the community rings in a New Year together.