Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total		Share Capital	Share Capital Class A Stock	Contributed Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Parent	Non-Controlling Interest
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012			$ 62,181		$ 39,231	$ 399,121	$ 207		$ 4,261
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				$ 1,642
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				(3,625)
Tax (deficiency) benefit from share-based awards					(78)
Share-based expense					5,145
Vested employee share plan awards					(1,891)
Net income (loss)	$ 26,153					25,061			1,092
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)						(5,978)
Currency translation adjustment	1,502	[1]					1,502
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	527,871		60,198		42,407	418,204	1,709	$ 522,518	5,353
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				2,199
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				0
Tax (deficiency) benefit from share-based awards					1,194
Share-based expense					5,694
Vested employee share plan awards					(4,177)
Net income (loss)	9,561					8,826			735
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)						(5,983)
Currency translation adjustment	(2,627)	[1]					(2,627)
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	533,732		62,397		45,118	421,047	(918)	527,644	6,088
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock				3,373
Repurchase of Class A non-voting common stock for cancellation				$ (8,250)
Tax (deficiency) benefit from share-based awards					(277)
Share-based expense					4,653
Vested employee share plan awards					(5,056)
Net income (loss)	2,898					1,962			936
Dividends paid ($0.44 per share)						(6,008)
Currency translation adjustment	17	[1]					17
Balance at end of year at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 525,082		$ 57,520		$ 44,438	$ 417,001	$ (901)	$ 518,058	$ 7,024

[1] Total other comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. No other comprehensive income (loss) is attributable to noncontrolling interests.