World’s Best 2024
Named the #1 Attraction in the World by Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards.

Upcoming Light Colors
Oct 2026
Celebrity visit
Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive regular updates about special lights.
Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive regular updates about special lights.
You can submit a lighting request through our Tower Lighting Request page. However, please note that the Empire State Building does not grant lightings for personal events (such as birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings), commercial events, political campaigns, or religious figures or events.
Yes, the Empire State Building live cam that faces the tower shows the lights every night, including the signature hourly sparkle. The colors change for holidays, causes and milestones, and the Upcoming Special Lights list further up this page says which ones are scheduled next.
The tower lights shine from sunset to 2 A.M. EST daily.
The Empire State Building selects its tower light colors to celebrate holidays, events, partnerships, and special occasions throughout the year. For the full lighting schedule and the meaning behind each display, please visit the Tower Lights page. To get live lighting alerts, text CONNECT to 274-16 or sign up for our e-mails here.
World’s Best 2024
Named the #1 Attraction in the World by Tripadvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards.
Top U.S. Attraction
#1 Top Attraction in the U.S. in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do.
60K+ Five-Star Ratings
More than 60,000 five-star reviews from visitors around the world.