The Empire State Building Holiday Celebrations Include: Radio City Rockettes 100 th Anniversary Exhibits, Visits from Santa, Holiday Décor, Movie Screenings, Pop-ups, Lightings, and More

The Empire State Building (ESB) today announced its Holiday Celebration plans include: holiday décor, classic movie screenings, local pop-ups, festive tower lightings, and a holiday takeover with the Radio City Rockettes to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at New York City’s number one attraction.

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“There is no better place to celebrate the holidays in New York City than at the Empire State Building Observatory,” said Dan Rogoski, General Manager at the Empire State Building Observatory. “This year, New Yorkers and visitors will enjoy the best of the holiday season in our iconic venue as we celebrate 100 years of the Radio City Rockettes.”

Deck the Halls

From the ground floor to its world-famous observation decks, the Empire State Building is covered in festive holiday decorations with glittery lights, tinsel, bows, garland, wreaths, towering Christmas trees, a giant menorah, and official exhibits to celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of the Radio City Rockettes.

Tenants and visitors who pass through the Fifth Avenue Lobby from Monday through Friday in the month of December will hear holiday tunes performed by professional pianists.

100 Years of Rockettes

This holiday season, guests can purchase an official combo ticket to the Empire State Building Observatory that includes access to the building’s immersive museum, 86^th and 102^nd Floor Observatories, a 15% off coupon for the ESB gift shop, and a ticket to select showings of the famed “Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.”

On the Observatory’s 80^th Floor, guests can immerse themselves in all things Rockettes with historical photos, costumes, and props from the “Christmas Spectacular.” Once they make their way to the 86^th Floor Observation Deck, guests can pose in the Rockettes anniversary photo corner that features an over-the-top archway covered in bows, ornaments, and garland, surrounding three larger-than-life wooden soldiers. Observatory guests will conclude their visit in the building’s Fifth Avenue Lobby, where its iconic windows depict classic scenes and colorful costumes from the “Christmas Spectacular.”

The Rockettes visited the building to flip the switch in a tower lighting ceremony and unveil the Empire State Building’s holiday decor.

Festive Film

Fans can purchase tickets to watch classic holiday flicks on the 80^th Floor, which include:

• “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” on Dec. 5 and 13 at 5 p.m.
• “Elf” on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets to these holiday features will include themed snacks and drinks, and full access to ESB’s second floor museum and Observation Decks.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town

On Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21, Santa Claus himself will collect wish lists and pose for photos with Observatory guests in his dedicated corner on the building’s 80^th Floor. More information on Santa visits can be found online.

Something Sweet

Local confectioner Doughnuttery will take residence on ESB’s 86^th Floor Observatory on Nov. 21 to offer holiday themed treats every day from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Light up the Sky

The Empire State Building’s iconic tower lights will shine throughout the holiday season with dedicated lightings for Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. The building will also debut its annual Holiday Music-to-Light Spectacular. Text CONNECT to 274-16 to receive real-time information about ESB’s tower lightings.

The Empire State Building’s world-famous Observatory Experience underwent a $165 million reimagination that added a new interactive museum with nine galleries, bespoke host uniforms, and a new 102^nd Floor Observatory with New York City’s best views. The iconic Observatory Experience was voted the number one top attraction in New York City in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do for the fourth consecutive year.

Hi-res imagery can be downloaded here.
More information about Holidays at the Empire State Building can be found online.

About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (ESRT: NYSE), soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience created an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102^nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86^th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and is ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fourth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel List.

Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.

Source: Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.
Category: Observatory

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