Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photos, Video: Empire State Building's Dazzling Holiday Light Show
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 21, 2013
Modified Dec 21, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Empire State Realty Trust
View all 28
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 21, 2013
Modified Dec 21, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In October, the Empire State Building debuted its new tower antenna LED lights with a fun Halloween light show on the majestic skyscraper. Last night, the building kicked off the first of five holiday light shows. Here's what it looked like:
The remaining shows start at 7 p.m. and run from tonight through Christmas Eve, December 24th. According to a press release, "Viewers will have the rare opportunity to help select ESB's lights for Christmas Eve. The ESB Holiday Light Show Team will review YouTube views, iHeartRadio posts, Facebook comments, Tweets, and other social media comments to select the Christmas Eve performance, again with Lite fm on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. EST."
"Millions of New Yorkers and more than one million people worldwide viewed the last Empire State Realty Trust and Clear Channel light show on Halloween," Anthony E. Malkin, Chairman, President and CEO of Empire State Realty Trust, said. "The Clear Channel and Empire State Realty Trust team looks forward to the first year of what we hope will be an annual holiday treat for revelers around the world. ESRT and Clear Channel continue to collaborate on these music-to-light show spectaculars to create anticipated, annual memories for major holidays such as Christmas, Halloween and the Fourth of July. Our light shows are becoming a beloved tradition, something to share for years to come."
The Empire State Realty Trust says, "Best light show public viewing locations include, but are not limited to, the Brooklyn Bridge, Bryant Park, The Highline, Hoboken/Jersey City Waterfront, Hudson River Esplanade, Long Island City, Madison Square Park, Tribeca Park, Union Square, Jackson Square, and the Williamsburg Waterfront."
Tagged
empire state building
light show
original
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
An excellent and diverse month of concerts are in store for October.
By
Hank Shteamer
Published Oct 2, 2026
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
There is now an (un)official verification process for those who can claim the title of city resident.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
October is spooky season at the movies in New York City
By
Emma Stefansky
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
By
Quinn Moreland
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .