New York State Holiday Tree Lighting and Fireworks Festival at the Empire State Plaza

About this event

Celebrate the season at the beautiful Empire State Plaza with FREE activities including the official ceremony and tree lighting, fireworks, demonstrations by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, carvings by The Ice Farm, performances by Tuba Christmas, eggnog and coffee samples from Stewart’s Shops, photo opportunities with Santa Claus at Cornerstone at the Plaza, and more!

2024 Schedule:

• 12:00 - 3:30 p.m.: Open Skating (Ice Rink)
• 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Ice Sculpting by Ice Farm Syracuse (Ice Rink)
• 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.: Carriage Rides (Plaza North End)
• 1:15 - 2:30 p.m.: Rock-and-Skate (Ice Rink)
• 2:00 - 7:00 p.m.: Inside the Snow Globe with Cornerstone at the Plaza featuring a warming area and holiday concessions (Cornerstone at the Plaza)
• 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m.: Meet & Greet with Santa Claus (Cornerstone at the Plaza)
• 4:00 p.m.: Tuba Christmas Performance (Plaza North End)
• 4:30 p.m.: Demonstrations by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club (Ice Rink)
• 5:00 - 5:15 p.m.: Caroling with The Rusty Pipes (Plaza North End)
• 5:15 p.m.: Official Ceremony, Tree Lighting, and Fireworks (Plaza North End)
• 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.: Open Skating (Ice Rink)

https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/tree-lighting