Empire State Plaza lit in rainbow colors to celebrate Pride Month

Empire State Plaza Lighting Calendar

Empire State Plaza Lighting Calendar
About the Lights at the Plaza

The Empire State Plaza, New York State Capitol, and Alfred E. Smith Building are among several landmarks across the state that illuminate to mark important events and raise awareness.

Launched in December 2021, the LED color-changing lighting system dynamically illuminates the Plaza's architecture with 360 exterior LED lights. This technology is part of a comprehensive lighting project to replace over 95,000 lights at the Plaza with energy-efficient LED fixtures.

Please note: The calendar is updated continually. All dates are subject to change.
 

Upcoming
DateCommemorationColor(s)
June 23Pride MonthPink, White, Light Blue
June 24Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
June 25Pride MonthPink, White, Light Blue
June 26Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
June 27Pride MonthPink, White, Light Blue
June 28Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
June 29Pride MonthPink, White, Light Blue
June. 30Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
July 4Independence DayRed, White, Blue
August 1490th Anniversary of Social SecurityRed, White, Blue
August 31Overdose Awareness DayPurple
October 1Domestic Violence Awareness MonthPurple
October 16Purple ThursdayPurple
October 25World Spina Bifida Day / Occipital Neuralgia Awareness DayTeal
November 3Light the World in Teal for Alzheimer’s Awareness MonthTeal

Past
DateCommemorationColor(s)
June 19JuneteenthRed, Black, Green
June 16World Elder Abuse Awareness DayPurple
June 9Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
June 8Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
June 7Pride MonthPink, White, Light Blue
June 6National Gun Violence Awareness DayOrange
June 4Migraine and Headache Awareness MonthPurple
June 1Pride MonthRed, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple
May 31Tourette Syndrome Awareness MonthTeal
May 30AAPI Heritage MonthRed and Gold
May 26Memorial DayRed, White, Blue
May 17Israel Day on FifthBlue
May 16National Police WeekBlue
May 15Foster Care Month AwarenessBlue
May 14Anniversary of the Buffalo Tops Supermarket ShootingOrange
May 11National Nurses WeekRed
May 10Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness WeekBlue
May 9Lung Cancer Action WeekTurquoise
May 8Child Care Provider Appreciation WeekRed, Blue, Yellow
May 7Public Service Recognition WeekDark Blue
May 6Police Officers Memorial Remembrance CeremonyBlue
May 5Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness DayRed
May 3Light the Night for Fallen FirefightersRed
May 1Mental Health Awareness Month Green
April 30International Denim DayTeal
April 23"Go Orange Day" / National Work Zone Awareness WeekOrange
April 18Commemorating Paul Revere's Famous Ride with "Two Lights for Tomorrow"White, Blue
April 14In honor of the lives lost at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicBlue, White, Red
April 11World Parkinson's DayBlue
April 9Go Blue Day in Honor of Child Abuse Prevention MonthBlue
April 8Fair Housing MonthBlue
April 4Month of the Military ChildPurple
April 2Neurodiversity Awareness MonthBlue
April 1Sexual Assault Awareness MonthTeal
March 31Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV)Pink, White, Light Blue
March 29Vietnam War Veterans DayGreen, Yellow, Red
March 27American Red Cross MonthRed
March 26International Purple Day in Honor of Epilepsy AwarenessPurple
March 25Greek Independence DayBlue, White
March 21Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) AwarenessBlue, Yellow
March 20CHAMP1 Awareness DayPurple
March 17St. Patrick's DayGreen
March 8International Women's DayPurple
March 7Developmental Disability Awareness MonthOrange
March 3Problem Gambling Awareness MonthYellow
February 28International Rare Disease DayBlue, Green, Pink, Purple
February 27Eating Disorders Awareness WeekBlue, Green
February 24Third anniversary of the Russian invasion of UkraineBlue, Yellow - Photos
February 21In honor of the Bibas boysOrange
February 11Teen Dating Violence Awareness DayOrange
February 9National Wear Red DayRed
January 29Lunar New YearRed
January 28New York State Cannabis Sales MilestoneWhite, Teal, Green
January 27Holocaust Remembrance DayYellow
January 20Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. DayRed, Black, Green
January 18Stalking Awareness DayYellow
January 9National Law Enforcement Appreciation DayDark Blue