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
| Date | Commemoration | Color(s) |
| April 19 | National Crime Victims' Rights Week | Blue |
| April 26 | Lesbian Awareness Week | Orange, White, Pink |
| April 29 | International Denim Day | Teal |
| May 2 | Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters | Red |
| May 5 | Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness | Red |
| May 7 | National Nurses Week | Red |
| May 18 | National EMS Week | Yellow, White, Blue |
| May 25 | Memorial Day | Red, White, Blue |
| May 31 | Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month | Teal |
| June 4 | Migraine and Headache Awareness Month | Purple |
| July 4 | Independence Day | Red, White, Blue |
| September 7 | Labor Day | Red, White, Blue |
| September 30 | Every Child Matters Day or Orange Shirt Day | Orange |
| October 1 | Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Purple |
| October 15 | Purple Thursday | Purple |
| November 2 | Color the World Orange for CRPS/RSD Awareness | Orange |
| November 14 | World Diabetes Day | Blue |
| November 25 | International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women | Orange |
Past
| Date | Commemoration | Color(s) |
| April 15 | Child Abuse Prevention Month | Blue |
| April 10 | National Donate Life Day | Blue, Green |
| April 9 | National Sibling Day | Yellow |
| April 7 | Fair Housing Month | Blue |
| April 3 | Month of the Military Child | Purple |
| April 2 | World Autism Day | Red, White, Gold |
| April 1 | Sexual Assault Awareness Month | Teal |
| March 31 | Trans Day of Visibility | Pink, White, Blue |
| March 29 | Vietnam War Veterans Day | Green, Yellow, Red |
| March 26 | International Purple Day in honor of Epilepsy Awareness | Purple |
| March 25 | Greek Independence Day | Blue, White |
| March 24 | American Red Cross Month | Red |
| March 20 | CHAMP1 Awareness Day | Purple |
| March 19 | Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Awareness | Blue, Yellow |
| March 17 | St. Patrick's Day | Green |
| March 15 | Youth Art Month | Purple, Yellow |
| March 12 | Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month | Blue |
| March 10 | Gambling Disorder Screening Day | Yellow |
| March 1 | Women's History Month | Purple |
| February 28 | Rare Disease Day | Pink, Green, Blue, Purple |
| February 27 | Dominican Independence Day | Blue, White, Red |
| February 26 | Eating Disorders Awareness Week | Blue, Green |
| February 17 | Lunar New Year | Red |
| February 9 | International Epilepsy Day | Purple |
| February 6 | National Wear Red Day | Red |
| February 1 | Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day | Orange |
| January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day | Yellow |
| January 19 | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Red, Black, Green |
| January 18 | Stalking Awareness Day | Yellow |
| January 12 | National Human Trafficking Awareness Day | Blue |
| January 9 | National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day | Dark Blue |
| January 2 | Muslim American Heritage Month | Green |