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 24 | Denim Day (solidarity with sexual assault survivors and victims) | Teal |
| May 1 | Mental Health Awareness Month | Green |
| May 4 | Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters | Red |
| May 8 | Lung Cancer Action Week | Turquoise |
| May 13 | Israel Independence Day | Blue, White |
| May 19 | Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month | Teal |
| May 27 | Memorial Day | Red, White, Blue |
| June 1 | Pride Month | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| June 19 | Juneteenth | Red, Black, Green |
| June 23 | Pride Month | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| June 24 | Pride Month | Pink, White, Light Blue |
| June 25 | Pride Month | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| June 26 | Pride Month | Pink, White, and Light Blue |
| June 27 | Pride Month | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| June 28 | Pride Month | Pink, White, Light Blue |
| June 29 | Pride Month | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple |
| June 30 | Pride Month | Pink, White, Light Blue |
| July 4 | Independence Day | Red, White, Blue |
| September 2 | Labor Day | Red, White, Blue |
| September 11 | 9/11 Anniversary | Blue |
| October 1 | Domestic Violence Awareness Month | Purple |
| October 17 | Purple Thursday for Domestic Violence | Purple |
| November 1 | Light the World in Teal for Alzheimer's Awareness Month | Teal |
| November 11 | "Operation Green Light" for Veterans Day | Green |
| November 20 | Transgender Day of Remembrance | Pink, White, Light Blue |
Past
| Date | Commemoration | Color(s) |
| April 22 | National Crime Victims' Rights Week | Violet, Berry, Navy |
| April 18 | New York State Parks and Historic Sites Centennial (100th Anniversary of NYS Parks as a system) | Dark Green, Gold |
| April 17 | National Work Zone Awareness Week | Go Orange Day | Orange |
| April 12 | National Donate Life Day | Blue, Green |
| April 11 | #SparkTheNight | World Parkinson's Day | Blue |
| April 10 | Fair Housing Month | Blue |
| April 5 | Child Abuse Prevention Month | Blue |
| April 4 | Parkinson's Disease Awareness | Orange |
| April 2 | Autism Awareness Day | Blue |
| April 1 | Month of the Military Child | Purple |
| March 31 | Transgender Day of Visibility | Pink, White, Light Blue |
| March 29 | Vietnam Veterans Day | Green, Yellow, Red |
| March 25 | Greek Independence Day | Blue, White |
| March 21 | World Down Syndrome Day | Blue, Yellow |
| March 19 | Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDC) Awareness | Blue, Yellow |
| March 17 | St. Patrick's Day | Green |
| March 12 | Problem Gambling Awareness Month | Yellow |
| March 8 | International Women's Day and Women's History Month | Purple |
| March 7 | Kidney Cancer Awareness Month | Orange |
| March 6 | Red Cross Month | Red |
| February 29 | International Rare Disease Day | Green, Pink, Blue |
| February 24 | Second Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine | Blue, Yellow |
| February 6 | Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day | Orange |
| February 2 | National Wear Red Day | Red |
| January 27 | International Holocaust Remembrance Day | Yellow |
| January 18 | Stalking Awareness Day | Yellow |
| January 15 | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day | Black, Green, Red |
| January 11 | National Human Trafficking Awareness Day | Blue |
| January 9 | National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day | Dark Blue |