With lighting ceremonies, fan events, and even a dragon, 2024 was one for the books.
See below for our favorite memories throughout the past year!
January
So Fetch
On Jan. 10, the cast of “Mean Girls” – which included Tina Fey, Reneé Rapp, Christopher Brinley, and Angourie Rice – lit the building pink to celebrate the premiere of the film in movie theatres on Jan. 12.
February
Year of the Dragon
ESB rang in the Year of the Dragon with a special lighting and Spring Festival Window Exhibition in the building’s iconic Fifth Avenue Lobby in February. The windows featured a festive installation with artistic imagery and representations of the dragon depicted in an array of colors and art styles.
Love is in the Air
The Empire State Building hosted several Valentine’s Day events to celebrate the most romantic day of the year. These included a private dinner sold to one lucky couple for $10,000.00 on the 102nd Floor Observatory catered by State Grill and Bar, movie screenings of “Clueless” and “Sleepless in Seattle,” and the “Happily Ever Empire” exclusive engagement experience.
The Countess Has Arrived
“Real Housewives of New York” star Countess Luann De Lesseps visited the Empire State Building to tour the Observatory Experience and declare an early spring in a viral Groundhog Day moment.
March
The Empire Strikes Back
Disney and Lucasfilm banded together for a "Star Wars” takeover at the world-famous Empire State Building on March 21. The epic ode to the franchise’s villains began that morning with a celebrity visit from “Star Wars” actor Hayden Christensen, an unveiling of the Vader-themed Fifth Avenue Lobby windows, the debut of displays by Funko POP! and LEGO throughout the Observatory Experience, and an immersive fan experience by Hasbro and Amazon. The festivities culminated with a dynamic "Star Wars” light show.
April
"I AM FINE"
After the April 2024 earthquake in New York City, the Empire State Building quickly jumped to its X account to let the world know it was okay with a simple post of “I AM FINE.” The post instantly went viral as it garnered more than 100K likes, numerous media placements, and even a moment on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Start Your Engines
The Empire State Building teamed up with Mercedes-AMG and WhatsApp for a takeover that spanned from its world-famous Observatory Experience down to its Fifth Avenue front door. Seven-time world champion and Mercedes-AMG Petronas team driver Lewis Hamilton and CEO & Team Principal Toto Wolff visited to kick off the two-day festivities which included a dynamic light show, lighting ceremony, and a street-side F1 car demonstration in front of the building. Watch Lewis take over Fifth Avenue here.
Five Years Strong
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush-Hager celebrated their five-year anniversary on the TODAY show with a lighting ceremony at ESB on April 8. Clad in pink and purple, the co-hosts toured the building and enjoyed New York City’s best views from the iconic 86th Floor Observatory.
A Nice Day for a Red Lighting
Punk rock legend Billy Idol visited ESB for a lighting ceremony and exclusive fan event on the building’s 80th Floor – where he performed acoustic versions of his hit songs with longtime collaborator, Steve Stevens – to celebrate 40 years of his hit album “Rebel Yell.” That night, the building’s world-famous tower lights shined red in Idol’s honor.
May
Game Changer
On May 2, the Empire State Building lit its iconic tower lights in blue, red, pink, and yellow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Sports Foundation. Tennis champion and social activist Billie Jean King, who founded the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974 after her legendary tennis career, visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony.
Top Dog
In an annual tradition, Sage the miniature poodle – Best in Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show – took a victory lap at the Empire State Building Observatory.
The Big Rappel
For the first time in history, the Empire State Building hosted 20 brave supporters of Outward Bound, which included actor Jared Leto and ESRT CEO and Chairman Tony Malkin, in a momentous rappel down the south side of the building. The fundraiser garnered over $3 million for Outward Bound to improve the educational journeys of young people worldwide. See the incredible footage here.
June
Cultural Legacy
The Empire State Building shined its world-famous tower lights in red and gold to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the historic Apollo Theater on June 5. Earlier that day, singer-songwriter & producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and DJ & record producer D-Nice visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony to honor the milestone and toured the Observatory Experience's immersive exhibits.
Power Hour
The Empire State Building lit up red to celebrate Black Music Month, the final season premiere of “Power Book II: Ghost” and the 10 Year Anniversary of the “Power” Universe on June 8.
Rapper and actor 50 Cent, alongside “Power” Universe cast members Larenz Tate, Michael Rainey Jr., Gianni Paolo, Woody McClain, LaToya Tonodeo, Lovell Adams-Gray, Alix Lapri, Caroline Chikezie and Patina Miller, visited the building that day to flip the famous light switch.
NYC Stands for the King
On June 10, the Empire State Building – in partnership with Max – unveiled a “House of the Dragon” takeover for fans at its world-famous Observatory Experience that included a photo opportunity with the iconic Iron Throne, a visit from the show’s cast, and a one-of-a-kind “Game of Thrones” universe photo opportunity on the 80th Floor. A 270-foot dragon landed atop the building’s spire to cap off the incredible partnership on June 16.
Let the Canary Sing
The Empire State Building celebrated legendary singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper as it shined its iconic tower lights in yellow to celebrate her "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" Farewell Tour and the release of her documentary, "Let the Canary Sing," on June 20. Lauper visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony and sit with fans for a special Q&A with 106.7 LITE FM's Cubby Bryant and Christine Nagy on the 80th Floor, in partnership with iHeartRadio.
On Top of the World
Tripadvisor announced that the Empire State Building Observatory was the #1 Attraction in the World in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do, and #1 Attraction in the U.S. for the third consecutive year! Guest reviews said they were wowed by the authenticity of the “World’s Most Famous Building,” its interactive exhibits, and incredible views. Reviewers deem a visit to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience and one of the best things to do in New York City.
July
UK in the USA
On July 13, the Empire State Building shined its world-famous tower lights in white, green, and purple to celebrate the Championships, Wimbledon and The Hill in New York, in partnership with Wimbledon. Grammy Nominated singer, songwriter, actress, and Olivier Award winner Nicole Scherzinger visited the Empire State Building Observatory to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony.
August
A Bite Better
On Aug. 6, the Empire State Building's iconic tower lights shined in navy blue and gold to celebrate Ghirardelli Chocolate's first-ever New York City store. Earlier that day, singer-songwriter and chocolate lover Mary J. Blige visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony and cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the store to the public.
Run It Up
Singer Ciara celebrated the release of her new single “Run It Up” with a tour of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience.
The Bombshells Visit ESB
Cast members “Love Island USA” Rob Rausch, Kordell Beckham, Kaylor Martin, JaNa Craig, Nicole Jacky, Kenny Rodriguez, and Liv Walker, from the sixth season of Peacock’s “Love Island USA,” visited the Empire State Building to celebrate their season’s reunion special in August.
September
Go Crazy
The Empire State Building lit up light blue to celebrate the K-pop supergroup, Le Sserafim's new EP, "Crazy," in September. The event also honored the incredible work of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and granted a wish to a child in need.
Belindependence Day
The Empire State Building lit up its world-famous tower lights in red, white, and green to honor Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 15. GRAMMY-nominated singer and actress Belinda visited the building to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony to honor the holiday.
Antiheroes
On Sept. 17, the Empire State Building shined its world-famous tower lights in purple to celebrate the series premiere of "The Penguin," in partnership with MAX and the Latino Film Festival.
Cast members Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O'Connell, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mike Marino, and Dylan Clark visited the building earlier in the day to flip the switch in a lighting ceremony and tour the building's iconic Observatory Experience.
October
For the Cause
Actress Elizabeth Hurley visited the Empire State Building for a special lighting ceremony to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in partnership with the Estee Lauder Companies' Breast Cancer Campaign. Hurley flipped the iconic switch to turn the Empire State Building pink with a scrolling breast cancer ribbon in the mast before she toured the building's exhibits and iconic Observatories.
Welcome to the Jungle
The jaguar’s out of the bag – Rainforest Cafe came to the “World’s Most Famous Building!” After a fan frenzy erupted from the building’s April Fools’ joke, the Empire State Building and the beloved jungle-themed restaurant teamed up to bring nostalgia to the heart of New York City. From October 3-6, fans visited the Empire State Building’s 86th Floor Observatory for access to limited edition Rainforest Cafe x ESB merchandise and a selection of the restaurant’s most popular food items.
The Climb
More than 650 runners raced up the 1,567 stairs in the 46th annual Empire State Building Run-Up. Ryoji Watanabe of Japan took first place in the Men’s Elite heat with a time of 10:34 and Monica Carl of Germany placed first in the Women’s Elite heat with a time of 13:30.
Blue Bloods
The Empire State Building lit its iconic tower lights in blue on Oct. 18 to celebrate the premiere of the final season of CBS' "Blue Bloods." Earlier that day, the building hosted a lighting ceremony with cast members Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Len Cariou, Vanessa Ray, Abigail Hawk, and Marisa Ramirez, who flipped the famous light switch.
Spill the Feels
The Empire State Building's world-famous tower lights lit up in rose quartz and serenity to celebrate K-pop sensation SEVENTEEN's new album, "Spill the Feels," and the important work of UNESCO on Oct. 28.
Scream Queen
The Empire State Building dressed as a pumpkin in festive orange and green lights to celebrate Halloween on Oct. 31. TV personality, supermodel, and undisputed queen of Halloween Heidi Klum visited the building to flip the light switch and spread the spooky spirit throughout the world-famous Observatory Experience.
November
'Tis the Season
ESB kicked off the holiday season with a special lighting ceremony to celebrate opening night of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes.
Dogs Day Out
Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin celebrated their New York City adventure with a trip to the Empire State Building Observatory in late November.
Small Business Saturday
Tennis star Venus Williams flipped the switch in a lighting ceremony to honor Small Business Saturday, in partnership with American Express.
December
The Six Triple Eight
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry and actresses Kerry Washington and Ebony Obsidian visited the Empire State Building for a special lighting ceremony to honor the premiere of “The Six Triple Eight.”
Music to Light
ESB capped off another year with the annual Music-to-Light Spectacular, set to “Jingle Bells” by Meghan Trainor. To celebrate the show’s premiere, Meghan visited the building’s world-famous Observatory Experience – voted the number one attraction in the world by Tripadvisor travelers – for a lighting ceremony and special Q&A with fans.
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