New York State Tree Lighting & Fireworks Festival
Location
About
Presented by Highmark
Sunday, December 6, 2026, 12–8 PM
Empire State Plaza and Cornerstone at the Plaza
Free admission
Celebrate the season at the beautiful Empire State Plaza with free activities, including the official ceremony and tree lighting, fireworks, performances by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club and Holiday Tubas, ice carvings by The Ice Farm, photo opportunities with Santa Claus at Cornerstone at the Plaza, and more!
12:00–3:30 p.m. — Open skating, Ice Rink
12:00–4:00 p.m. — Ice sculpting by Ice Farm Syracuse, Ice Rink
12:00–6:00 p.m. — Inside the Snow Globe at Cornerstone at the Plaza, featuring visits with Santa Claus and a hot chocolate bar
12:00–8:00 p.m. — Food trucks, Plaza
1:00–4:00 p.m. — Carriage rides, Plaza North End
1:15–3:15 p.m. — Rock-and-Skate with Legacy, Ice Rink
2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m. — Meet and greet with Santa Claus, Cornerstone at the Plaza
4:00 p.m. — Holiday Tubas 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 hosted by the News10 Morning Team, tree lighting, and fireworks, Plaza North End
6:00–8:00 p.m. — Open skating, Ice Rink
Please note: Open skating hours during the NYS Tree Lighting and Fireworks Festival differ from normal ice rink hours. See the regular weekday and weekend schedules for rink hours.