Tower Lights

Note: Colors are listed from bottom to top as they appear from the street. (H) denotes halo, (F) denotes fins.

How to Become a Lighting Partner

The Empire State Building (ESB) celebrates many cultures and causes in the world community with iconic lightings. Its tower lights recognize key milestones, events, charitable organizations, countries and holidays throughout the world, not political or religion-related events. Outside of its tradition of lightings for the religious holidays of Easter, Eid al-Fitr, Hanukah and Christmas, ESB has a specific policy against lighting for religious figures, religious organizations, and additional religious holidays.

ESB is privately owned by Empire State Building Company, L.L.C. (ESBC); it is not owned or run by the City or State of New York. Its official Lighting Partner program was established after the prior managing agent was replaced in August 2006. Its policies and practices are subject to change in accord with ownership's preferences.

Guidelines and Terms:

• Selection as an ESB Lighting Partner is a privilege, not an entitlement.
• The official organization must apply for the lighting itself; ESB will not consider the applications of individuals who are not on the Board or staff of the official organization. Thus, personal requests on behalf of an organization or event will not be considered.
• ESB does not grant lightings for:
  • Personal requests such as birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.
  • Commercial events or campaigns such as product launches and company logos.
  • Religious figures, religious organizations and additional religious holidays.
  • Political campaigns or political figures.
• ESB is under no obligation to provide specific feedback to any individual or organization regarding the status, merit and/or denial of its application.
• Only the applicants on the original submitted application will receive written notification on official ESB Lighting Partner letterhead, stating whether your application has been approved or denied. Follow-up calls, e-mails and/or faxes are not necessary; please assume that the written notification you receive is the final response from ESB.
• Applying to become an ESB Lighting Partner does not guarantee approval. Moreover, past Lighting Partners must apply each year to be considered and are not automatically guaranteed to be selected again.

If you do not agree to the above terms, your application will not be considered nor submitted through the review process.

Please download and complete the application and return it via e-mail to lightingpartner@esbnyc.com, or fax it to (212) 760-1418.