Empire State Plaza Events

09/14/2026

This week , we’re celebrating the summer winding down and the start of Hispanic Heritage Month! ☀️🌹

On Tuesday, visit the Governor’s Reception Room in the New York State Capitol for the launch of the Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 exhibit: “Unidos, Somos Mas. Together, We Are More.” The exhibit honors the significant contributions of Hispanic New Yorkers in public service, advocacy, the written word, sports, and arts.

On Wednesday, take advantage of the final outdoor farmers market of this season. Get your corn, squash, and other fresh produce that bridges the gap between summer and fall. Grab a bite to eat from one of the food vendors lining the Plaza and enjoy your lunch in the last of the summer sunshine.🌽🍔

And on Saturday, bring your dancing shoes to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center for the New York State Hispanic Heritage Celebration! Dance to merengue by Miriam Cruz, savor delicious Latin flavors, and celebrate the contributions of New York State’s Hispanic and Latinx communities. 💃

Here’s everything that’s happening This Week at the Plaza! 👇

EVERY WEEKDAY
🏛️ 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm → Free Walk-in Capitol Tours

TUESDAY, 9/15
🖼️ 12 pm → Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 Exhibit: “Unidos, Somos Mas. Together, We Are More.”

WEDNESDAY, 9/16
🌽 10 am → Outdoor Farmers Market & Food Trucks
🏦 11 am → Additional Walk-in Capitol Tour in honor of OGS’ 65th Anniversary

SATURDAY, 9/19
💃 5 pm → Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center

Plan your visit: empirestateplaza.ny.gov

📧 Want more ? Get the weekly lineup of free events, concerts, fitness classes, markets, and more, straight to your inbox: on.ny.gov/42Hbuzo

📲 Stay in the know! Opt in to weather alerts and other emergency updates by texting ESP26 to 888777.

09/12/2026

Please be aware of weekend lane closures at the Plaza. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

🚧Traffic alert:
On Saturday, September 12, 2026, through Sunday, September 13, 2026, the temporary roadway underneath the Empire State Plaza and the Swan Street arterial loop will be closed to traffic.

🔸Westbound traffic exiting the arterial roadway onto South Swan Street will still be open.
🔸Westbound traffic to eastbound traffic will be diverted through the median between the Plaza parking levels and the Swan Street Building.
🔸The South Swan Street lane leading to the arterial roadway, I-787, and Routes 9/20 will be temporarily closed. Traffic can access the eastbound arterial via the Market Street on-ramp.

Please use caution when traveling through the work zones.

09/10/2026

Miriam Cruz, a QUEEN of merengue, is coming to the Empire State Plaza with trumpets, drums, and rhythms you can’t help but move to. 🎶

🟠Hispanic Heritage Celebration ft. Miriam Cruz with Kay Seven Tka, Alex Torres, and DJ BOYBOY
📆Saturday, September 19 | 5 – 9 PM
📍Empire State Plaza Convention Center (Bag policy in effect)
️🎟️FREE
🔗 empirestateplaza.ny.gov/hispanic-heritage-celebration

Enjoy music, dancing, and delicious Latin food while taking in Hispanic culture. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes! 👠

Thank you to our sponsors:
Market 32 and Price Chopper Supermarkets | NY State of Health | Jamz 96.3

Miriam Cruz, REINA del merengue, llega al Empire State Plaza con trompetas, tambores y ritmos que no podrás dejar de bailar. 🎶

🟠 Celebración de la Herencia Hispana con la participación de Miriam Cruz con Kay Seven Tka, Alex Torres y DJ BOYBOY
📆 Sábado 19 de septiembre de 2026 | 5 – 9 PM
📍 Centro de convenciones Empire State Plaza (Política de bolsos en vigor)
🎟️ GRATIS
🔗 es.empirestateplaza.ny.gov/hispanic-heritage-celebration

Disfruta de música, baile y deliciosa comida latina mientras celebras la cultura hispana. ¡No olvides traer tus zapatos de baile! 👠

Agradecimiento a nuestros patrocinadores:
Market 32 and Price Chopper Supermarkets | NY State of Health | Jamz 96.3

09/10/2026

Hops & Harvest Festival was a bold and vibrant celebration of New York’s harvest season and a great summer send-off!

Everyone kicked back and relaxed while sipping bold beers, playing (indoor)lawn games, watching contestants go head-to-head in the pie-eating contest hosted by Times Union restaurant columnist Steve Barnes, and recharged to the best in bluegrass headlined by Leftover Salmon with Bronwyn and Wyatt Ellis. 🪕🍻🎵

P.S. Were you at the festival? Share your thoughts about the experience! Take a 3-minute survey here: empirestateplaza.ny.gov/hops-harvest-survey

Thank you to our sponsor 102.7 WEQX - The REAL Alternative!

09/09/2026

❗LOCATION CHANGE: Hops & Harvest Festival will be moving indoors to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

Get ready for bluegrass, beer, and a face full of pie to cap off your summer fun!

📆 Wednesday, September 9 | 5 – 9 PM
📍 Empire State Plaza Convention Center (Bag policy in effect)
🎟️ FREE
🔗 events.ny.gov/hops-harvest

Please note: Bag policy in effect. No bags larger than 6” x 9” are allowed. Read the full policy: empirestateplaza.ny.gov/bag-policy

Thank you to our sponsor 102.7 WEQX - The REAL Alternative!

09/09/2026

UPDATE: Hops & Harvest Festival will be moved indoors to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Bag policy in effect; no bags larger than 6” x 9” are allowed. Read the bag policy here: empirestateplaza.ny.gov/bag-policy

Get ready to enjoy bluegrass, tasty craft brews, and late summer vibes TONIGHT .

🍻 New York State Hops & Harvest Festival
📆 Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 9 PM
📍 Empire State Plaza
🎟️ FREE
🔗 events.ny.gov/hops-harvest

Featuring bluegrass and jam band legends Leftover Salmon with performances by Bronwyn and Wyatt Ellis. 🪕🎵

Get messy in a pie-eating contest hosted by Times Union restaurant columnist Steve Barnes, beat your friends in co****le and Jenga, and enjoy the final moments of summer with captivating music and great company. 🍻

Thank you to our sponsor 102.7 WEQX - The REAL Alternative!

09/08/2026

Stop by for a special performance by Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company at tomorrow’s farmers market!👯

The performance will be part of Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company’s “Putting Out the Welcome Mat” series, in which the dancers perform on a large mat of interlocking squares. The audience is invited to gather around the mat for an up-close-and-personal experience — no lighting or frills, just lots of movement, innovation, and fun!

Plus, pick up fresh produce, eggs, and bread from local farmers and vendors, and grab a delicious bite to eat from a food truck while you enjoy the last moments of summer. ☀️

🌽 10 AM – 2 PM: Farmers market
🍔 11 AM – 2 PM: Food trucks
👯 12:15 PM: “Putting Out the Welcome Mat” performance by Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
🔗More info about the performance: sinopolidances.org/performance/putting-out-the-welcome-mat-again/
🔗More info about the farmers market: empirestateplaza.ny.gov/empire-state-plaza-farmers-market

09/07/2026

Who says summer ends after Labor Day? We’re keeping those summer vibes rolling this week !

Tonight, see the Plaza lit up in red, white and blue in honor of Labor Day to recognize the contributions of workers across New York and the nation. 🌆

On Wednesday evening, drop by the Hops & Harvest Festival to sip on local craft beers, play lawn games, enter a pie-eating contest, and jam out to legendary bluegrass music all night long. 🍺🎶

Before that, wander through stands packed with late summer produce at the farmers market and catch a special lunchtime performance by Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company. 🩰

And take advantage of the daily free guided tours of the New York State Capitol and contemplate the sculptures and artwork on the Empire State Plaza and Concourse.

Here’s everything that’s happening This Week at the Plaza! 👇

MONDAY, 9/7
️🌆7pm → Labor Day Empire State Plaza Lighting

TUESDAY, 9/8
🏛️ 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm → Free Walk-in Capitol Tours

WEDNESDAY, 9/9
🏛️ 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm → Free Walk-in Capitol Tours
🌽 10 am → Farmers Market & Food Trucks
👯12pm → Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company performance
🍻 5 pm → Hops & Harvest Festival

THURSDAY, 9/10
🏛️ 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm → Free Walk-in Capitol Tours

FRIDAY, 9/11
🏛️ 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm → Free Walk-in Capitol Tours

Plan your visit: on.ny.gov/SATP

📧 Want more ? Get the weekly lineup of free events, concerts, fitness classes, markets, and more, straight to your inbox: on.ny.gov/42Hbuzo

📲 Stay in the know! Opt in to weather alerts and other emergency updates by texting ESP26 to 888777.

09/06/2026

This week brings the best of bluegrass all night long, featuring Leftover Salmon with Bronwyn and Wyatt Ellis. 🪕🎵

🍻 New York State Hops & Harvest Festival
📆 Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 9 PM
📍 Empire State Plaza
🎟️ FREE
🔗 events.ny.gov/hops-harvest

The sun is setting earlier, but we’re hanging onto the last bits of summer . Sip craft beers while recharging to energizing bluegrass and jam band tunes, compete in a pie-eating contest hosted by Times Union restaurant columnist Steve Barnes, play lawn games, and make memories with your family and friends.

Thank you to our sponsor 102.7 WEQX - The REAL Alternative!

09/05/2026

Save the date for New York State's Diwali Festival of Lights, presented by NYSTEC!

🔥Diwali Festival of Lights
📆Saturday, October 24 | 4 – 9 PM
📍Empire State Plaza Convention Center (Bag policy in effect)
🎟️FREE
🔗 events.ny.gov/diwali2026

As the nights get longer and darker, Diwali is our time to come together to celebrate light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Bring your family and friends to enjoy live music and dance, traditional rangoli and henna art, a vendor fair, and fireworks.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Presented by NYSTEC | Maharaja Indian Restaurant | NYSDOH - New York State Health Department | Waymo | MVP Health Care |CSEA Local 1000

Please note: No bags larger than 6” x 9” are allowed. Read the full bag policy here: https://empirestateplaza.ny.gov/bag-policy