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The holidays in New York don’t begin quietly and this week’s skyline cue comes courtesy of the Rockettes. On Thursday, November 6, the Empire State Building will illuminate in red and white, topped with a swirling Christmas tree in its mast, in celebration of the opening night of the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
It’s a fitting tribute. The Rockettes return for their 92nd season of the annual production, which runs through January 4, 2026 and anchors the city’s holiday calendar as reliably as Bryant Park’s rink, the Fifth Avenue windows and your first overheard “I cannot believe it’s dark at 4:30.” This year also marks a milestone: the troupe’s 100th anniversary. Founded in St. Louis in 1925, the Rockettes landed at Radio City Music Hall in 1932 and have stayed synonymous with New York ever since.
The centennial brings a few extra touches, from special activations inside Radio City to anniversary merchandise and nods to the troupe’s origins in newly released performance footage. Fans can expect the familiar hallmarks of the show, including the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers,” alongside production updates that keep pace with the city’s appetite for spectacle.
The Empire State Building’s lighting marks the official start of a season when the skyline doubles as a cultural calendar. The tower has long used its LEDs to spotlight major city moments and celebrations and Thursday’s red-and-white palette nods to the Rockettes’ signature holiday aesthetic. With the mast’s animated Christmas tree, it’s an unmistakable signal: New York’s festive stretch has arrived.
Look up Thursday evening for a first flash of holiday color on the skyline, then expect the rest of the city to follow suit quickly. The season moves fast; the Rockettes’ opening night simply gets it started.