Empire State Building hosts Hocus Pocus on 30-31 October

Empire State Building will host Hocus Pocus Movie Night in New York City on 30 and 31 October 2026. The Halloween programme combines a film screening on the 80th Floor with access to the 86th and 102nd Floor Observation Decks.

Hocus Pocus Movie Night runs on two October dates

The operator has scheduled two screenings on each date. The early screening admits guests from 4.30pm, with the film beginning at 5.15pm, while the late screening admits guests from 7.45pm for an 8.30pm start.

The programme places the film inside the skyscraper rather than treating the building as a backdrop. Guests can watch Hocus Pocus on the 80th Floor, then reach the observation decks as part of the same Halloween experience, as set out in the October 2026 programme.

The 30 and 31 October dates fall within Halloween weekend and give visitors two fixed opportunities to combine a cinema event with views over New York City. The operator describes the screening as a limited-time experience, so the event is separate from a standard observation-deck visit.

From the 80th Floor film to Midtown views

The building’s visitor route includes an immersive museum before the viewing areas. Its galleries cover the construction of the skyscraper, its Art Deco design, its place in New York City history and its appearances in popular culture.

The 86th Floor deck is open-air and provides views across the city, while the 102nd Floor deck is enclosed. The combination gives the movie night a clear connection to the building’s public visitor spaces: the film occupies the 80th Floor, and the skyline experience continues on two higher levels.

Empire State Realty Trust owns the building, which rises above Midtown Manhattan and has stood since 1931. The observation-deck experience includes a dedicated guest entrance, nine museum galleries and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observation Deck with floor-to-ceiling windows, according to the building background.

That layout matters for the October programme. Visitors are not being directed only to a temporary room for a film: the listed experience links the 80th Floor screening with the museum and both observation decks, making the building’s vertical sequence part of the visit.

Visiting Empire State Building: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• Hocus Pocus Movie Night takes place on 30 and 31 October 2026 at the Empire State Building, with early and late screenings listed for each date.
• The event uses the 80th Floor and includes access to the 86th and 102nd Floor Observation Decks; it is a special programme rather than a regular daytime visit.
• The landmark stands in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and the visitor experience includes museum galleries before the observation decks.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.

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Frequently asked questions about Empire State Building

When does Hocus Pocus Movie Night take place at Empire State Building?

The screenings are scheduled for 30 and 31 October 2026, with two screening times on each date.

What is Empire State Building?

It is a skyscraper and visitor attraction in Midtown Manhattan with museum galleries, an open-air 86th Floor deck and an enclosed 102nd Floor deck.

Where is Empire State Building and how do you get there?

It is in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The visitor experience has a dedicated guest entrance, followed by museum galleries and the observation decks.