NYC Empire State Building to shine for Chinese Lunar New Year

The top of the Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, New York, will shine in red and gold at sunset on Tuesday and Thursday, celebrating Chinese Lunar New Year that falls on Feb. 16 this year.

Chinese Consul General in New York, Zhang Qiyue, will flip the switch to light the model of Empire State Building on Tuesday in a lighting ceremony in honor of the Spring Festival, according to a media alert issued by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.

The lighting scheme is created by the Fantastic Art China and China Central Academy of Fine Arts. A window display of the Year of the Dog designed by China Arts and Entertainment Group will also be installed in the lobby windows on the Fifth Avenue.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is the biggest Chinese celebration of the year and celebrations traditionally continue for at least 15 days.

In the Chinese culture, Feb. 15 of 2018 will mark the end of the Year of the Rooster and people will embrace the Year of the Dog. The dog is a symbol of loyalty in China.

Soaring 1,454 feet (about 443 meters) above Midtown Manhattan, the Empire State Building was named America's favorite building in a poll conducted by the American Institute of Architects, and the Empire State Building Observatory is one of the world's most beloved attractions as the region's top tourist destination.

Since 1976, the Empire State Building's tower lights have maintained a tradition of changing color to recognize various occasions and organizations throughout the year. New York state has added the Spring Festival to the list of public holidays since 2014.