Love Jimmy Fallon? We do! Here's how you can get free tickets for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
We give you the inside scoop on requesting tickets, tips on increasing your chances of getting them, and what to expect at the taping.
Did you know that seeing a TV show taping is one of the top 10 free things to do in NYC? Don't hesitate to try for tickets!
- How to Order Tickets
- If You Get Tickets
- Standby Tickets
- Tickets to the Rehearsal Show
- Other TV Shows in NYC
- Things to Do in NYC
HOW TO ORDER TICKETS TO THE TONIGHT SHOW
The show tapes Monday-Friday at Rockefeller Center (see details below).
Tapings start at 5 p.m. and last until approximately 6:30 p.m.
To get free tickets, you must register with 1iota, the website that handles many TV-taping ticket requests.
Do this in advance of the ticket release date so you'll be all set to go when it's time to make your request.
After signing up with 1iota, go to the show's website to submit your ticket request.
You will select from a calendar of available show dates the date you would like to attend.
Then you will be added to the request queue. Tickets are generally processed a week or two before the show.
You'll receive an email from the show if your request has been accepted.
A few things to know:
- You can only request four tickets at a time. If there are more than four people in your group, you might want to submit two requests, with no guarantee that both requests will be granted.
- No one under the age of 16 may attend the taping, regardless if a parent or guardian is present. Sorry, teens!
- Also, you can request tickets no more than once every 6 months. They are very strict about this!
When are tickets released?
Tickets are released a month at a time, with the release date announced in the first week of the previous month.
For example, the ticket release date for March would be announced during the first week of February, and so on.
How to increase your chances of getting advance tickets
Based on our experience, if you want to up the likelihood of getting tickets, you've got to stay on top of ticket release dates.
Check this ticketing page often during the first week of the month.
We also got feedback from the members of our NYC Travel Tips Facebook group to see what tips they had to offer about getting tickets.
Our group has nearly 200k members and includes locals (such as our tour guides), frequent visitors to NYC, and newbies to the city as well!
We couldn't agree more with this tip from a group member:
“You can follow @FallonTix on Twitter and they announce when the new ticket waitlist will open. Be sure to turn on notifications in your Twitter account”.
Read even more first-hand experiences about the show from our group members here.
You don't need to be a member of our group to read what others say and suggest.
Where does the show tape?
The show is filmed at Rockefeller Center inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza (map), the building where the Top of the Rock observation deck is located.
The entrance to the show is on W. 49th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues between the stores Maison du Chocolat and FAO Schwarz.
IF YOU GET TICKETS
Taping starts at 5:00 pm and check-in usually begins at 3:15 pm and closes promptly at 3:45 pm.
To check in, arrive at 30 Rockefeller Plaza using the 50 W. 50th Street entrance (map).
The person who is reserved must be present. So be sure to all arrive together. Also, they will check IDs to make sure the names match and that everyone is older than 16.
Tips for when you attend
As far as audience etiquette goes, there are some basic rules to follow:
There is no set dress code, though you are asked to keep to a "smart" casual look. No costumes allowed (seriously!)
Don't make the mistake we did and bring backpacks. Only small bags and purses are allowed.
If you do have bags with you, you can find cheap luggage storage locations nearby.
You absolutely can NOT use cameras, phones, or electronics of any kind in the studio.
Where to eat nearby
There are lots of places to grab a snack or full meal before or after the show. We like food halls and food courts so that everyone can order the cuisine they like.
There are loads of food vendors and sit-down restaurants on the concourse level of Rockefeller Center. See what's there.
The Food Hall at Grand Central Station is another good choice, though it's about 12 blocks away. option.
For a lovely sit-down meal, visit NYC's famous Restaurant Row just off of Times Square.
STANDBY TICKETS
Standby tickets (referred to as "standby cards") are distributed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the morning of a show.
They are handed out at the "Shop at NBC Studios" located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, and accessed via the 6th Avenue entrance between 49th and 50th Streets.
Standby cards are limited to one per person and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Standby tickets do not guarantee entry into the show.
There is so much to do at Rockefeller Center, from studio tours to walking tours and visiting the Top of the Rock, that no trip is wasted.
TONIGHT SHOW MONOLOGUE REHEARSAL TICKETS
Every day, the Tonight Show invites a small audience to watch Jimmy Fallon rehearse his monologue.
The length of time the rehearsal runs varies based on how much material Jimmy wants to rehearse.
The reaction of the rehearsal audience partially determines what jokes make it into the actual show. This is a really fun opportunity to be a part of the process.
*Please note that rehearsals may not be taking place currently. Check the website for updates.
And don't forget to check out our
pay-what-you-like walking tours of New York City!
Some Fun Facts About The Tonight Show, Past, and Present…
- The original show debuted on September 27, 1954, and was officially called “The Tonight Show Starring Steve Allen.”
- Some iconic features of the show, including the opening monologue, a guest musical performer and taking the camera outside of the studio for comedy bits all began during the original show with Steve Allen
- The longest-running host of The Tonight Show was Johnny Carson, who hosted for thirty seasons.
- Jay Leno never touched a single paycheck that he earned during his time as the host of The Tonight Show. He lived solely off of his earnings as a stand-up comedian.
- The current show with comedian Jimmy Fallon is the first time “Starring” has been used in the title since Johnny Carson was the host.
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is shot in Studio 6B at NBC Studios. The studio underwent a $5 million renovation to prepare for the show’s return to New York.
- Studio 6B is where The Tonight Show was hosted by former hosts Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. A decade into his tenure as host, Carson moved with the show to Burbank, California.
- Jimmy Fallon is the sixth host of The Tonight Show. He was previously the host of Late Night, which airs right after The Tonight Show on NBC. (Fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers took over as host of Late Night.)
- Film director Spike Lee directed the current opening sequence for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
- The award-winning house band The Roots is the current house band for the show. Steve Higgins is the announcer and “sidekick.”
- Will Smith was a guest on Jimmy Fallon’s first show, and U2 performed as a musical guest.
- The official air time of The Tonight Show is 11:34 pm Eastern Standard Time.
