The Address That Changed Everything

14 North Moore Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan.

On paper, it is a Beaux-Arts firehouse built in 1903 by architect Alexander H. Stevens, home to Hook and Ladder Company 8 of the FDNY. It has been a fully functioning fire station for over 120 years. The men and women of the FDNY who are stationed there respond to real emergencies every single day, even on the day of this event.

In practice, it is the most famous firehouse in the world.

On June 8, 1984, Columbia Pictures released Ghostbusters, directed by Ivan Reitman and starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson. The film used the exterior of Hook and Ladder 8 as the headquarters of its four paranormal scientists. Overnight, a working firehouse in TriBeCa became a global cultural landmark. Ghostbusters II returned to the same location in 1989. The most recent film in the franchise, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024), referenced it again.

More than four decades later, people still travel to New York City specifically to stand in front of this building. On June 6, 2026, thousands of them will be there at the same time, and the event they are gathering for is completely free.

What Is Ghostbusters Day? From Film to Annual Tradition

June 8 is the official Ghostbusters Day, the anniversary of the film's release in 1984. The date has been celebrated informally by fans since the franchise's 30th anniversary in 2014.

The organized annual gathering at Hook and Ladder 8 began in 2021, and it started with a damaged sign.

The original Ghostbusters sign above the firehouse entrance had been damaged in a windstorm, cracking one of its elements. The Buffalo Ghostbusters, a fan group from Buffalo, New York, launched a GoFundMe campaign to repair it. The campaign exceeded its goal so quickly and significantly that the group commissioned a brand new sign entirely, and held a celebration at the firehouse when it was installed.

"The GoFundMe became so big, they paid for that sign outside and said, 'Why don't we celebrate on Ghostbusters Day?'" said firefighter Vitucci of Hook and Ladder 8.

That is how a fan group's act of love for a building became one of New York City's most distinctive annual events. 2026 marks the 6th edition, and by every measure it is the largest yet.

Ghostbusters Day 2026: What to Expect on June 6

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Hours: 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM Location: Hook and Ladder Company 8, 14 North Moore Street, TriBeCa, Manhattan Cost: Free. No ticket, no registration required for the main event. Organized by: The Buffalo Ghostbusters, in partnership with Ghost Corps (Sony Pictures)

The event fills North Moore Street with six themed zones: an Ecto area (where the Ecto-1 replica is parked), a main performance stage, merchandise booths, collectibles, fan meetups, and the autograph signing area. Celebrity appearances, live music, and the film location walking tour round out the day.

Important update: Food trucks and portable restrooms that were originally planned for 2026 were unable to be secured due to permit requirements. Eat before you arrive. Nearby restaurant options in TriBeCa are plentiful, but the event itself will not have on-site food vendors this year.

The Confirmed Guests

Jason Reitman

Ghost Corps and the official Ghostbusters social media channels confirmed that filmmaker Jason Reitman will be in attendance at Hook and Ladder 8 on June 6. The son of original director Ivan Reitman, Jason directed Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021) and co-directed Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024). His presence at Ghostbusters Day is a direct line from the franchise's founding family to its current generation.

Gil Kenan

Gil Kenan, co-director of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, is also confirmed to attend alongside Reitman. Together, the two filmmakers will sign autographs for fans and take part in the Ghostbusters Give Back check presentation ceremony, recognizing the charitable efforts of Ghostbusters fan groups and community members in support of the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Both directors will be accessible for autograph signings from the start of the event. Lines form early and move steadily. Arriving close to 12:00 PM gives the best chance of reaching the front within a reasonable time.

Expert Tip from Real's Tours NYC: Ghost Corps confirmed "a few surprises" for the day of the event. In previous editions, original cast members have made unannounced appearances. Staying through the afternoon increases your chances of experiencing whatever those surprises turn out to be.

Live Music: Three Acts, One Stage

The Alessi Brothers

Billy and Bobby Alessi, the Long Island-born duo known for their close harmonies, are the authors of "Savin' the Day," the song performed during the end credits of Ghostbusters II (1989). Hearing it live, outside the actual firehouse from the franchise, is exactly the kind of thing this event exists to make possible.

The Mad Splatter

The Philadelphia-based punk-rock band returns for the second consecutive year at Ghostbusters Day, brought back by popular demand after their 2025 set. They bring a considerably different energy to North Moore Street than the Alessi Brothers, and the crowd appreciates both.

DJ Steve-O

The event's official DJ provides the musical connective tissue between the live sets, keeping the atmosphere running from noon to the end of the day. His specialty is 1980s and 1990s music, which means the sonic backdrop of the event is very much in period.

The Ghostbusters Film Location Walking Tour

At 3:30 PM, departing from Hook and Ladder 8, the NYC Ghostbusters host their annual guided walking tour of the original 1984 film's shooting locations across Manhattan.

The tour visits several of the franchise's most recognizable filming locations, beginning outside Hook and Ladder 8 before making its way across the city to the New York Public Library, Columbus Circle, 55 Central Park West, and Tavern on the Green. The tour is expected to last approximately four hours, and attendees should be prepared for three subway trips throughout the afternoon.

StopLocationSignificance
Hook and Ladder 814 North Moore Street, TriBeCaGhostbusters HQ. Tour departs here at 3:30 PM
New York Public Library5th Avenue and 42nd StreetOpening scene. The library ghost Ray and Egon attempt to capture
Columbus Circle59th Street and BroadwayKey connection point on the route
55 Central Park WestUpper West SideThe Shandor Building. Dana Barrett's apartment and the terror god portal
Tavern on the GreenCentral ParkFinal scene. Tour ends here at approximately 7:30 PM

Cost: Free. A voluntary donation is encouraged. What to bring: A loaded MetroCard for the three subway trips. Comfortable shoes. The tour ends in Central Park at approximately 7:30 PM.

The Collectibles: Cash Only

The merchandise available at Ghostbusters Day 2026 is exclusive to the event and not sold anywhere else. This year's items include:

  • The 2026 glow-in-the-dark fundraiser patch, which celebrates both the live-action and the animated cartoon versions of Hook and Ladder 8, with a proton stream running through the center that glows in the dark
  • The official Ghostbusters Day 2026 t-shirt
  • Additional collectibles to be announced

All merchandise requires cash. No cards are accepted. ATMs in TriBeCa are available nearby, but plan ahead.

All proceeds from merchandise sales go directly to the FDNY Foundation, supporting firefighter initiatives, safety programs, and community outreach for the Hook and Ladder 8 community specifically.

The Numbers Behind the Cause

Ghostbusters Day is not just a fan gathering. It is a fundraising operation with a genuine track record.

Last year's 40th-anniversary celebration drew fans worldwide and raised $43,241 for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. In previous years, the event has supported the Thomas R. Elsasser Fund (which covers medical expenses and housing costs for families of FDNY firefighters who died outside the line of duty) and the Starlight Children's Foundation.

The Buffalo Ghostbusters built this event from a sign replacement GoFundMe into a full-day charitable festival that has collectively raised significant sums for causes tied directly to the firehouse and its community. The merch you buy is the mechanism. The fun is the delivery system.

What Else You Should Know About This Building

The building itself rewards attention before and after the event crowd settles in.

The Ghostbusters logo is painted on the pavement in front of the entrance, positioned for photos that frame the building's facade behind it. This is where the most iconic shots happen.

The Ghostbusters sign above the door hangs permanently year-round and is visible from the street on any day of the year. If you are walking through TriBeCa on any other day in June and want to stop, it is always there.

The building also appeared in episodes of Seinfeld and How I Met Your Mother, making it something of a multi-franchise location for fans of New York-set television.

The firefighters of Hook and Ladder 8 remain fully on duty during the event. The station does not close for Ghostbusters Day. Emergency calls are answered as normal.

The Pre-Event Kickoff Party (Friday, June 5)

The night before the main event, the Yes Have Some Podcast, the official Ghostbusters podcast, hosts a live show at a separate venue with surprise guests, an open bar, and exclusive merchandise. A portion of proceeds benefits the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Tickets for the kickoff party go on sale through the podcast's online store, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Starlight Children's Foundation.

This is a paid ticketed event at a different location from Hook and Ladder 8. It is not required to attend the main Ghostbusters Day event on June 6, which remains free.

How to Get There

OptionDetails
Subway (option 1)Line 1 to Franklin Street station. Hook and Ladder 8 is a 3-minute walk south
Subway (option 2)Lines A, C, or E to Canal Street station. 5-minute walk east into TriBeCa
Walking from Tribeca FestivalThe main Tribeca Festival venue (199 Chambers Street) is 4 blocks away. Both events share the same neighborhood on June 6
By carNot recommended. TriBeCa street parking is extremely limited and the subway is faster from every part of the city

Practical Tips

Arrive at noon or shortly before. The autograph lines for Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan form before the event officially opens. Being there at 12:00 PM puts you at the front of the day's most in-demand experience.

Bring cash. All merchandise is cash only. There are ATMs nearby, but planning ahead is easier than finding one mid-event.

Come in costume. Cosplay is welcomed and celebrated. An authentic or creative Ghostbusters outfit guarantees photos with other fans throughout the day and makes the event photographs significantly more interesting.

Eat before you go. Food trucks were not secured for this year's event. The nearest food options are a short walk into the surrounding TriBeCa neighborhood, but there is no on-site food at the event itself.

Bring a portable battery. The Ecto-1, the sign, the directors, the cosplayers, and the filming location tour: you will use your phone camera constantly from noon to 7:30 PM.

Load your MetroCard if you are doing the walking tour. Three subway trips are included in the four-hour route. A MetroCard with at least $10 on it covers the journey comfortably.

The event and Tribeca Festival overlap. Ghostbusters Day (June 6) falls during the Tribeca Festival (June 3-14), which has its main venue four blocks away. If you are in TriBeCa for Tribeca Festival screenings on June 6, the Ghostbusters Day event is a natural addition to the same afternoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ghostbusters Day 2026 free?

Yes. The main event at Hook and Ladder 8 on June 6 is completely free. No ticket, no registration. The kickoff party on June 5 is a separate paid event.

Do I need to register in advance?

No. Just show up at 14 North Moore Street on June 6 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

Will there be food at the event?

No. Food trucks were announced but could not be permitted for 2026. Eat before arriving or plan a meal at one of the many restaurants in the surrounding TriBeCa neighborhood.

Is the firehouse open to visitors?

The exterior of the building is fully accessible and the event takes place on the street in front of it. The interior of the working firehouse is not part of the public event.

What time should I arrive for autographs?

As close to 12:00 PM as possible. Autograph lines form before the official opening and are first-come, first-served.

Can I bring children?

Yes. The event is family-friendly. Children who are fans of the franchise will find the Ecto-1, the costumes, and the general atmosphere particularly memorable.

Is the film location walking tour really free?

Yes. The NYC Ghostbusters host it as a voluntary-donation experience. There is no required fee to join. A MetroCard for three subway trips is the main practical requirement.

Where does the film location tour end?

At Tavern on the Green in Central Park, at approximately 7:30 PM.

Pair It with a Tour Earlier in the Day

The main Ghostbusters Day event runs from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. A guided tour in the morning gets you into TriBeCa with the full context of the neighborhood before the afternoon crowds arrive.

Upper and Lower Manhattan Tour

From $46 · 5.0 stars (97 reviews)

Covers the full length of Manhattan including TriBeCa and Lower Manhattan, the exact neighborhood where the event is held. See the New York Public Library (the first Ghostbusters filming location and stop two on the walking tour) as part of a broader morning in Midtown before heading to the firehouse.

Book this tour

New York in One Day Tour: Central Park, 9/11 and Statue of Liberty View Ferry

From $93 · 5.0 stars (76 reviews)

Includes both the downtown area where the firehouse is located and Central Park, where the Ghostbusters film location walking tour ends at Tavern on the Green. Do the tour in the morning, attend the main event in the afternoon, join the walking tour at 3:30 PM, and finish the day exactly where the tour started.

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VIP Contrasts Tour of New York

From $52 · 5.0 stars (314 reviews)

The most comprehensive single-day overview of New York City. The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan in one loop with a local expert. The ideal way to understand the city before spending the afternoon at one of its most beloved unofficial traditions.

Book this tour

Hook and Ladder 8 has been standing at 14 North Moore Street since 1903. It survived the transformation of TriBeCa from an industrial district to one of the most expensive neighborhoods in America. It kept working through everything this city has been through. And every June, it becomes the most joyful address in New York for a few hours because forty years ago, someone decided to film a comedy there.

On June 6, 2026, the answer to "who you gonna call" is: everyone, apparently. And they are all heading to TriBeCa.

See all available tours for June 2026

Questions before booking? Reach our team on WhatsApp: +1 (718) 362-0165

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Published by Real's Tours NYC. Expert-guided tours of New York City and beyond since 2008. Over 2,500 five-star reviews.