Javits Center Events 2026–2027: The Calendar, Who Can Get In and Which Door to Use

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center spreads across six blocks of Manhattan's West Side, from about West 34th to 40th Street between 11th and 12th Avenue. It has 3.4 million square feet in two buildings: the original opened in 1986, and North Javits in 2021. Dates, hours and prices below come from Javits and each show's own site, checked November 2026. They can change, so confirm with your show before you book a trip.

Which Javits Center shows are open to the public?

Only some. Public shows sell tickets to anyone. Trade shows ask for a badge, and many want proof that you work in the industry. These are the biggest public dates we could confirm:

Also on the Javits calendar are the NYC Half Experience race expo (March 18–20, 2027), Anime NYC (August 26–29) and The Armory Show (September 23–26). We didn't confirm their tickets or hours, so check their own sites.

Which trade shows are coming to the Javits Center?

You'll need to qualify for these. Some organizers are blunt about it: Toy Fair says it's “NOT open to the public.”

INTERPHEX (pharma and biotech manufacturing, April 13–15, 2027) and the American Psychiatric Association meeting (May 1–4, 2027) are on the calendar too. Many other dates are corporate or private events.

Which Javits Center entrance do I use?

The one your show names. Javits says its main entrances are on 11th Avenue between 35th and 39th Street, and that entry points vary by event. Going to the wrong door can mean a long walk.

• Main entrance. 429 11th Ave.
• North entrance. 445 11th Ave, the door closest to 38th St, used for North Building events.
• Auto Show. Main entrance at 35th St and 11th Ave, second entrance at 37th St.
• Travel & Adventure Show. West 35th St near 11th Ave.

The mailing address, 655 W 34th St, is the admin entrance.

How do I get to the Javits Center?

• Subway. Take the 7 to 34 St–Hudson Yards, one stop west of Times Square. Javits calls it a 5-minute walk, and calls the subway “the fastest and most reliable option during major events.” A ride is $3 (checked November 2026).
• Bus. Javits lists the M34 and M34-SBS, M42, M50, M12 and M11.
• Taxi or rideshare. The official drop-off and pick-up point is 38th St and 11th Ave. By the TLC's fare rules (checked November 2026), a yellow cab starts at $3, and a Midtown trip adds at least $4.75 in surcharges, plus $2.50 on weekdays from 4 to 8pm.
• Car. Javits has no dedicated guest parking. It points to a Premium Parking lot at 700 W 34th St, open 24 hours.

What should I know before I go?

• Hours. The building has no single schedule; it opens around each event. Your show's site has the best time to arrive.
• Bags. Javits has two permanent baggage checks: in the South building next to FedEx, and in the North building atrium. It bans weapons, fireworks, drones, electric scooters and Segways. Shows add their own rules: the Auto Show searches all bags, and Comic Con screens bags and bans glass containers, folding chairs, selfie sticks and balloons.
• Re-entry. Ask before you step out for lunch. The Auto Show has none, and the Boat Show allows it the same day only, when capacity permits.
• Coats. Coat check depends on the event.
• Inside. Free Wi-Fi in public spaces, a Chase ATM on Level 1, and charging stations in the south concourse on Level 2. The campus is smoke-free, vaping included, and only service animals are allowed. For accessibility, write to ADA@javitscenter.com or call (212) 216-2196.

Can you visit the Javits Center green roof?

Not on your own. The 6.75-acre green roof has a bird habitat, and on the North Javits roof there's a one-acre farm, Steel Farm, managed by Brooklyn Grange, with more than 50 crops. It isn't open for walk-ins. Javits has offered paid, seasonal farm tours, so check javitscenter.com/tours for what's running.

Where can I eat at the Javits Center and nearby?

Inside, it depends on the show: “Food options are determined by the event organizer,” says Javits. There are food halls and catering from its in-house hospitality partner, vending machines on Level 1 during events, and free water refill stations near the restrooms. We couldn't find an official list of places to eat inside, so ask at your show.

Outside, timing matters. Trade floors usually close between 4 and 6pm. Public shows run later: 8pm on Boat Show weeknights, and 10pm on Auto Show Fridays and Saturdays. Ninth Avenue, two avenues east, is Hell's Kitchen's main street for eating out, and our Hell's Kitchen guide covers the rest of the neighborhood.

How do I get from the Javits Center to Cantina Rooftop?

On foot. Walk north on 11th Avenue to West 48th Street and turn left. It takes about 11 to 12 minutes from the 38th Street door and 14 to 15 from 35th Street, not counting lights or the walk through the building.

By bus. The M12 runs north from 12th Avenue and West 40th Street to West 48th Street, at the end of our block. It comes about every 30 minutes, with the last bus around 10:30pm, and holidays differ (timetable checked November 2026). No single subway line connects us.

Dinner on a rooftop after the show

We're Cantina Rooftop, at 605 W 48th St, between 11th and 12th Avenue: a Mexican restaurant and bar on the roof, with tacos, margaritas and a live DJ every night we're open. Dinner starts at 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. The last dinner reservation is 10pm Tuesday to Saturday and 9pm on Sunday. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4pm, with the last reservation at 3:30pm. The glass roof opens in good weather; when it's cold it stays closed and heated.

Two timing notes. We're closed on Mondays, and many trade shows run Sunday to Tuesday, with a Monday in the middle: NRF (January 11), COTERIE (February 8), the Restaurant Show (March 8) and Fancy Food (July 26). Plan on Sunday or Tuesday. And on Auto Show Fridays and Saturdays the floor closes at 10pm, when we take our last reservation, so leave by about 9:30pm.

Tables for 2 to 8 book online. More on dinner near the Javits Center.