About Central Park

Find all the information you need to enjoy your visit to New York City's iconic Central Park.

Iconic Central Park
  • About CentralPark.org
  • Maps
  • Tours
  • Programs
  • Alerts & Closures
  • Food & Drink
  • Movies Shot in Central Park
  • Central Park Casino
  • Restrooms
  • Visitor Centers
  • Park History
  • Rules
  • FAQ
  • Central Park Books
  • Central Park Precinct
  • Central Park Groups

Attractions

Central Park features 843 acres filled with classic architecture, gorgeous statuary and up to date sports, educational and performance facilities. Besides all of this there is the world famous Central Park Zoo and Wildlife Center and the Children's Zoo. 

 

Get Started
  • Alice In Wonderland
  • Alexander Hamilton
  • Andrew H. Green Memorial Bench
  • Arsenal
  • Balto
  • Bandshell
  • Belvedere Castle
  • Bethesda Terrace
  • Bethesda Fountain – Angel of Waters
  • Blockhouse
  • Bridges of Central Park
  • Carousel
  • Cherry Hill
  • Conservatory Garden
  • Conservatory Water
  • Dairy
  • Dana Discovery Center
  • Delacorte Music Clock
  • Delacorte Theater
  • Dene
  • Duke Ellington Circle
  • Grand Army Plaza
  • Great Lawn
  • Hallett Nature Sanctuary
  • Hans Christian Andersen
  • Harlem Meer
  • Heckscher Ballfields
  • Heckscher Playground
  • Hernshead
  • Lake
  • Lasker Pool & Rink
  • Loch
  • Loeb Boathouse
  • Lombard Lamp
  • Mall
  • North Meadow
  • Obelisk
  • Pond
  • Ramble
  • Reservoir
  • Rumsey Playfield
  • Shakespeare Garden
  • Sheep Meadow
  • Still Hunt
  • Seneca Village
  • Strawberry Fields
  • Summit Rock
  • Swedish Cottage
  • Statues
  • Tanner’s Spring
  • Tavern On The Green
  • Tennis Center
  • The Ramble
  • Turtle Pond
  • Wollman Rink
  • Zoo

Things To Do

From The Philharmonic on the Great Lawn to Shakespeare in the Park to SummerStage, Central Park offers an endless array of things to do, see, hear - and, with two full service restaurants and several cafes, taste.  You can visit The Shakespeare Garden, take in a performance at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater, take a ride on the Carousel - or just sit and people watch at Bethesda Terrace!

Get Started
  • Carriage Horses
  • Children’s Activities
  • Children’s Zoo
  • Dating In Central Park
  • Family Activities
  • Ice Skating
  • Marionette Theater
  • Movies
  • Nature Observatory
  • New York Philharmonic
  • North Meadow Recreation Center
  • Pets
  • Romantic Ideas
  • Shakespeare In The Park
  • SummerStage
  • Sunbathing
  • Victorian Gardens
  • Wedding Ceremonies

Contact Us

Contact Info



5th Ave. 
New York, NY, 10028

Follow On

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Facebook
  • X
  • RSS
Central Park
  • Circular Space 360°
  • Lost In New York
  • Calendar
  • About
  • Maps
  • Attractions
  • Activities
  • Sports
  • Zoo
  • Contact
Select Page

Pope Francis in Central Park

Pope Francis Central Park Procession

Friday, September 25th, 2015

Ticket Giveaway Contest

Sign up for the Central Park Papal Procession ticket giveaway contest has closed. Space is limited for the Pope’s historic Central Park procession. Entrants who have been randomly selected to receive tickets will be notified beginning Thursday, September 10th via email or telephone (depending on how they entered) and no later than September 14th. For more information on attending this procession, please read our FAQ below.

Details

Where & When

The Central Park Papal Procession will take place on Friday, September 25th on Central Park’s West Drive between 72nd and 60th Street. A ticket and valid ID is required for entrance.

Entrance to Event

Guests must enter via assigned security gate (listed on ticket) beginning at 11am. All guests must be at their assigned gate no later than 3:30pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and allow ample time to pass through security. Guests without tickets will not be permitted.

Road Closures

During Pope Francis’ visit to New York City there will be a number of street closures and anticipated traffic delays in the area of Central Park West, East Harlem, Financial District, Midtown, Madison Square Garden, and the Upper East Side. Please click here to view the full list of street closures and traffic restrictions. The use of public transportation for the duration of the visit is highly encouraged.

FAQs

Getting Tickets

Do I need a ticket?

Yes! The procession is open to ticketed guests only. Please see above for information about the ticket giveaway contest. Those selected in the giveaway must bring a physical or digital copy of each ticket with bar code visible.

Do children need tickets?

Yes. Each individual will require one (1) ticket to enter. Entrants under 18 must be accompanied by a ticketed adult or guardian.

How will I know if I was randomly selected to receive two (2) tickets?

Contest entrants who are randomly selected to receive two (2) tickets will be notified via email or telephone call (depending on their entry method) starting on September 10th.

How will I know if I was NOT randomly selected to receive two tickets?

If you did not receive an email or telephone call by September 14th, you were not randomly selected to receive tickets for the event.

I’ve been notified that I was randomly selected to receive two (2) tickets. What do I do?

You will be notified by the City of New York letting you know that you won two (2) tickets. This email will contain a detailed description on how to claim your tickets online. You must claim your tickets by September 15th. Those who enter the contest by calling 311 will be notified by telephone and will be given alternate instructions for ticket redemption

I didn’t redeem my tickets in time. What do I do?

Tickets that are not redeemed by Tuesday, September 15th at 11:59 p.m. will be re-distributed.

Are tickets for sale?

No.

At the Event

What can I bring with me?

Water and a snack for personal consumption

Personal camera

Comfortable clothing and shoes for standing

Stroller for babies or toddlers

What is prohibited?

Alcohol

Aerosol containers

Animals other than service/guide animals

Bicycles, scooters or skateboards

Blankets

 

Backpacks, coolers, or large bags

Chairs

Drones or other unmanned aircraft systems

Flags, posters, balloons, or signs and supports for signs and placards

Glass, thermal or metal containers

Laser pointers

Mace/pepper spray

Musical instruments or amplified sound devices

Selfie sticks

Unlicensed vending of any kind

Umbrellas 


Weapons, explosives, or ammunition of any kind

Can I exit and re-enter the processional area?

When can I enter?

What facilities will be available inside the processional area?

Restroom facilities and water fountains will be available within the processional area.

Will food or beverages be available for sale?

No.

When can I enter?

Check-in will begin at 11am on Friday, September 25th and close at 3:30pm. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and allow ample time to pass through security.

Where do I enter Central Park?

Your ticket will state which entrance you must use and where to enter.

My family member has a ticket for a different entrance. Will I be able to join them once we go through check-in?

Your entry point will determine your zone along the processional route. Guests will be unable to move between zones.

What if the weather is bad?

The City of New York reserves the right to cancel the Processional in case of inclement weather. Participants will be notified by email and/or phone.

Someone in my party has a disability or needs an ADA entrance. What do I do?

When applying for tickets, please check the box indicating that you will require use of an ADA entrance. If you have additional concerns regarding accessibility, email PapalVisit2015@cityhall.nyc.gov.

Can my guest and I enter at different times?

Yes. However, we cannot guarantee that you and your guest will stand next one another as we anticipate the space to fill up quickly. We recommend arriving together, if you would like to stand next to one another.

Can I bring a chair?

Chairs are prohibited at this event. This is a standing event. There are no areas with seating within the Procession and specific spots along the Procession cannot be reserved.  Guests should be prepared to stand for an extended period of time. Walkers, canes, scooters, wheelchairs, and canes with fold-out seats are permitted and encouraged for those who have mobility concerns.

Activities

  • Children’s Activities
  • Children’s Zoo
  • Dating In Central Park
  • Picnics
  • Special Event Planning
  • Romantic Ideas
  • SummerStage
  • Sunbathing
  • Weddings

Search CentralPark.org

Recent Posts

  • Shakespeare in the Park Will Return with ‘Twelfth Night’ In Summer 2025
  • PickleBall at Wollman Rink
  • Delacorte Theater Revialization
  • ‘The Gates’ returns (digitally) to Central Park
  • Seneca Village – Central Park’s Lost Community

Central Park

  • Events
  • About
  • Directions
  • History
  • Central Park Map
  • News

Categories

  • Home
  • About
  • Calendar
  • News
  • Attractions
  • Activities
  • Tabs
  • Carousel
  • Facebook
  • X
  • RSS
Designed by Central Park Web Inc. © 2018