The world of Elf is getting an immersive holiday treatment in New York City.
The Elf Experience, an all-new attraction inspired by New Line Cinema’s 2003 film, will open to the public Saturday, Nov. 14, at HERO in Rockefeller Center. The project comes from Warner Bros. Global Experiences and Fairview Portals, bringing the movie’s North Pole setting and New York holiday spirit into a walk-through experience built around environments, interactive moments, photo opportunities and themed treats.
HERO, described as Rockefeller Center’s venue devoted to immersive storytelling, will be transformed into a storybook-style journey tied to director Jon Favreau’s film, which starred Will Ferrell as Buddy, a man raised by elves.
Inside the North Pole journey
According to the details released for the attraction, guests will begin by meeting one of Santa’s helpers before stepping into Papa Elf’s storybook and traveling to the North Pole to learn about the life of an elf.
The route will take visitors through several familiar Elf-inspired stops, including the Candy Cane Forest, the Sea of Swirly Twirly Gumdrops, Santa’s Toy Workshop, the North Pole, and ultimately New York City and Gimbels. The experience will also include merchandise offerings such as apparel, accessories, toys, treats and artist collaborations.
Favreau, who is also the founder of Fairview Portals, said the creative team behind the attraction draws from both the original film and a new generation of artists influenced by it.
“We’ve assembled a group of artists that worked on the original film, as well as new ones who were inspired by it,” Favreau said. “Miniature work, forced perspective, zoetrope and animatronics were all implemented to create a unique and handcrafted experience to capture the spirit of the film.”
The emphasis on practical and handcrafted elements positions the attraction as more than a standard holiday photo stop, with the team leaning into techniques and design approaches connected to the movie’s visual identity.
Tickets and holiday timing
Tickets for The Elf Experience are available online now. Prices start at $45 for adults and $35 for children.
The Rockefeller Center setting is central to how Warner Bros. Discovery is framing the launch. Simon Robinson, Warner Bros. Discovery president of global experiences and worldwide studio operations, pointed to the pairing of the film and the New York holiday destination as a key part of the project’s appeal.
“Watching Elf has become a holiday tradition for millions of fans, and Rockefeller Center is synonymous with the holidays in New York City,” Robinson said. “Bringing the two together gives fans from New York and around the world an entirely new way to immerse themselves in the Elf story. Together with Fairview Portals, it is a privilege to bring the humor, heart and Christmas cheer of Elf to life in this state-of-the-art experience.”
With its Nov. 14 public opening, The Elf Experience will arrive at Rockefeller Center as the holiday season begins, offering fans a new way to engage with Favreau’s film through a physical, interactive version of Buddy’s world.