You can watch the Met Gala red carpet either via official live streams online or, if you’re in New York, in person from the public viewing areas on Fifth Avenue.

TV and online live streams

These options change slightly year to year, but the pattern is usually similar.

  • Major outlets host a dedicated red carpet special, typically starting early evening Eastern Time (around 6–7 p.m.).
  • News and entertainment sites run live streams on their websites and apps with hosts interviewing celebrities as they arrive.
  • Fashion-focused platforms and magazines often partner with the event to provide an official stream and behind‑the‑scenes coverage.
  • Social media (YouTube, Instagram, X) often carries either the official stream simulcast or companion “watch along” lives where commentators react to the looks in real time.

An example from a recent year: CBS News New York offered a dedicated red carpet broadcast and live blog for viewers wanting full arrival coverage.

Watching in person in NYC

If you’re in New York, you can see the arrivals from the street, though you’ll be at a distance and space is limited.

  • The action happens outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue, roughly between 82nd and 84th Streets. Fans line the police‑designated viewing pens along this stretch to catch glimpses of the cars and the carpet.
  • You need to get there early (often hours before the first guests arrive) to have any chance of a decent spot; people start gathering mid‑afternoon for an evening carpet.
  • Only official cars are allowed in front of the museum, so you don’t have buses blocking your view, but tents and equipment can still partially obstruct sightlines.

A typical fan strategy is to arrive around mid‑afternoon, choose a clear line of sight along Fifth Avenue, and be prepared to wait until the rush of celebrity arrivals in the early evening.

TL;DR:

  • Use major news or fashion sites’ live streams and TV specials for the most complete red carpet coverage.
  • In NYC, head to Fifth Ave by the Met (82nd–84th) several hours early to watch from the public pens along the street.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.