Check Out the 2nd Avenue Subway Friday at 96th St. Station Open House: PHOTOS

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The wait for Upper East Siders to step down into the 2nd Avenue Subway is over. On Friday, Dec. 23, the MTA will hold an open house at the new 96th Street station from from 8-10 a.m. and again from 5-7 p.m. And don't worry about having to swipe in, the open house is completely free.

The only bad thing — you'll have to wait until Jan. 1 to actually ride the Q train.

"Governor Cuomo challenged the MTA to work aggressively to open the Second Avenue Subway on time, and we have been working around the clock to meet this challenge," MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said in a statement. "We’re thrilled to start the new year with a new Subway line and invite all New Yorkers to come get a preview this week."

MTA staff will be in the station to hand out information brochures, maps, 2nd Avenue Subway-themed trinkets and cookies.

Open house visitors will also get an opportunity to check out artist Sarah Sze’s "Blueprint for a Landscape" public art installation in the station. The installation is one of four commissioned by the MTA for the new subway line by artists like Sze, Chuck Close, Vik Muniz and Jean Shin.

"With unparalleled architecture and newly installed artwork along the Second Avenue line, we are transforming these stations into underground galleries that encompass the spirit and cultural charm of New York," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "This open house offers a unique opportunity for us to share this important project milestone with New Yorkers, and marks the progress we have made in delivering a new, vital artery to one of the nation’s busiest transit lines. I encourage all New Yorkers to come for a tour and see this new state-of-the-art station for themselves."

Check out these photos of the station courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office:

Photos courtesy of Gov. Andrew Cuomo