NYC: See Yourself on a Times Square Billboard for 24 Hours

Seeing your own face on a giant screen in Times Square is the whole point here, and the location delivers the right kind of New York drama. Your image appears for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours, above the Pelé store and across from the TKTS red steps.

I like the simple upload process and the chance to share the moment with people far away through the live stream. I also like the flexibility: one group photo can cover everyone, or each person can buy a ticket for a separate image. The catch is that 15 seconds passes quickly, and finding the exact screen in the crowded square can take patience.

Key points at a glance

• Your image repeats hourly for 24 hours: You have many chances to catch it in person or online.
• The address is specific: Find the screen at 1560 Broadway, above the Pelé store and across from the TKTS red steps.
• One group photo needs one ticket: There is no stated limit to the number of people in a single image.
• Custom text and frames are included: Choose a standard frame or a message such as Happy Birthday or Congratulations.
• The upload reserves the moment: Your slot is not held until you submit the photo or video.
• The best use is a celebration: Birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, tributes, and family surprises fit this experience especially well.

What the Times Square billboard experience really is

This is not a guided tour, bus ride, or attraction with a long program. You provide the content, and the screen provides the spectacle.

For $150 per person, you receive one photo or video display. It runs for 15 seconds every hour across a 24-hour period on your selected date. That gives you repeated chances to see it, rather than one single appointment that can be ruined by a late subway, rain, or a crowded sidewalk.

The screen sits at 1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets. It is above the Pelé store and directly opposite the TKTS red steps, a useful landmark in a part of Manhattan where bright signs can make every corner look alike.

You do not need to stand in Times Square for the full day. Once you know the assigned time, you can plan to arrive for one showing, return later, or send the live stream to friends and family elsewhere. The screen is also accessible from Broadway, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Choosing the right photo, video, and message

The quality of your image matters more than people often expect. A large public screen can make a busy collage hard to read, especially when your 15 seconds are moving quickly.

A clear portrait or simple family photo is the safest choice. A group image works well if faces are large enough to recognize. One family created a collage of six pictures and found that the screen was large enough to show them clearly, but a crowded design still requires care.

You can submit a photo or a video, plus one custom frame. The available frame style can be standard, or it can carry a message such as Happy Birthday, Congratulations, or Will you marry me? You can also add a short line of text within the photo or video.

Keep the message brief. A few readable words will work better than a paragraph. If the purpose is a surprise, place the recipient’s name or occasion where it can be read quickly, rather than hiding it in a corner.

The content rules are strict for a good reason. Files cannot include watermarks, brands, logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgar material. A logo, QR code, web link, advertisement-like design, or social media link from an independent professional can be rejected. Prepare a clean personal image rather than a business promotion.

The upload deadline matters more than the viewing time

After purchase, you receive a code to upload your photo or video. This is the step that actually reserves your place. Buying the ticket alone does not hold a display slot.

Do not leave the upload until the last minute. Your assigned time slot is confirmed within 24 hours, and you can change the file if you make the request at least 24 hours before the display date and the original file has not appeared yet.

This timing rule has an important practical effect. If you buy this as a birthday surprise, prepare the image before the trip or soon after booking. One person specifically found that submitting for the next day was too late and had to wait until a later date.

Check the date and time carefully when the confirmation arrives. One customer received conflicting dates on a voucher and email, which caused an awkward surprise plan. If anything looks unclear, contact support before telling the recipient when to look up.

Time zones also matter for the live stream. If family members are watching from another part of the United States or overseas, send them the exact local time in New York. A one-hour difference can easily cause someone to miss the display.

Finding 1560 Broadway in the heart of Times Square

The address is precise, but Times Square is noisy, crowded, and visually confusing. The screen is above the Pelé store, directly across from the famous TKTS red steps. Those are the landmarks to use, not only a map pin.

One person had trouble finding the location because the tall buildings made navigation apps less useful. Another arrived in Times Square and had to wait for the image, but found the screen easy to see once at the right spot.

Give yourself extra time before the show. The square can be packed, and you may need to move around to find a clear viewing angle. If your goal is a good photograph of the person standing below the billboard, arriving early is even more important.

This is not a quiet viewing area. Street performers, costumed characters, crowds, traffic noise, and other screens compete for attention. That is part of the Times Square experience, but it also means you should not expect a calm, cinematic moment. Your recipient may be thrilled, startled, or simply overwhelmed by the attention.

If the person dislikes being noticed, consider this carefully. One young recipient became anxious because she did not enjoy drawing attention to herself, even though the display was a meaningful birthday surprise. The experience works best when the person enjoys a public celebration.

What happens during the 15-second display

Your photo or video appears for 15 seconds at the assigned point in each hour. The exact moment matters, so do not arrive at the last second.

The first display may begin at an inconvenient hour. One customer had a slot starting at 1 a.m. and found it difficult to attend after a long day. If you want to see the first showing in person, check the start time before you commit to the plan.

The good news is repetition. Your content appears hourly for 24 hours, and the provider guarantees 22 showtimes within that period in case of technical trouble. You can wait for a second or third showing if your first attempt is blocked by a crowd, a passing character, or a shaky phone.

Fifteen seconds is enough to recognize a face and take a photograph, but it is not a long film segment. One customer wished for 30 seconds, while another waited to catch the image three times. Set your expectations correctly: this is a quick public appearance, repeated often, not a full advertisement.

For a video, keep the most important moment at the start or make sure the action reads quickly. A slow opening may be over before the recipient understands what is happening. A still photo with large faces and short text is easier to catch from the sidewalk.

Watching from home through the live stream

The online live stream adds real value, especially when the people you want to surprise cannot be in New York. You can send the assigned time to relatives and friends around the world, giving them a shared moment even if they are far away.

The live stream is also useful if you cannot remain in Times Square. You might be visiting with children, managing a tight sightseeing schedule, or dealing with poor weather. The screen itself may be more impressive in person, but the stream lets distant family take part.

Do not rely on only one person watching online. Glare and screen quality can affect visibility, and one customer found the image difficult to see most of the time online. The in-person view was much better.

Use the stream as a second way to watch, not a replacement for the New York setting. If the occasion is important, try to see the billboard from Broadway and have someone else monitor the stream.

Who gets the most value from $150

The $150 price makes sense when the display marks a major occasion. A 13th, 16th, or 50th birthday, an 80th birthday, an engagement, an anniversary, or a family tribute can justify the cost as a one-of-a-kind New York keepsake.

The value improves when several people share one image. One ticket can cover a group photo, and there is no stated cap on the number of people who can appear in that single image. For a family or wedding party, that is much better value than buying separate tickets for every person.

Separate tickets make sense when each person needs an individual photo or message. A group visiting for a birthday might use one shared image, while a couple could choose two separate surprises.

Compared with a meal, show, or standard sightseeing ticket, this is a short experience with no physical souvenir included. You are paying for the surprise, the setting, and the repeated chances to record the moment. If the recipient will treasure public recognition, the cost can feel reasonable. If you want a long activity with lots of sights, this is not the right purchase.

Best occasions for a Times Square appearance

Birthdays are the strongest fit. Parents used the screen for children turning 10, 13, 16, and 17, and the surprise often became the centerpiece of the day.

It also works for adults. A 40th birthday, an 80th birthday, a bachelorette trip, and a marriage proposal all match the big public setting. One family used the display as a tribute to a daughter who had died, then shared the live stream with relatives around the world. That is a more personal use of the screen, but it shows how the experience can carry meaning beyond simple novelty.

For an engagement, use a clear couple’s photo and a short message. For a birthday, choose an image the recipient will recognize instantly. For a tribute, a calm, uncluttered photo will likely feel more respectful than a flashy video.

The activity can also be a surprise for someone who is not visiting New York. You can arrange the display and send the stream, though the strongest effect comes from having the recipient standing in Times Square when the image appears.

Small details that can make the moment work

Plan to arrive at least several minutes before the assigned minute. Times Square is large enough that finding the screen can take longer than expected.

Keep your phone ready, with enough battery to record. You may want one person watching the screen and another filming the recipient’s reaction. The 15-second window is brief, so do not spend it opening camera settings.

Stand across from the screen near the TKTS steps if you want a wider photograph that includes the setting. Move closer if faces and text are hard to read. The exact best position can vary with the crowd.

If you miss the first display, do not panic. The hourly schedule gives you another chance. You can also watch from a different position to get a better recording.

For the online audience, send the local New York time, the date, and the live-stream link. If your friends are overseas, ask them to check the time conversion before the display.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, but the photo upload deadline remains the key point to manage.

Should you book this Times Square billboard experience?

Book it if you want a short, highly personal New York surprise and the recipient will enjoy seeing a familiar face in public. It is especially strong for milestone birthdays, engagements, family trips, and occasions where distant relatives can join through the live stream.

Think twice if your budget is tight, you dislike crowded public spaces, or you expect a long activity for the price. The image appears for only 15 seconds at a time, and locating the screen takes some effort.

My practical choice would be one strong group photo, a short readable message, and a planned visit for two or three showings. That approach makes the $150 ticket work harder and gives you several chances to capture the reaction without spending all day in Times Square.

FAQ

How long does the photo or video appear on the billboard?

It appears for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours on the selected date. You are guaranteed 22 showtimes within that period in case of technical difficulties.

Where is the billboard located?

The billboard is at 1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets. It is above the Pelé store and directly across from the TKTS red steps.

Can several people appear in one photo?

Yes. One ticket can be used for a group photo, and there is no stated cap on the number of people who can appear in one image. Separate tickets are needed if each person wants an individual photo or video.

Can friends and family watch from another country?

Yes. You receive a live stream that you can share with friends and family around the world. Send them the assigned date and time so they do not miss the 15-second display.

What content is not allowed?

Files cannot include watermarks, brands, logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgarity. Submissions containing a logo, QR code, link, advertisement-like material, or social media links from independent professionals can be declined.

When is my photo or video slot reserved?

Your slot is not reserved until you upload the photo or video using the code provided after purchase. You can request a change at least 24 hours before the display date, as long as the original file has not yet appeared.