Times Square is loud, then suddenly it’s about you. This experience lets you upload a photo or video that shows up on a real billboard in the middle of Times Square for 15 seconds every hour over a full day, with a live stream friends can follow.

What I like most is how it turns a regular NYC trip into a personalized moment. You can pick a custom frame (including options like Happy Birthday or Congratulations) and add a short line of text, so it does not feel like a random photo op. One possible drawback to plan for is that the display is brief, only 15 seconds each hour, so you really have to be at the area around your time slot if you want to watch it in person.

Key things to know before you book your Times Square billboard slot

• 15-second fame, hourly for 24 hours on your chosen date
• 1560 Broadway location above the Pelé store, across from the TKTS red steps
• Reserve by uploading your file, your time slot is not locked until you submit
• One ticket for a group photo, or multiple tickets for per-person uploads
• Frames and a line of text help you turn a photo into a message
• Content rules are strict, avoid logos, QR codes, watermarks, and anything ad-like

Why this NYC moment feels different than a typical photo stop

Most Times Square activities are about seeing the sights. This one is about being seen, literally on a giant screen above Broadway. You upload what you want displayed, and then you get that small, electric window of visibility once per hour for the next 24 hours.

The value is not just the flashiness. It’s the fact that your image repeats, which increases your odds of catching it in daylight and at night. That matters in Times Square, where the crowds can make it hard to time anything perfectly, and where even good plans can turn into a lot of standing around.

Also, the live stream angle changes who gets to share the moment. If you have family back home, or friends who cannot make it to the city, they can still watch your billboard slot without being physically there.

Finding the billboard fast: 1560 Broadway above Pelé, across from TKTS

You will be looking for a billboard at 1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th St. It sits above the Pelé store, and it is directly across the street from the famous TKTS red steps, which gives you an easy anchor if you use street-level landmarks instead of your phone.

This is one of those locations where maps can feel like they are working against you, because Times Square has a lot of tall buildings and dense signage. I recommend you arrive a little early and build your own mental route: use Broadway as your guide, find the Pelé store area, then locate the billboard above it.

The good news is that it is described as fully accessible from Broadway, and the live stream can be viewed online, so you are not limited to just one viewing strategy. If you cannot stand outside comfortably for the exact minute, you can still watch the stream around your assigned time.

The upload step: where most of your control (and timing) lives

The whole experience hinges on the file upload. Your photo or video displays for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours on your selected date, but your time slot is not reserved until you submit your image or video, so do not treat the upload like an afterthought.

You will get a confirmation of your assigned time slot within 24 hours. After that, you can share the time with friends and family so they can tune in to the live stream online at the right moment.

You can also change your photo or video, as long as you request the change at least 24 hours before your display date and your content has not already been shown. That flexibility is useful if you realize you want a different shot, or you want a different message for the day-of surprise.

How the 15-second, hourly schedule really plays in real life

Here is what your brain needs to understand before you show up: you are not waiting for a single event. Your content is scheduled to run 15 seconds every hour, so you are effectively creating a mini routine over a whole day.

That is great for families and groups because you are more likely to catch it at least once, even if you miss the first slot you planned for. It also means the experience can work even if your group arrives late, as long as you have your time slot and you are paying attention when the hour changes.

One note on timing: some displays can land at very early hours depending on your assigned slot. If you are traveling with kids or you are doing a lot of early sightseeing, pick a date and slot that match your energy level, or plan a reset day nearby.

And yes, it is worth going in person at least once. Seeing it on the street, with the sheer scale and the crowd reaction, is part of why this is memorable, not just because the image exists online too.

Custom frames and text: turning a photo into a message

This is not a one-size-fits-all billboard ad. You get choices that help you shape the moment.

For each upload, you can choose one custom frame for display. Frames can include themes like Happy Birthday, Congratulations, or Will you marry me, which is perfect if you are planning a surprise and want the billboard to feel intentional rather than generic.

You can also include a short line of text within your photo or video. That lets you add names, a date, or a short message that people can read instantly from across the street. In a place like Times Square, where everything is moving and people are scanning quickly, a simple message usually works better than trying to fit too much.

If you are doing a collage or a photo with multiple faces, keep it readable. The billboard is large, but you still want the key faces and text to be obvious at a quick glance, especially when you are watching from street level.

Group photo strategy: one ticket for all, or separate tickets per person

You get options for how your group appears.

If you want everyone together in one image, you can buy one ticket for a group photo. The experience states there is no cap on the number of people who can feature in a single photo, so you can include siblings, friends, even a whole party if you can coordinate the shot.

If you want each person to have their own content, you can buy multiple tickets, with a photo or video per person. This is a good match for couples, family trips where different people want their own moment, or bachelorette and birthday weeks where more than one celebration deserves the spotlight.

Practical tip: decide early what you want the billboard to communicate. One group photo tells one story. Multiple per-person uploads lets you create separate story beats across the day.

Live stream viewing: how to share the moment from anywhere

You can see the billboard in person, and you can also watch the live stream online. That is a big part of the appeal, especially if you have people who cannot travel to New York.

After you upload and receive your assigned slot confirmation, share that time with family and friends. The experience is designed for that exact kind of coordination, so people know when to look.

Also, if you are worried about glare or visibility in the daytime, the in-person view can still be best for atmosphere, while the live stream is a backup plan that keeps everyone included.

Price and value: is $150 per person worth it?

At $150 per person for a single-day billboard feature, it sounds like a splurge. The value comes from what you receive for that money: repeated visibility on one of the most famous locations on earth, plus personalization tools, plus a live stream for remote viewers.

You get 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours, which can mean multiple chances to catch it in the day and at night. That repetition matters more than it seems, because Times Square makes it easy to get distracted or pulled into another plan.

The other value factor is the emotional payoff. This is the kind of gift that turns into a story people keep telling, and it creates content your group will share long after the trip. The custom frames and short text line make it feel like an event, not a random photo.

If you are buying for a birthday, a graduation, an engagement, or a milestone birthday where a traditional gift feels too quiet, this can be a strong use of your NYC budget. If you are traveling solo with no one to surprise, it is harder to justify because the value is mostly tied to the social reaction and the live viewing.

Best use cases: when this hits hardest

This experience fits perfectly when you want a clear, planned moment with a personal message.

It is ideal for birthdays, especially teen milestones where the person seeing themselves on a giant screen can feel oddly surreal. It also works well for engagements and proposals, since the frame options include Will you marry me and you can add a short line that sets the scene.

If your group is traveling together, a single shared photo can make it simpler and more cost-effective. If you are splitting celebrations, multiple tickets allow each person to have their own image and message.

And if you have family members who are not in the city, the live stream helps you include them in the same emotional moment rather than sending a blurry photo after the fact.

Photo and video rules you must follow

To avoid delays or denials, treat the upload like a careful submission, not a casual file share.

Your photo or video cannot include watermarks, brands, or logos. Nudity, smoking, or vulgarity are not allowed.

Uploads that include a QR code, link, or anything that resembles advertising can be declined. Social media links from independent professionals or freelancers can also be declined.

In plain terms, keep it clean and straightforward: your faces, your message, your plain visuals. If you are unsure whether something looks like an ad, strip it out.

File format details are not provided in the info you have here, so focus on the content restrictions and on uploading the correct version for your chosen date.

Timing tips: avoid the most common frustrations

The biggest real-world risk is showing up with the wrong expectations.

First, the billboard show is only 15 seconds each hour. If you want to watch it happen, you need to be at the area around your assigned time slot. That means building it into your day, not tacking it on as an afterthought between subway rides.

Second, your slot is not reserved until you submit your photo or video. If you take too long, your time slot may not be locked when you expect. Submit promptly after booking so you are not improvising on travel day.

Third, if you are traveling from another time zone, double-check the schedule when you get your confirmation. A one-hour mismatch can mess with a surprise, and you want your message to land at the moment everyone is watching.

Finally, if you plan to change your image, do it with enough lead time. Changes are allowed as long as they are requested at least 24 hours before your display date and the content has not already been shown.

Should you book this Times Square billboard experience?

Book it if you want a memorable NYC surprise that you can coordinate. If you are celebrating a birthday, engagement, or milestone, and you have someone who would be genuinely thrilled to see their face in lights, this is hard to beat for impact.

Skip it if you want a low-effort sightseeing add-on. The experience is not about roaming a route or watching a show with a built-in schedule. It works best when you plan around the assigned hourly slot and you treat the upload as the key step.

If you do book it, keep your plan simple: pick a photo that is readable at a quick glance, add a short message, and arrive near the Pelé store area with your time slot ready. Then, for the people who cannot be there, share that same time so the live stream turns your gift into a shared moment.

FAQ

How long will my photo or video show on the billboard?

Your photo or video displays for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours on your selected date.

Where is the billboard located?

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

How does the time slot get reserved?

Your slot is not reserved until you submit your photo or video. You will receive confirmation of your assigned time slot within 24 hours.

Can my whole group be in one photo?

Yes. You can use one ticket for a group photo, and there is no cap on the number of people who can feature in a single photo.

Can each person upload their own photo?

Yes. If you want separate photos or videos per person, you can purchase multiple tickets.

What customization can I add to my billboard display?

You can choose one custom frame per photo, and you can include a short line of text for display.

Are there restrictions on what can be uploaded?

Yes. Files may not include watermarks, brands or logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgarity. Submissions may be declined if they include a logo, QR code, link, or anything that resembles advertising.

What if there are technical difficulties?

In that case, you are guaranteed 22 showtimes within 24 hours.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.