Times Square gets personal fast. This is a chance to see your own photo or video glow above Broadway in the middle of the Crossroads of the World, shown 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours. You also get a live stream option, so the moment can travel beyond the crowd.

I love the feeling of impact here: your image is on one of the most recognizable screens on the planet, and the showtime pattern means you are not stuck waiting for one single slot. I also like that you can control the vibe with a custom frame and even add a short line of text, which makes it perfect for birthdays, engagements, and family milestones.

One real consideration: the display is brief each hour, so you may need to time it or stick around to catch it in person. And if you are late with the upload, your exact time slot is not secured yet—so do not overthink it.

Key points to know before you go

• 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours means multiple chances to catch it
• Times Square location: above the Pelé store, between 46th and 47th on Broadway, across from TKTS
• Custom frames and a text line help you turn a photo into a message
• One ticket = one display for a group photo, or multiple tickets for separate photos per person
• Live stream available online, so friends and family can watch too
• File rules are strict: no watermarks, brands/logos, nudity, smoking, or vulgarity

Where the billboard lives: Pelé Store, Broadway, and TKTS

This billboard is right in the Times Square maze. You’ll find it above the Pelé store, on 1560 Broadway between 46th and 47th St. The easiest landmark is the TKTS red steps—it’s directly across the street.

That matters because Times Square is loud, packed, and full of visual noise. The faster you lock onto the Pelé store area, the sooner you can get your bearings and actually enjoy waiting for the screen to light up. Also, the billboard is fully accessible from Broadway, so you can position yourself without needing anything fancy—no stairs or hidden routes implied by the setup.

In other words: use the street-level landmarks first. Then look up. The whole point is that this is a “where am I standing” experience, not a “walk for miles” one.

How the 24-hour schedule works (and why your timing matters)

Your photo or video plays 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours on your chosen date. Practically, that means you have many chances to see it during one day and one night. It’s not a one-and-done photo op.

There’s also a safety net: you’re guaranteed 22 showtimes within 24 hours if technical issues happen. So you are not just gambling on one feed or one moment.

Now the part that can surprise people: the exact hourly showtimes depend on your assigned slot. You’ll get a confirmation of your time slot, and your slot isn’t reserved until you submit your photo/video. That’s why planning matters more than people expect.

A few smart tips based on real-world experience:

• Submit quickly after booking so you do not lose your preferred timing window.
• If you want to see it in person, arrive early and watch the clock. Fifteen seconds goes fast.
• If you’re traveling across time zones, treat your schedule like it’s its own country. One person noted the first display can start very late night/early morning on the first day, so expect that possibility.

Choosing the right photo, frame, and message

You upload your chosen photo or video, and you can pair it with one custom frame. Some of the frame options are themed for moments like Happy Birthday, Congratulations, or Will you marry me. You can also include a short line of text within your photo or video, so your message doesn’t depend only on faces and timing.

What makes this useful is that you’re not stuck with a generic screen-grab. You can design a real “announcement” feeling:

• A birthday with a name
• A proposal with a clear call to action
• A family tribute with a short emotional line

Also, there’s flexibility for groups. You can buy one ticket for a group photo or buy multiple tickets if you want each person featured separately. And there’s no cap stated on how many people can appear in a single photo, so big families can do one shared image without awkward cropping.

One more practical note: content rules are strict. Your file can’t include watermarks, brands, or logos, and it has to be free of nudity, smoking, or vulgarity. If your upload looks like advertising—like QR codes, links, or anything resembling an ad—you’ll be declined. Keep it clean and personal.

If you want it to look good on a billboard, think like you’re making a poster: high contrast, clear faces, and simple composition usually wins.

Your day in Times Square: what it feels like on the ground

Plan your “billboard time” as a short window, not a whole-day chore. Here’s how I’d pace it so you actually enjoy Times Square instead of just waiting.

First: find the spot early. Use the Pelé store + TKTS steps combo to get oriented. Stand where you can comfortably look up when the moment hits—crowds around Times Square can make it tricky to reposition at the last second.

Second: expect a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. The display is 15 seconds each hour, so when it starts, you’ll want to be ready to look, not search. One person described the waiting as the only real downside—because you need to be present and ready when your image appears.

Third: take your photo at the right time. If you’re filming or snapping your own shot, try to record when the screen goes live. That way you get both your memory and a clean record you can share later.

And yes, the payoff is real. People describe the moment as feeling like movie-star time. A lot of the joy here comes from watching the crowd react to something that looks like a famous ad… except it’s your family.

In-person vs live stream: plan for glare and crowd chaos

You’re not limited to standing in Times Square. You can also watch the live stream online, which is a big part of the value for people who want family and friends included.

This is where you get strategy:

• If you’re going with older relatives or someone who does not love attention, the live stream can be the calmer option while still delivering the surprise.
• If you want the best chance to clearly see the billboard, going in person helps—especially if you notice that lighting and glare can hide details from certain angles.

One caution from a real experience: some people felt the billboard was harder to see from certain viewpoints (including glare). So if you care about the exact expression on a face, don’t pick the first spot you see. Adjust your position until the screen is readable.

Also, if you’re watching the live stream with family back home, send them the time slot you received. That way everyone can hit the same moment together instead of guessing when it’s playing.

The practical value: is $150 worth it?

At $150 per person, this sits in the “experience, not souvenir” category. You are paying for one specific thing: your image on a high-profile billboard for 24 hours.

Here’s why it can be worth it:

• You get multiple showings (15 seconds every hour) instead of a single shot.
• You get a built-in frame and a text line option, so it can feel like a real announcement.
• You’re placing a personal message in an iconic public space, which is hard to replicate with typical photo services.
• The live stream extends the impact for people who cannot be there.

The trade-off is that it’s still a billboard moment, not a guided sightseeing day. There’s no long itinerary, no behind-the-scenes access. It’s mostly about preparing your file, arriving on time, and then catching your 15-second run.

If you’re the kind of traveler who loves quirky, shareable surprises, this hits the sweet spot. If you mainly want scenic New York time, you might prefer using that budget for a show or a good meal—unless your goal is specifically the “my face on a screen” memory.

One more tip: the service includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your trip schedule is still shifting. For a Times Square moment, flexible planning is genuinely useful.

Who this is best for (and who should think twice)

This is built for celebrations. The kind of occasions that fit naturally:

• birthdays (including teen milestones)
• anniversaries
• engagements and proposal-style messages
• family tributes (including emotional reminders)

It also works well for group travel because you can do one shared photo or separate photos per person with additional tickets.

Now the “should think twice” group:

• If someone hates being the center of attention, they might feel anxious waiting for their image to appear. In that case, lean on the live stream so the moment happens more privately.
• If you hate standing still, plan on a short “watch window.” Your image is only on for 15 seconds at a time, so you’ll either time it or you’ll wait.

If you want an experience that’s easy to understand, fast to prepare, and unforgettable in a very public way, this is a strong match.

Should you book this Times Square billboard moment?

If you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime NYC memory that people can actually see in real time, I say it’s worth considering. The combination of a truly famous location, the 24-hour run, and the ability for everyone to watch through the live stream makes this feel bigger than a standard photo package.

But book with the right expectations:

• You’re not buying a full guided tour. You’re buying a personal broadcast.
• You need to be organized with your upload so your slot is secured.
• You’ll want to time your in-person viewing since each appearance is short.

If you’re celebrating something specific, want a message on a billboard (with frames and text), and you don’t mind a bit of clock-watching, this is one of the most straightforward “wow” ideas in New York.

FAQ

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

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

Where is the billboard located in Times Square?

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

How do I get my photo or video on the billboard?

You upload your photo or video after purchase using the code you receive immediately after buying. Your time slot is assigned within 24 hours, and your slot isn’t reserved until you submit your file.

Can I change my photo or video after uploading?

You can change it as long as it’s requested 24 hours in advance of your display date, and the photo/video has not been displayed on the billboard.

What can I customize on my billboard display?

You can choose one custom frame per photo and include a line of text for display. Frame themes can include messages like Happy Birthday and Congratulations.

Is this experience wheelchair accessible, and can I watch online?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible. You can also see the billboard in person and watch a live stream online.