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What happens at 11 57 at Times Square?

Midnight Moment is the world's largest, longest-running digital art exhibition, synchronized on electronic billboards throughout Times Square nightly from 11:57pm to midnight.



Every night from 11:57 PM to 12:00 AM, Times Square undergoes a massive digital transformation known as the "Midnight Moment." During these three minutes, over 90 synchronized electronic billboards across several city blocks take a break from their regular commercial advertisements to display a single, coordinated work of contemporary digital art. Organized by Times Square Arts since 2012, this is the world's largest and longest-running digital art exhibition. The program has featured world-renowned artists such as Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and Laurie Anderson, turning the busiest intersection in New York City into a massive, open-air gallery. It is a striking visual event where the chaotic flickering of ads is replaced by a unified, often meditative or thought-provoking artistic sequence. For tourists and locals alike, it is a rare moment of "digital silence" and beauty amidst the commercial noise of Midtown Manhattan. Because the event is synchronized to the second, it provides a dramatic "countdown" feel to the end of the day, making it a popular ritual for those wandering the square late at night.

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Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule.

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I have always found it safe, and I've been there during the night about four times. It is probably a good rule of thumb not to go into the sideways or alleyways off of the main streets. Times Square is lit up like a Christmas tree all hours of the night, so just remain in plain view. They always have cops around.

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How long does it take to walk through Times Square? Walking is about about 9 blocks the blocks going east are long the blocks going north are short. You have 6 blocks going north and 3-4 blocks between avenues which are long. Time depends on how fast you walk but it is very walkable.

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Hate people? Then you might want to avoid the most crowded part of Times Square, dubbed “The Bow Tie.” It spans between Broadway and Seventh Ave from 41st to 47th Street.

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