2-0-2-2 Has Arrived in Times Square — Roll Up For a Socially Distanced Selfie

2022 rolled into Times Square this morning — on the back of an all-electric Kia EV6, after a coast-to-coast tour of the United States.

2022 arriving in Times Square on the back of an all-electric Kia EV6 this morning. Photo: Phil O’Brien

The giant, seven-foot-tall numerals for “2022” arrived in Times Square Plaza between W46/47th Streets just 11 days before the planned New Year’s celebrations. However, this might be your big chance to get up close and personal to 2022, as the event has been thrown into doubt after the recent COVID surge in New York City.

Yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference that a decision about the Times Square celebrations going ahead would be taken before Christmas.

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The numerals will be on display from 11am this morning (Monday) and will stay on the plaza until noon on Thursday, December 23. The organizers say that “members of the public will have the opportunity to take photos with them outside in a safe, socially distanced manner.”

The numbers will then take the journey to the top of One Times Square to light up at midnight on December 31. The famous numerals completed their road trip today. They started in California and traveled through Nevada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland — with photo ops for locals along the way.

Photos taken with locals on the coast-to-coast road trip will be on display. Photo: Phil O’Brien

FUN FACT: The four numerals use a total of 599 energy-efficient LED bulbs; the numeral “2” contains 145 bulbs, and the “0” contains 164 bulbs.

While you are in Times Square, you can also visit the Confetti Wall and add your wishes to the confetti that flutters down in the heart of Times Square on New Year’s Eve! Also, less seasonally, there are plenty of COVID test sites around the Square too.