Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photos: "Lucky 13" Lights Arrive In Times Square For New Year's Eve
By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 20, 2012
Modified Dec 20, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images
View all 3
By
Jen Carlson
Published Dec 20, 2012
Modified Dec 20, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The New Year's numerals have arrived in Times Square! Yesterday the number "13" made its way via truck (remember when the "8" took the subway?) to the "Crossroads of the World," joining up with the veteran "20." Here are a bunch of other numbers to distract you from THE NUMBER 13: lalala the numbers are 7' tall and are fitted with custom designed Philips LED light bulbs—all in all there are 529 LED bulbs in the 2013 sign (145 bulbs in the "2," 164 in "0," 72 in "1," and 148 in the "3").
AHHHHHHHHH!
At the press conference, president of the Times Square Alliance, Tim Tompkins, acknowledged at its arrival that "some people, they get nervous about number 13. They feel that it has a bad rap, or maybe it's not a lucky year coming up. We think 2013 will be an amazing year." One of the producers of the big light show seconded the sentiment, smiling through a nervous sweat and saying the lights "really change that whole spirit of 13."
If you want to see them in person before they get hoisted above Times Square, the numbers will be at the Times Square Museum & Visitor Center at 47th Street and 7th Avenue until December 26th. Maybe bring some sage to burn away the "13" mojo (CAN'T HURT).
Tagged
13
2013
new year's eve
numbers
Times Square
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .