Did Times Square go dark on Christmas Eve and then light up with the story of the birth of Christ? Viral video explained

A viral video showing New York City's Times Square going dark on Christmas Eve (December 24) has gone viral online. According to the video, the square lit up once again to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ to celebrate the holiday.

The viral video was shared by many users on X, including Jack Poso, who wrote:

"WATCH: For the first time, all 27 billboards of Times Square went dark in NYC, and then lit up with the story of the Birth of Christ. The First Christmas."

However, according to a Community Note attached to the post, the viral video dates back to a year. The clip went viral on social media on December 24, 2024, but it reportedly dates back to November 27, 2023.

The clip features all 27 Billboards at Times Square going dark before lighting up once again to tell the story of the birth of Christ. In other words, no such display took place on the 2024 Christmas Eve.

The light-and-sound show from 2023 was organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. The billboard show, A Silent Night Surprise in Times Square, is available for streaming on YouTube.

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The Times Square Christmas show in 2023 drew attention to the Mormons' vending machine initiative to help the needy

On November 27, 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the Mormons) organized a massive light-and-sound show at New York's Times Square.

The show featured all 27 billboards at the junction going dark during the evening. At this moment, the popular Christmas carol, Silent Night, began playing in the background to draw people's attention. The billboards came back to light moments later to display a barrage of shooting stars in the background of a cobalt sky.

Santas gather for the annual Santa Con festivities in NewYork (Image via Getty)

The billboards then displayed a series of larger-than-life Christmas images to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The images featured the shepherds, the Christian Holy Family, Mother Mary embracing a newborn Jesus, and Christ sleeping peacefully in his manger.

At the end of the show, the billboards displayed a quote from the Bible that said:

"I am the Light of the World - Jesus Christ."

The quote was followed by a message from the Mormons that said:

“This Christmas, share His light by letting your light shine.”

The light-and-sound show was intended to spread awareness about the Mormons’ “Light of the World” Giving Machines initiative. In this campaign, they installed red vending machines that provide resources to the poor and needy during the holiday season. The initiative was carried forward on November 28, also celebrated as Giving Tuesday in Christianity.

Christ With The Two Marys (Image via Getty)

The Mormons were assisted by over 200 organizations worldwide to install these Giving Machines in 61 locations across seven countries. Three vending machines were also installed in Times Square. According to the church's official website:

"Across machines in all locations are a combined 1,200 different items requested by carefully screened and reputable local, national and international nonprofit organizations. These include meals, groceries, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, bedding, hygiene kits, job and career training, crops and livestock (such as chickens, goats, pigs, ducks, sheep and beehives). Patrons can type in 777 to purchase one of everything in a machine."

The initiative was co-founded by the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic Charities office. Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, the executive director of Catholic Charities of New York, also expressed his delight in being a part of the event, calling Times Square "the brightest place on the face of the earth."

After the first day (November 28, 2023) at Times Square, the three vending machines from the place were reinstalled at Church of Our Saviour on Park Avenue at 38th Street in Manhattan. The machines remained at the location until New Year 2024.

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