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This Sunday, June 21, thousands of yogis will once again roll out their mats in the middle of the Crossroads of the World for the 24th annual Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga, a beloved summer tradition that turns one of the busiest intersections on Earth into an all-day outdoor yoga studio.
The event runs from 7:30am to 8:30pm and features seven free yoga classes spread throughout the day on Broadway between 45th and 48th Streets. Participants will stretch, balance and attempt enlightenment amid the neighborhood’s flashing billboards, traffic and the general chaos of Midtown, a contrast that has become the event's signature.
What began more than 20 years ago with just three people greeting the sunrise with a yoga session has grown into one of New York City's most unusual summer rituals. More than two decades later, the annual celebration draws thousands of participants and spectators, proving that even Times Square can be surprisingly zen for a few hours.
If you're hoping to join, there's one important catch: registration is officially full—but don't write off your sun salutations just yet. Organizers are encouraging day-of walk-ups, noting that last-minute cancellations and no-shows often create openings throughout the day. Registered participants who attend will receive complimentary yoga mats courtesy of Gaiam.
The day's lineup includes sessions led by instructors Ruchika Lal, Riva G, Erica Stanzione, Divya Balakrishnan, Patrick Franco, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, and Douglass Stewart. Classes begin every two hours, starting at 7:30am and concluding with a sunset session at 7:30pm. If you can't make it to Midtown (or simply prefer your downward dog without the giant LED screens) every class will also be streamed live online, allowing anyone to participate from home.
Whether you're a devoted yogi or simply curious to see hundreds of people holding tree pose standing underneath towering digital advertisements, it's one of those uniquely New York spectacles that's worth experiencing at least once.