New Year’s Eve in NYC’s Times Square: Everything to know about the ball drop, how to watch, and more

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — As the clock nears midnight on December 31st, the eyes of the world will turn to Times Square for the dropping on the New Year’s Eve ball.

The Ball Drop tradition dates to 1904, with the first ball dropped in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound (318-kilogram), 5-foot- (1.5-meter-) diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs.

The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

Last year, the Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled. It measured about 12 feet (3.7 meters) in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds (5,400 kilograms).

The New Year’s Numeral will light when the ball drops. The four numerals use a total of 594 new LED pucks: the numeral “2”contains 145 LED pucks, the “0” contains 164 LED pucks, the second “2” contains145 LED pucks, and the “6” contains 140 LED pucks. For the first time, the numerals will be able to display an array of colors and patterns, and each LED puck will be programmable. These Numerals can match the choreography with the designs on the New Year’s Eve Ball.

Over one ton of confetti is also released at midnight. A confetti test happened Monday morning between West 45th street and 46th streets. The biodegradable confetti will include personal wishes submitted by people around the world.

This year, the stroke of midnight will also mark the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250. Organizers hope to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country.

AccuWeather’s New Year’s Eve forecast

Breezy with highs in the lower 30s for the celebrations. Flurries are possible late at night. The temperature at midnight will be around 32 degrees. Check the AccuWeather forecast page for updates.

Tips below are from the Times Square Alliance.

Ball Location & Viewing Areas

The Ball drops from the flagpole atop One Times Square and is best seen along Broadway (43rd-50th St) and Seventh Avenue (up to 59th St).
Viewing areas open at 3PM, with access points at 45th, 49th, 52nd, and 56th Streets on both 6th and 8th Avenues

Event Timeline

The Ball is raised around 6PM, with its 60-second descent starting at 11:59PM.
Attendees tend to gather in the afternoon; specific filling times depend on crowd and weather.

Entry & Tickets

The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. No tickets are required for public viewing.
Private parties at nearby venues require advance tickets. Beware of fraudulent “all-access” passes-they’re not valid through police checkpoints.

Transportation & Access

The MTA has announced its service schedules for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. On New Year’s Eve, the MTA is adding extra subway and commuter rail service — but on New Year’s Day, most MTA agencies will operate on weekend or holiday schedules.
Best travel option to Times Square is via mass transit (1, 2, 3, 7, A, B, C, D, E, F, M, N, Q, R, W lines).
Station entrances (e.g., 42nd St) may close early; expect increased service and station access changes from morning through midnight.
Pedestrian entry is permitted only via 6th or 8th Avenues – once streets close, crossing Broadway/7th Ave isn’t allowed.

Street Closures

Viewing areas will officially open at 3 p.m., and pedestrians can enter at checkpoints at 45th, 49th, 52nd, and 56th streets, from both Sixth and Eighth avenues. The streets will close street by street as those pens reach capacity.
At approximately 11 a.m., Seventh Avenue and Broadway will close to vehicular traffic from 38th to 59th streets.
By approximately 4 p.m., Sixth and Eighth avenues within the event area will close to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic with pedestrian crossings at 41st, 44th, 47th, 50th, 54th, and 57th streets.

Prohibited Items

No backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, folding chairs, picnic blankets, coolers, alcohol, drones, weapons, or obstructive objects.
Bags will be searched; public alcohol consumption is illegal and will be confiscated.

What to Bring & Wear

Dress in layers and wear wind- and water-resistant outerwear. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol/caffeine to prevent dehydration.

Accessibility

A designated viewing area is available for people with disabilities; advance inquiries can be made via info@timessquarenyc.org.
Facilities & Nearby Services
No portable toilets or licensed vendors are allowed in the event area.
Nearby Broadway shows, stores, and restaurants may be open, but leaving a viewing spot forfeits re-entry.
Some Times Square hotels and restaurants offer views of the Ball; check the official hotel/restaurant guide for details.

Alerts & Communication

Text NEWYEARSEVE to 692692 (NYCNYC) for real-time updates (closures, weather, transit).
Flash Alerts from the Times Square Alliance provide notifications about local conditions and security.

Historic Second Celebration to Ring In Semiquincentennial Year

For the first time ever, a surprise second ceremonial celebration will follow the traditional midnight countdown, officially welcoming 2026 and the start of America celebrating turning 250.

At approximately 12:04 a.m. EST, the Times Square Ball will be relit in a red, white, and blue America250 design and rise above illuminated “2026” numerals. The moment will include a new video “America Turns 250,” a first-ever post-midnight release of 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti, and a dynamic pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”

The nonpartisan organization America250 is teaming up with One Times Square to kick off the semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, which will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“What better way to ring in 2026 with the iconic global countdown in Times Square,” Rosie Rios, the chair of America250, said in an interview that aired on “Good Morning America.”

Along with the special confetti, which will kick off at about 12:04 a.m. ET, the iconic Times Square ball will feature a special design and a finale will highlight a dynamic pyro display set to a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026

For those not able to attend the celebrations in person, the ABC tradition continues New Year’s Eve!

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” will go live Wednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST on Channel 7 and stream next day on Hulu.

Diana Ross will headline this year’s “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” topping what producers say is one of the most expansive performer lineups in the show’s history.

“Together we begin a new year. Let’s embrace a new beginning, new opportunities, new joy – a celebration of love, where we all come together as we begin 2026,” said Ross.

She’ll be joined by 39 artists performing live from New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Puerto Rico and more.

America250 to Return to Times Square on July 3, 2026 for Fourth of July Ball Drop

America250 is also revealing that the decorated Times Square Ball will drop again on July 3, 2026, marking the first time in history the Ball drops outside of New Year’s Eve. The Fourth of July countdown moment will anchor America250’s nationwide Independence Day celebrations and reinforce New York City’s central role in the nation’s Semiquincentennial.

It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve.

America250 is the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the celebration of the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

In 2016, Congress authorized America250, also known as the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, “to provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events through local, State, national, and international activities planned, encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission representative of appropriate public and private authorities and organizations.”