Stand in the Pens as the Ball Rises at 6 p.m.
By late afternoon on December 31, Times Square closes to traffic and the NYPD divides the square into viewing sections called "pens," directing attendees into them sequentially as they arrive. You pass through a security checkpoint first — backpacks and alcohol are prohibited — so travel light and arrive early if you want a spot with a view of One Times Square. The festivities formally open in the early evening with a ceremony that raises the ball at 6:00 p.m. ET, and party favours are handed out to the crowd: historically large balloons, hats, and other items branded with the event's corporate sponsors. From there, the lead-up to midnight is a program of entertainment including musical performances, some of them organized and televised by New Year's Eve specials broadcasting from Times Square, such as ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which has featured live headliners since 2005–06.
Watch the Drop — and Know What You're Watching
The ball itself sits on the roof of One Times Square nearly year-round, and since a renovation of the building it became accessible to the public in November 2025 through a new observation deck attraction, where visitors can also buy outgoing crystals from the ball as keepsakes. On New Year's Eve the climax begins at 11:59:00 p.m. ET, when the ball descends a specially designed flagpole and comes to rest at 12:00:00 a.m. to signal the start of the new year. The drop is activated from a control room within One Times Square, synchronized using a National Institute of Standards and Technology time signal received via satellite, with a ceremonial button pressed on-stage by the mayor of New York City and invited dignitaries. The current seventh iteration of the ball, which debuted for 2025–26, is 12.5 feet (3.8 m) in diameter and carries more than 5,000 circular crystal panels of varying sizes, made by Waterford Crystal with inscriptions and designs representing a yearly theme.
- Confetti at midnight: at least 3,000 pounds (1,400 kg) of confetti are dropped over Times Square, overseen since 1992 by Treb Heining and thrown by a team of 100 volunteers lining the rooftops of eight Times Square buildings.
- The "blizzard" effect: Heining developed the event's signature look using larger confetti pieces better suited to the outdoor environment.
- Messages of hope: since 2007–08, some confetti pieces have been inscribed with wishes submitted through a public "Wishing Wall" erected in Times Square, where visitors can write messages directly, as well as through the Times Square website.
- Fireworks and soundtrack: when the drop concludes, a numeral sign indicating the new year is illuminated and a fireworks show launches from the roof of One Times Square, backed by a medley that has traditionally included "Auld Lang Syne" as performed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians and "Theme from New York, New York" as performed by Frank Sinatra.
Join the Crowd, or Find Your Own Corner of the Night
The Times Square celebration is the city's anchor event, but it is not the only way to spend the evening. The prevalence of the ball drop has inspired similar "drops" at other local New Year's Eve events across the country — some using balls, others dropping objects that represent local culture or history — so if the pens and the security lines aren't for you, look for a neighbourhood celebration with its own countdown character. Wherever you land, expect the evening to build slowly: the opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m., entertainment through the evening, and the drop at the very end.
What to Know Before You Go
Security in Times Square is strictly enforced by the NYPD and has been intensified since the 2001–02 edition in the wake of the September 11 attacks. It was increased further for 2017–18 following recent incidents including the truck attack in New York on October 31 and the 2017 Las Vegas shooting, with additional patrols of Times Square hotels, rooftop patrol squads and counter-snipers, and reflective markers installed on buildings to help officers identify the location of elevated shooters. For 2018–19, the NYPD announced its intent to use a camera-equipped quadcopter to augment the over 1,200 fixed cameras monitoring Times Square, though it was left grounded due to inclement weather.
- Arrive early and pack light: pens fill sequentially, and checkpoints mean no backpacks and no alcohol.
- Dress for standing outdoors: you will be on your feet in the cold for hours.
- Expect corporate branding: party favours distributed to attendees have historically carried sponsor branding, a tradition dating to the event's origins.
A Tradition More Than a Century Old
The event was first organized by then-New York Times owner Adolph Ochs, expanding on New Year's fireworks displays he had held at the building since 1904 to promote its status as the newspaper's headquarters. The ball was designed by sign company Artkraft Strauss, inspired by the time ball at the Western Union Telegraph Building, and was first dropped on December 31, 1907, to welcome 1908. It has been held annually since, except in 1942 and 1943, when wartime blackouts during World War II suspended it. The ball has been updated six times to reflect improvements in lighting technology: the original was 5 feet (1.5 m) in diameter, built from wood and iron and lit by 100 incandescent bulbs, while the sixth iteration contained over 32,000 LEDs. Since 1999–2000 the outer surface has typically consisted of crystal panels manufactured by Waterford Crystal.
Start with the calendar: December 31 is fixed, but your vantage point is a choice. Decide whether you want the pens and the midnight confetti, the observation deck and its year-round view of the ball, or a smaller neighbourhood drop with its own local flavour — then plan your arrival, your layers, and your route home before the fireworks fade over One Times Square.