New York City, New York, United States
New Year's Eve in Times Square
The most famous countdown on Earth, and a long, cold, bathroom-free wait to see it in person.
The straight answer
The Times Square ball drops at midnight on December 31 every year, and to get a spot in the viewing pens you need to arrive by early afternoon and stay put for many hours.
The New Year's Eve ball drops at midnight on December 31 from the roof of One Times Square, and it has been dropping there, with a few wartime pauses, since the first ball drop in 1907. Watching it in person is free, with no tickets, and it is also one of the most demanding nights out in America.
Here is the part the TV broadcast leaves out. The viewing areas are fenced pens running up Broadway and Seventh Avenue, filled first come first served after security screening. People start arriving in the morning, the best pens fill by early afternoon, and once you leave a pen you cannot come back. There are no public restrooms inside, and no food vendors, so the wait from afternoon to midnight is ten hours or more standing in the cold.
If that sounds grueling, it is, and many New Yorkers would never do it. But for some people it is a once-in-a-lifetime night, and with the right plan it can be a great one: confetti falling, a million voices counting down, and a crowd from every corner of the world.
The event, explained
The evening includes live music performances on stages for the broadcast, hourly countdowns, and the lighting and raising of the ball in the early evening. At 11:59pm the ball begins its descent, and at midnight tons of confetti fall over the crowd, many of the pieces carrying handwritten wishes collected in the weeks before.
The ball itself is covered in crystal panels and thousands of LED lights, and it stays on top of the building year-round. The giant numeral sign showing the new year is lit at midnight.
Security is extensive. Entry is through checkpoints at side streets off Sixth and Eighth Avenues; large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and alcohol are prohibited, and police close off streets progressively through the afternoon.
How to play it right
- 01Arrive early. The best pens nearest the stages fill by early afternoon; arriving by midafternoon still usually gets you in, but further up. Late arrivals may be turned away as the area closes.
- 02Prepare for the wait. Eat a big meal before you go, limit liquids, and carry small snacks in your pockets. Many people wear adult diapers, which is not a joke; there are no bathrooms.
- 03Dress for real cold. Midnight on December 31 is often near 30F (minus 1C), with wind between the buildings. Thermal layers, hand warmers, insulated boots, and a hat matter far more than style.
- 04Book hotels early. Rooms in Midtown are expensive that week, and hotels with views of the ball charge premium rates with packages. Restaurants and bars around the square offer ticketed New Year's packages, but most do not have a view of the ball.
- 05Consider the alternatives. Brooklyn's Prospect Park hosts a midnight fireworks show near Grand Army Plaza, and the New York Road Runners Midnight Run in Central Park includes fireworks; both are easier nights than the pens.
- 06Plan your exit. After midnight the crowd leaves at once, subway entrances nearby can be crowded or closed, and walking several blocks away before looking for transport saves time.
With kids in tow
- Times Square on New Year's Eve is not a good plan for young kids: many hours of standing, no restrooms, and deep cold. Most families watch from home or a hotel room.
- Families visiting New York that week can see the ball on display in the days before, or catch the Prospect Park fireworks, which is shorter and more manageable.
- If teens insist on the full experience, go as a group with a firm meeting point, fully charged phones, and a pre-planned route out after midnight.
Book your stay for New Year's Eve in Times Square.
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- Hotels for December
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Hotels in New Year's Eve in Times SquareOpens a hotel search for New Year's Eve in Times Square in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
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Vacation rentals in New Year's Eve in Times SquareWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
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Tours and tickets in New Year's Eve in Times SquareTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New Year's Eve in Times Square for December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
New Year's Eve in Times Square, quick answers
What time does the ball drop in Times Square?
At midnight on December 31. The ball starts its descent at 11:59pm and lands exactly at midnight. It is raised to the top of the pole in the early evening.
Do you need tickets for Times Square on New Year's Eve?
No. Viewing is free and first come first served in fenced pens after security screening. Ticketed parties exist at nearby venues, but most do not have a view of the ball.
What time should I arrive for the ball drop?
By early afternoon for a good spot, by midafternoon at the latest. Pens fill progressively and police close streets as they do.
Are there bathrooms in Times Square on New Year's Eve?
No public restrooms are available in the viewing areas, and leaving a pen means losing your place. Plan ahead and limit liquids.
What can you not bring to Times Square on New Year's Eve?
Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas, and alcohol are prohibited, and everyone passes through security checkpoints. Pack light, in your pockets.
Make a trip of it: New York City
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Best: May to Jun and Sep to Oct
The best time to visit New York City is late April through June or September through early November: comfortable walking weather, the full cultural calendar running, and hotel rates below the December holiday spike.
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