At 11:59 PM on December 31, the Times Square Ball begins its 60-second descent above One Times Square, and around a million people in the street count down together. Watching the Times Square Ball Drop in person is free, but it takes planning: the crowd forms by mid-afternoon, and once you are in, you stay put for hours. Here is what to expect on New Year’s Eve, from the first barricade to the last piece of confetti.
The night at a glance
- Viewing areas fillThe NYPD closes the streets around the Bow Tie (42nd to 47th Street) and fills the viewing areas block by block, moving north.
- The Ball is lit and raisedThe Ball lights up and climbs the flagpole atop One Times Square. The live entertainment begins.
- Performances and party favorsMusical acts take the Times Square stage through the night, and hats, glasses and noisemakers are handed out in the crowd.
- The descentThe Ball drops for 60 seconds while the crowd counts down the final ten.
- Happy New Year“2027” lights up above Times Square and about 3,000 pounds of confetti fall from the rooftops.
When to arrive and where to enter
There are no tickets to stand in the street, and no reserved spots. The best views go to whoever gets there first. Many people arrive by early afternoon to see the Ball from Broadway near 43rd Street, and the viewing areas close one by one as they fill, eventually reaching as far north as Central Park.
Enter from Sixth Avenue or Eighth Avenue, not from Broadway or Seventh Avenue, and expect police checkpoints. The Ball is easiest to see along Broadway from 43rd to 50th Street and along Seventh Avenue up to 59th Street. Subway exits near Times Square get crowded or restricted, so plan to come in from a station on Sixth or Eighth Avenue.
Inside the viewing areas: the rules
- No bathrooms. There are no public restrooms in the viewing areas, and nearby businesses are usually closed to the crowd.
- No alcohol. Drinking is not allowed in the street viewing areas.
- No large bags, backpacks or umbrellas. Bring only what fits in your pockets.
- No coming back. Leave a viewing area for any reason and you will not get back in.
- No food vendors. Eat beforehand and bring a small snack if your checkpoint allows it.
Dress for six to nine hours outdoors. Late-December nights in New York usually hover around freezing, so wear layers, warm boots, a hat and gloves.
Meet the new Constellation Ball
December 31, 2025 brought a new Ball: the Constellation Ball, the ninth in Times Square history. It measures 12.5 feet across, weighs about 12,350 pounds and is covered in 5,280 circular Waterford crystals. It stays on top of One Times Square all year, high above the crowd. Want the full story? Read the history of the Times Square Ball Drop.
How to watch if you can’t be there
The countdown airs live on network TV, led by Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC, and the Times Square Alliance streams the Ball Drop free online. Performers are usually announced in December.
Times Square New Year’s Eve: questions people ask
What time does the Ball drop in Times Square?
The Ball starts its 60-second descent at 11:59 PM and lands at midnight. It is lit and raised to the top of the flagpole at 6:00 PM.
Is it free to watch the Ball Drop in Times Square?
Yes. Street viewing is free and has no tickets. Anyone selling “tickets” to the street is not legitimate. Ticketed parties with a view are a separate option.
Are there bathrooms in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
No. There are no public restrooms in the viewing areas, and if you leave to find one you cannot come back in.
Can you drink in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
No. Alcohol is not allowed in the street viewing areas. Parties nearby serve drinks indoors.
How early should I get to Times Square?
For a view of the Ball near 43rd Street, plan to arrive by early afternoon. Later arrivals end up farther north, sometimes past 50th Street.
How many people are in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
Around a million people, by most estimates, fill the streets from 43rd Street north, with many more watching on TV around the world.
Where is the best place to watch the Ball Drop?
In the street, Broadway between 43rd and 47th Street faces the Ball directly. For a warm, reserved view, choose a party with a live view of the Ball Drop.
So that leaves one question: where will you be when the Ball drops?
