What to know about the 2024 Times Square ball drop this New Year’s Eve
Image courtesy of Kohei Kanno on Flickr
New York City’s world-famous New Year’s Eve celebration returns to the Big Apple on Sunday. Revelers will camp out for the best spots to view the 11,875-pound crystal ball as it descends from One Times Square to ring in 2024. Ahead, find everything you need to know about the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, from the best in-person viewing spots to how to watch the event from home.
When does the celebration begin?
The celebration officially kicks off at 6 p.m. when the ball is raised to the top of the pole at One Times Square. Revelers intent on securing a good viewing spot are encouraged to get there early, as the entrance to the viewing areas opens on a first-come first-served basis.
The ball drop begins at exactly 11:59 p.m. and makes a 60-second descent down the pole to ring in the New Year.
Where can I see the ball drop in person?
There are three access points to the viewing areas:
- 49th Street from 6th & 8th Avenues
- 52nd Street from 6th & 8th Avenues
- 56th Street from 6th & 8th Avenues
The ball drop can also be seen outside of the designated viewing areas, along Broadway from 43rd Street to 50th Street, and along 7th Avenue up to 59th Street.
Those planning on attending the ball drop are strongly advised to travel to Times Square using public transportation, as the streets surrounding the area will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at midday on Sunday.
It is also recommended that you bring food and water, but make sure not to store them in large bags or backpacks. Keep in mind that there will be no public restrooms available and expect that most of the surrounding businesses won’t let revelers use their own.
The event will have designated areas for visitors with disabilities, located at 44th Street and Broadway, and can be accessed at the southwest corner of 44th Street and 6th Avenue.
Which streets will be closed?
On Sunday around 4 a.m., the following streets will be shutdown:
- 7th Avenue from 42nd to 49th Streets
- Broadway from 43rd to 49th Streets
- 43rd to 48th Streets from 6th to 8th Avenues
Additional streets will be closed starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday:
- Southbound 7th Avenue and Broadway from 38th to 57th Streets, from 6th to 8th Avenues
- 38th to 56th Streets, from 6th to 8th Avenues
The following closures apply to commercial and large vehicles, including trucks, starting at 11 a.m. on Sunday:
- North on 6th Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
- North on 8th Avenue from 34th to 59th Streets
- East of 9th Avenue from 37th to 59th Streets
- West of 5th Avenue from 35th to 59th Streets
How will the subway be running?
On Sunday, subways will run on a regular Sunday schedule except for the following lines:
- Uptown 1 trains will skip 50th Street between 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, and 12:15 a.m. on Monday, January 1.
- N, Q, and R trains will skip 49th Street between 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, and 12:15 a.m. on Monday, January 1.
- Exits to street level at Times Square-42nd Street will be subject to NYPD closures on New Year’s Eve.
- Additional subway service will run on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, C, D, L, N, Q, R, and 42nd Street S lines on New Year’s Eve to help riders get to the festivities in Times Square.
Who is performing this year?
The musical performers at this year’s event are Paul Anka, Flo Rida, Megan Thee Stallion, Jelly Roll, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyla, and more. There will also be dance performances by the Sino-American Friendship Association and AGNEW.
How can I watch from home?
Those who would rather enjoy the ball drop from the comfort of their own home can watch the celebration online at TimesSquareNYC.org starting at 6 p.m. The stream runs for six and a half hours with no commercials.
TV networks will also be hosting their own live New Year’s Eve specials, including ABC’s famous “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve,” which begins at 8 p.m. and is co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora.
CNN’s event will be co-hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen for the seventh consecutive year and kicks off at 8 p.m. The show will feature musical performances by Enrique Iglesias, Maroon 5, the Jonas Brothers, Miranda Lambert, and more.
Plus, Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square is bringing back its virtual New Year’s Eve experience with the VNYE app, which includes a live stream of the ball drop as well as a virtual tour of Times Square and games.
More information on the 2024 Times Square Ball Drop can be found here.
And for those who would rather avoid the crowds and not spend hundreds of dollars celebrating the New Year, we’ve created a list of affordable NYE events happening across the five boroughs here.
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