New Year's Eve Times Square Ball Drop 2027

The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop has been a fixture of New York City’s New Year since 1907. The famous Waterford Crystal ball descends the flagpole atop One Times Square beginning at 11:59pm, reaching the bottom exactly at midnight, accompanied by fireworks and confetti that together weigh over 70 tonnes. The event is broadcast live to an estimated global television audience of over a billion people; in Times Square itself, the crowd is estimated at 58,000 or more.

What it’s actually like to be there

Attending in person is a commitment that requires planning and physical stamina. The NYPD begins cordoning off sections of Times Square in the early afternoon — sometimes before noon — and once in a pen, you cannot leave and return. There are no chairs, no toilets within the pens, and no food vendors inside the secured area. The wait from entering a pen to midnight can be 6-8 hours. Dress for wind and cold: December 31 in New York averages around 2-4°C, and standing still for hours makes it feel significantly colder.

Entry to the public viewing area is free and does not require a ticket. Pens are filled on a first-come basis via entry checkpoints on surrounding streets. 42nd Street crossings and entrances on 7th Avenue near 46th Street are typically the main access points, though the NYPD adjusts the layout each year.

Alternative viewing options

Many New Yorkers who want to see the ball drop without the queue watch from rooftop bars, hotel bars with north-facing views, or from slightly further away on 6th Avenue or Broadway. Several hotels along 7th Avenue and Broadway sell New Year’s Eve packages with guaranteed views; book these 6-12 months in advance as they sell out early.

Getting there and getting home

Subway runs all night on December 31 in New York. Arrive before 3pm if you want a position near Times Square; by early evening the security perimeter expands and street access becomes very restricted. After midnight, plan for a long wait for trains — platforms are packed — or walk to a quieter station before boarding.

Read our guide to New York City for where to stay and how to navigate the city.