NYC's New Year Eve Ball Drop
Dec, 2022One of the World's biggest New Year Eve's celebration at Time Square
Location: Time Square, New York City
Date & Time: Dec 31st at 6pm
Event Cost: FREE
Are you ready to experience one of the biggest New Year’s party?
When I say one of the biggest, I am talking about a million of people lining up to see the ball drop at Time Square with millions joining virtually.
The best way to join this party? Well let me share the options with you and you can make a decision.
New Year’s Eve 2023 Full Schedule : Dec 31, 22 – 6 pm to Jan 1, 23 – 12:15 am
Check the above link for time breakdown of the event and performances.
History:
The History of New York’s New Year ball drop tradition is older than World War II, and the event is celebrated with the same excitement every year.
In 1904, the New York Times building relocated to Longacre Square (now Times Square). Since then, the triangular area at the intersection of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Streets got its name Times Square.
Adolph S. Ochs, owner and publisher of The New York Times from 1896 to 1935, sponsored the extravagant all-day celebration, followed by fireworks, to beat any celebration in the area in 1904.
In 1905, the city banned fireworks. So Ochs’ team devised the creative idea of using lights forming numerals (numerals for 2023) and placing them at the top of the building. The numerals were visible from long distances since that time Times building was one of the tallest buildings in NYC.
It was 1907 when the first New Year’s Ball made its appearance for the first time. The Ball has been lowered every year since then, except in 1942 and 1943, due to the wartime “dimout” of lights in New York City. This tradition is now the Universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.
Ways to join the Party:
1. Join LIVE
New York City is the most exciting place on the planet Earth on New Year’s Eve. People from all over the world fly to NYC to welcome the New Year.
If you plan to join the most happening New Years’ party, here are a few things you should know.
Will there be a Ball Drop in 2023?
Yes
When does the celebration begin?
6 pm on Dec 31st
Cost to get into Time Square
It’s Free of cost
How to get there?
Driving: The streets around Time Square will close in the afternoon.
If you are buying a parking spot online at a parking lot, I recommend booking one a few miles away from Time Square. This will help you avoid the traffic or road closures.
Train: Do not use the Time Square station.
Instead, go to either one of these – Penn Station, Herald Square, Rockefeller, Port Authority, or Grand Central.
Is it worth it?
Well, that depends!
It is an iconic event, and if you want to attend it like a bucket list item, below are a few things to consider to make your visit pleasant. It can also help you decide in case you have mixed thoughts.
Now, I get you if you feel you cannot take the crowd that big, especially post-pandemic.
Trust me on this, and I would do the same. In that case, there are several other ways to enjoy the ball drop from the comfort of your home.
Things to consider
1. There are no public bathrooms.
If you heard talks about people wearing diapers to the New Year Ball Drop, you probably heard right. Once in the crowd, it is almost impossible to go out or come back in.
2. Check road and station closures while making arrival plans.
Plan ahead of your arrival at the location. Check the road closure status on Times Square Twitter page.
3. Expect bumping and stomping
Be patient! In a crowd of a million people, you can expect annoying things. The trick is to be prepared and excuse others. Both you and they are there to enjoy.
4. Prepare for the cold
Check the weather for that night, and be prepared to stand outside for hours. As of today, Dec 27th, 2022, it shows a 60% chance of rain.
3. No big bags or backpacks are allowed
Wear a coat or jacket with lots of pockets and keep some protein bars and snacks to eat. You will be there for about 9 hours if you arrive at 3 pm, so be prepared with some light food.
2. Watch the New Year’s eve Ball Drop Online for FREE
If you decide to avoid the crowd and enjoy the live stream from the comfort of your home.
Below are the links to see the webcast , commercial-free.
Mobile Streaming (FREE):
TimesSquareNYC.org
NewYearsEve.nyc
TimesSquareBall.net
WATCH ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook.com/TimesSquareNYC
Twitter.com/TimesSquareNYC
Each year, the webcast is streamed via Facebook Live video at facebook.com/timessquarenyc.
Alright! This is all that I wanted to share with you to help you plan and enjoy New Year’s Eve of 2023. If you go to the event live, let me know about your experience and if there are any suggestions that you would like me to add here to help others.
Whatever you plan to do, make sure you are all set for the time of the countdown for welcoming 2023!!
I Wish you a very Happy New Year!!
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