Around the world, the Times Square ball drop is considered the official countdown to the New Year — so much so, in fact, that nearly one billion people tune in to watch the ceremony every year. Located on the roof of One Times Square, the ball is a prominent part of a New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square commonly referred to as the ball drop, where the ball descends 141 feet (43 m) in 60 seconds down a specially designed flagpole, beginning at 11:59:00 p.m. ET, and resting at midnight to signal the start of the new year.
Festivities formally begin in the early evening with the raising of the ball at around 6:00 p.m. ET, upon the conclusion of the 20-second “6 Hours to Go” countdown at 5:59:40. Party favors are distributed to attendees, which have historically included large balloons, hats, and other items branded with the event’s corporate sponsors.[ The hours before the drop are preceded by hourly countdowns for the arrival of the new year in other countries, along with live music performances by popular musicians. But the NYE tradition also has an interesting history.
History of Times Square Ball Drop
In 1903, The New York Times newspaper was about to open their new headquarters, the city’s second tallest building, in what was then known as Longacre Square. The paper’s owner, Adolph Ochs, decided to commemorate their opening with a midnight fireworks show on the roof of the building on December 31, 1903. After four years of New Year’s Eve fireworks celebrations, Ochs wanted a bigger spectacle at the building to draw more attention to the newly-renamed Times Square. An electrician was hired to construct a lighted Ball to be lowered from the flagpole on the roof of One Times Square. The very first drop was on New Year’s Eve 1907, one second after midnight.
The first New Year’s Eve Ball, made of iron and wood and adorned with one hundred 25-watt light bulbs, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. It was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, and for most of the twentieth century the company he founded, sign maker Artkraft Strauss, was responsible for lowering the Ball.
As part of the 1907-1908 festivities, waiters in the fabled “lobster palaces” and other deluxe eateries in hotels surrounding Times Square were supplied with battery-powered top hats emblazoned with the numbers “1908” fashioned of tiny light bulbs. At the stroke of midnight, they all “flipped their lids” and the year on their foreheads lit up in conjunction with the numbers “1908” on the parapet of the Times Tower lighting up to signal the arrival of the new year.
The Ball has been lowered every year since 1907, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1943, when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime “dimout” of lights in New York City. Nevertheless, the crowds still gathered in Times Square in those years and greeted the New Year with a minute of silence followed by the ringing of chimes from sound trucks parked at the base of the tower—a harkening-back to the earlier celebrations at Trinity Church, where crowds would gather to “ring out the old, ring in the new.”
In 1920, a 400 pound Ball made entirely of wrought iron replaced the original. In 1955, the iron Ball was replaced with an aluminum Ball weighing a mere 150 pounds. This aluminum Ball remained unchanged until the 1980s, when red light bulbs and the addition of a green stem converted the Ball into an apple for the “I Love New York” marketing campaign from 1981 until 1988. After seven years, the traditional glowing white Ball with white light bulbs and without the green stem returned to brightly light the sky above Times Square. In 1995, the Ball was upgraded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, strobes, and computer controls, but the aluminum Ball was lowered for the last time in 1998.
For Times Square 2000, the millennium celebration at the Crossroads of the World, the New Year’s Eve Ball was completely redesigned by Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting. The crystal Ball combined the latest in lighting technology with the most traditional of materials, reminding us of our past as we gazed into the future and the beginning of a new millennium.
In 2007, for the 100th anniversary of the Times Square Ball Drop tradition, Waterford Crystal and Philips Lighting crafted a spectacular new LED crystal Ball. The incandescent and halogen bulbs of the past century were replaced by state-of-the-art Philips Luxeon LED lighting technology that dramatically increased the brightness and color capabilities of the Ball.
Times square ball facts
The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds.
The Ball is covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that vary in size, and range in length from 4 ¾ inches to 5 ¾ inches per side.
For Times Square 2019, 192 Waterford Crystal triangles introduce the new Gift of Harmony design of small rosette cuts flowing into each other in beautiful harmony. 288 are the Gift of Serenity design of butterflies flying peacefully above a crystal meadow, capturing the spirit of serenity. 288 are the Gift of Kindness design, consisting of a circle of rosettes symbolizing unity with the fronds reaching out in an expression of kindness. 288 are the Gift Of Wonder design composed by a faceted starburst, inspiring our sense of wonder. 288 are the Gift of Fortitude design of diamond cuts on either side of a crystal pillar to represent the inner attributes of resolve, courage, and spirit necessary to triumph over adversity. The remaining 1,248 triangles are the Gift of Imagination design with a series of intricate wedge cuts that are mirrored reflections of each other, inspiring our imagination.
The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball.
The Ball is illuminated by 32,256 LEDs (light emitting diodes). Each LED module contains 48 LEDs — 12 red, 12 blue, 12 green, and 12 white for a total of 8,064 of each color.
The Ball is capable of displaying a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns that creates a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.
Watch Times Square Ball Drop online
For those who don’t want to battle the crowds and freezing temperaturs in person — or simply aren’t from New York City — the event will also be livestreamed, giving you chance to celebrate with the iconic tradition. Livestream will be available below!
2019 Live Schedule
6:00 p.m. to 6:03 p.m.
Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. The representatives of the Sino-American Friendship Association flip the giant switch which lights the New Year’s Eve Ball and begins its ascent accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:04 p.m. to 6:07 p.m.
Good Riddance Day Highlights
Allison Hagendorf will share highlights from Good Riddance Day with the Times Square revelers from the Countdown Stage.
6:07 p.m. to 6:21 p.m.
SAFA Chinese Cultural Performance
The Sino-American Friendship Association (“SAFA”) presents a spectacular Chinese cultural performance from Chongqing China to begin the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration. The performance is on the Countdown Stage at Duffy Island between 46th and 47th Streets. The Chinese cultural performance will conclude with red and gold pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:25 p.m.
Times Square 2019 Hats, Balloons, Scarves and Gloves
The Times Square Alliance sanitation crew clad in bright red uniforms begins to distribute tens of thousands of fun handouts to the Times Square revelers for cheering in the New Year. Planet Fitness is providing festive purple and yellow New Year’s Eve hats along with purple & yellow balloons tied with gold mylar ribbons. The Sino-American Friendship Association is providing beautiful red scarves. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is providing warm blue gloves.
6:46 p.m. to 6:56 p.m.
FOX New Year’s Eve Performance by Robin Thicke
Robin Thicke performs medley of his hit songs Magic, Living in New York City and Blurred Lines on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
6:58 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Steve Harvey
As we approach the New Year, Steve Harvey will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 7 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. He will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
7:01 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.
Planet Fitness “Judgement Free” with Jenny McCarthy
Jenny McCarthy will lead the revelers in a fun “Judgement Free” moment.
7:39 p.m. to 7:44 p.m.
Planet Fitness Presents The Lab
The Lab dance crew will perform their energetic and intricate choreography on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
7:45 p.m. to 7:48 p.m.
LOT Radio Streams the Best and Most Varied Music to Ring in 2019
7:57 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with the Committee to Protect Journalists
As we approach the New Year, Joel Simon, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists and Maria Ressa, Filipino journalist & CEO of the Rappler.com news organization, will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 8 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. They will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
8:02 p.m. to 8:07 p.m.
The USO Show Troupe Performance
The USO Show Troupe performs a Military Salute to honor our Armed Forces on the Countdown Stage.
8:11 p.m. to 8:23 p.m.
Musical Performance by Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha performs her hit songs Meant to Be; Me, Myself & I; I’m a Mess on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
8:23 p.m. to 8:26 p.m.
Waterford Crystal Toast
8:32 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Dan + Shay
Dan + Shay performs a medley of their hit songs Tequila and All To Myself on the Countdown Stage.
8:52 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.
Guardian Band Showcases the Defender Watch
8:58 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with FNC’s “All-American New Year”
As we approach the New Year, FNC hosts Kennedy and Pete Hegseth will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 9 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. They will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share their wishes for the New Year.
9:02 p.m. to 9:14 p.m.
Musical Performance by lovelytheband
lovelytheband performs their hit songs broken, these are my friends and maybe, I’m afraid on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
9:15 p.m. to 9:18 p.m.
Ninja Leads Revelers in “The Floss” Dance Moves
9:25 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Barefoot Bubbly & Lance Bass “Sleighin’ the Holidays”
9:36 p.m. to 9:43 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by New Kids On The Block
New Kids On The Block performs medley of their hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
9:50 p.m. to 9:53 p.m.
Chongqing Happy New Year Message
9:57 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Planet Fitness
As we approach the New Year, Roger Chacko from Planet Fitness will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 10 o’clock hour accompanied by purple and yellow confetti release and colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. He will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
10:02 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.
Univision’s ¡Feliz 2019!: Performance by Mau y Ricky with Lali Esposito
Mau y Ricky featuring Lali Esposito perform a medley of their hit songs Mi Mala, Desconocidos and Ya No Tiene Novio on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
10:11 p.m. to 10:14 p.m.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Celebrates 100th Anniversary
10:20 p.m. to 10:25 p.m.
FOX New Year’s Eve Performance by Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg performs medley of his hit songs on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
10:38 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Bastille
Bastille performs medley of his hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
10:57 p.m. to 11:01 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Raúl de Molina
As we approach the New Year, Raúl de Molina will appear at the Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 11 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. He will also read several of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
11:01 p.m. to 11:09 p.m.
Univision’s ¡Feliz 2019!: Performance by Paulina Rubio
Paulina Rubio performs medley of her hit songs on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
11:10 p.m. to 11:13 p.m.
The Associated Press Presents 2018 Year-In-Review Video Highlights
The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news gathering organization, presents a news reel highlighting some of the most memorable events of 2018.
11:19 p.m. to 11:24 p.m.
FOX New Year’s Eve Performance by Sting
Sting performs his hit song Brand New Day on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
11:37 p.m. to 11:47 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Performance by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera performs medley of her hit songs on the Countdown Stage.
11:55 p.m. to 11:58 p.m.
Special Musical Performance by Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha performs John Lennon’s Imagine on the Planet Fitness Center Stage.
11:59 p.m.
The Sixty-Second Countdown
The Mayor of New York City joined by Times Square 2019 Special Guest push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year on the Countdown Stage.
The Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The lighted Ball descends 70 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 LEDs.
12:00 a.m. — New Year’s Day
2019 Sign
At the stroke of Midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals of the New Year “2019” burst to life shining high above Times Square.
Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects
The world-famous New Year’s Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects. The three thousand pounds of confetti includes tens of thousands of wishes from revelers around the world hoping for peace, love, good health and a better future in the new year.
12:15 a.m. — End of Show
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