How to Watch the NYC Ball Drop and New Year’s Eve Performances in Times Square for Free Streaming in 2025
As we head into the final stretch of the 2020s, New Year’s Eve in Times Square remains one of the most iconic celebrations in the world. Here’s how you can join the festivities as the clock strikes midnight and we usher in 2025.
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How Did the Times Square NYE Tradition Begin?
The New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square is steeped in history. The New York Times moved into its new headquarters, Times Tower, in 1904, at the corner of 7th Avenue, Broadway, and 42nd Street. The paper’s owner, Adolph Ochs, convinced local authorities to rename the area—formerly called Longacre Square—to Times Square. To celebrate the opening of One Times Square, Ochs organized a massive New Year’s Eve party, complete with a stunning fireworks display.
The Origins of the Ball Drop
In 1907, following a ban on fireworks for safety reasons, the iconic ball drop tradition was born. A ball was lowered from the flagpole atop One Times Square to mark the arrival of the New Year. The event has continued every year since, except for 1942 and 1943 when wartime lighting restrictions during World War II paused the celebration.
The Evolution of the New Year’s Eve Ball
Over its century-long history, the Times Square ball has undergone several redesigns. The first ball, created by Jacob Starr in 1907, was made of iron, wood, and 100 incandescent light bulbs, weighing 700 pounds and measuring 5 feet in diameter. Over time, the design evolved, with notable changes in 1920, 1955, and 1981. The ball’s most significant redesign came in 1999 when Waterford Crystal created the current version, which is made of 2,688 triangular crystal panels and weighs 12,000 pounds. For the last decade, LED bulbs have lit up the ball, but 2024 will mark the final year of this crystal ball design, with a new version planned for next year.
How to Watch the Ball Drop Online for Free
If you’re not in New York City but want to watch the Times Square ball drop live, you can easily tune in for free. The official Times Square website will stream the event starting at 6 p.m. ET on December 31, 2024. For a fully accessible experience, the live stream will include open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) on YouTube.