When the second-by-second countdown to midnight on December 31 starts, the eyes of the world are on New York’s Times Square, gathering place for hundreds of thousands of revelers and focal point for a billion worldwide television viewers.The event is a global tradition, a collective farewell to the departing year as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball descend from the flagpole atop One Times Square at midnight.
Here is the schedule for the New Year’s Eve festivities:
4pm: The Revelers
Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 4pm, the “bow tie” of Times Square (42nd–47th Streets, between Broadway and Seventh Avenue) becomes a focal point for the festivities. The NYPD will direct revelers to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, police will direct new arrivals to the next section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and as far north as Central Park.
6–6:03 pm - 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.
11:59pm - The 60-Second Countdown
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the Times Square 2010 special guest (to be announced) will push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the 60-second countdown to the New Year atop the Countdown Stage at Duffy Square (the center island from Broadway to Seventh Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets).
Midnight - 2010 Sign
At the stroke of midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals “2010” are illuminated high above Times Square.
Several events will take place leading up to the ball drop, including:
Confetti Wishing Wall–The Confetti Wishing Wall will be at the Times Square Information Center, located at Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets). New Year’s Eve is a time when people of every background come together to express a collective hope for renewal; a yearning for a better personal or global future can sometimes take the form of resolutions or wishes. With that in mind, visitors to the Information Center are invited to write their wishes and resolutions for 2010 on pieces of paper, which will be displayed on the wall. For those who cannot make it to Times Square to add their wishes, a virtual wall has been created at timessquarenyc.org. At midnight on December 31, the wish papers will become part of the confetti that rains down on the City. (Note: specific dates of Confetti Wishing Wall to be posted at timessquarenyc.org)
Good Riddance Day—The co-organizers of New Year’s Eve in Times Square (Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment) are inviting the public to say good-bye, once and for all, to those bad memories at the third annual Good Riddance Day. Shredders will be available for use in Duffy Square so everyone can discard their distasteful, embarrassing and downright depressing memories from 2009. (Note: specific date of Good Riddance Day to be posted at timessquarenyc.org)
Other New Year’s Eve Events in NYC:
For those seeking other New Year’s Eve entertainment options beyond Times Square, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises is offering a New Year’s Eve party cruise, which includes a full open bar, hors d’oeuvres, a nonstop DJ, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets for the three-hour cruise are $120 (must be 18 for the cruise, and 21 to drink alcohol). For more information, click on the ”special events” section of circleline42.com.
If a New Year’s Eve run around Central Park appeals to you, check out the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, hosted by New York Road Runners. There will be a DJ and dancing at 10pm, a costume parade and contest at 11pm, and fireworks and a four-mile race at midnight. More information can be found at nyrr.org.
Brooklyn residents and visitors can take part in the borough’s largest New Year’s Eve party at Grand Army Plaza, which will include fireworks and live music. The best viewing locations for the fireworks are within Grand Army Plaza, along West Drive in Prospect Park, and along Prospect Park West between Grand Army Plaza and Ninth Street. For more information, go to prospectpark.org.
For more information about visiting New York City, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of top events and festivals in New York, or check out the City’s official tourism website at nycgo.com.
Photo courtesy Countdown Entertainment