where can i watch the ball drop in new york

You can watch the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop either in person in Midtown Manhattan or on TV/online from anywhere in New York.

In person in New York

If you want to be there live, head to the Times Square area in Midtown Manhattan.

• Best street views are along Broadway from 43rd–50th Street and along Seventh Avenue up to about 59th Street.

• Public viewing is free, first‑come‑first‑served, and streets typically open around mid‑afternoon, with many people arriving hours earlier to secure a spot.

• Once you’re in a viewing pen, you usually can’t re‑enter if you leave, and there are no portable toilets allowed in the event area.

• Some nearby hotels, restaurants, and ticketed parties sell packages with indoor views of the ball and amenities like food, drinks, and restrooms.

Watching on TV or streaming

If you prefer to stay warm, there are many broadcast and streaming options that show the ball drop in New York.

• Network specials like “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC carry the Times Square countdown and ball drop live.

• A free, commercial‑free official webcast is available through the Times Square organizers’ online stream starting in the early evening, showing performances and the ball drop itself.

• Local New York TV stations and major news networks also run live coverage from Times Square leading up to and during the midnight countdown.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.