11,875 pounds; 2,668 Waterford Crystals; more than 16 million vibrant colors forming billions of patterns – no one does New Year's Eve like New York City.
For those brave – or drunk – enough to battle the crowds and the cold, there's nothing like watching the glittering 12-foot geodesic sphere, a.k.a. the famous New Year's Eve "ball", drop in Times Square at midnight on December 31.
For much of the world, Times Square is New York City. It's one of the most recognizable New York images, which is why it's always teeming with tourists – and New Year's Eve is no exception.
The tradition of ringing in the new year in New York's most electrifying district dates back 105 years, when the inaugural celebration commemorated the official opening of the new headquarters of The New York Times.
Today, the ball-lowering attracts people from around the globe who travel to be a part of the festive evening.
Surrounding streets are closed off by 4:00 PM and revelers begin arriving shortly thereafter. The
opening ceremonies, including the lighting and raising of the ball and musical performances, commence at 6:00 PM. No alcohol is permitted in the sectioned off bow-tie of Times Square but that doesn't stop thousands of visitors from getting rowdy.
