Spectators are welcomed back to Times Square to watch the Ball Drop in person once again — proof of full vaccination and valid photo identification was already required, but now there are a few more rules. This includes:
- Only about 15,000 people will be welcome (usually there are around 58,000)
- Entry won’t be allowed until 3 p.m.
- Attendees will be required to wear masks
- Unvaccinated minors under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult
This means that on December 31, 2021, the visitor is at least 14 days after their second dose of a two dose COVID-19 vaccine OR at least 14 days after their single dose of an approved single dose COVID-19 vaccine. Attendees who are age 5 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter the event.
If you are unable to get vaccinated due to a disability, you must:
- Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the event; and
- If medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the event.
The full schedule and performances have still not been revealed, but we expect it will be a grand return — especially compared to last year’s quite empty celebration!
As usual, there are no tickets or reservations — just first come, first served for standing room.
BREAKING: @NYCMayor announces that New Year’s Eve in @TimesSquareNYC is BACK at Brooklyn Borough Hall #inBrooklyn.
We have fun. https://t.co/whheEaB3kC pic.twitter.com/nIkOjd0vwa
— City of New York (@nycgov) November 16, 2021
You can also watch the LIVE, six-and-a-half-hour, commercial-free webcast starting at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 on TimesSquareNYC.org. The VR video game app will return this year as well.
Visitors and New Yorker alike have been celebrating the New Year in Times Square since as far back as 1904, with the ball making its first decent in 1907. The NYE Ball weighs 11,875 pounds and is covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles!
Keep up to date on more details of this year’s festivities with the Times Square Alliance here.