Where to Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square

Two ways to see it live: free in the street viewing areas, which open at 3 PM and need no ticket, or inside one of 10 hotel, rooftop and restaurant parties with a view of the ball, from $649 per person.

See the 10 parties All New Year's Eve parties

10parties on sale$649lowest priceDecember 31Thursday

Hotels with a view of the ball drop

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Times Square lights above a dining room with red carpet and set tables

Dec 31 · 8 PM

M Social Rooftop Times Square New Years Eve

Premiere View of the LIVE Times Square Ball Drop

From $899Get tickets

Times Square crowd and glowing billboards seen through a window as confetti falls on New Year's Eve, with a phone held up

Dec 31 · 8 PM

R Lounge NYC Times Square New Years Eve

Enjoy a Panoramic View of the Live Ball Drop and Times Square Revelers

From $1,350Get tickets

Showgirls in gold sequin costumes and white feather headdresses posing with a singer in a silver gown at a Times Square New

Dec 31 · 8 PM

Marriott Marquis Times Square New Years Eve Gala

Experience the Premier New Year's Eve VIP Party with the #1 View of the Live Ball Drop

From $1,250Get tickets

Times Square crowd below glowing billboards with confetti falling on New Year's Eve, a phone raised to film

Dec 31 · 8:30 PM

Bowtie Bar NYC Times Square New Years Eve

From $1,250Get tickets

Sunlit rooftop lounge at Hyatt Centric Times Square with cushioned banquettes and floor-to-ceiling windows over the skyline

Dec 31 · 9 PM

Hyatt Centric Rooftop Times Square New Years

Watch the Ball Drop Live at the penthouse level of the Hyatt Centric Times Square Hotel.

From $1,599Get tickets

Restaurants with a view of the ball drop

Exterior of Applebee's on 42nd Street in Times Square with large apple signs, Hilton sign and a yellow taxi below

Dec 31 · 7 PM

Applebee's 42nd Street Times Square New Years Party

Experience a Bucket List-Worthy Live View of the Ball Drop!

From $799Get tickets

Exterior of Applebee's in Times Square with large red apple signs, yellow awnings and taxis passing below

Dec 31 · 7 PM

Applebee's 50th Street Times Square New Years Party

Experience an Amazing View of the Live Ball Drop

From $849Get tickets

Times Square at night with glowing Olive Garden neon signs, billboards, yellow taxis and pedestrians on West 48th Street

Dec 31 · 8 PM

Olive Garden Times Square New Year's Eve Party

Exclusive Times Square New Year's Eve – Ball Drop, Buffet, and Open Bar!

From $1,099Get tickets

More parties with a view of the ball drop

Crowd gathered at night in Times Square below lit billboards and skyscrapers on 42nd Street

Dec 31 · 7 PM

AMC 42nd Street Times Square New Years Party

Watch the Ball Drop LIVE from a Terrace on 42nd Street

From $729Get tickets

Dining room at Planet Hollywood Times Square with leather booths, patterned carpet and gold star ceiling lights

Dec 31 · 8 PM

Planet Hollywood Times Square New Year's Eve Party

Celebrate NYE in Times Square’s newest hotspot with a live view of the Times Square Ball Drop!

From $649Get tickets

The free viewing areas in Times Square

The ball starts its 60-second drop at 11:59 PM. The public viewing areas open at 3 PM and fill block by block, first come, first served.

Enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue at the official access streets, posted each December on timessquarenyc.org. No backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, chairs, coolers or alcohol.

No ticket or "pass" sold online gets you into the public viewing areas. Paid tickets are for private parties inside hotels, restaurants and venues.

Times Square New Year's Eve packages: what's included

A party ticket covers food (a buffet or passed appetizers), an open bar for most of the night and a view of the ball, so there is no waiting in the street since the afternoon.

Doors open between 7 and 9 PM and most parties end between midnight and 2 AM. Each party's page shows its menu, bar hours and ticket tiers.

Watching from home? The ball drop is streamed live on the official webcast at timessquarenyc.org.