Thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers from near and far flooded Times Square to witness the iconic ball drop — braving sub-freezing temperatures and an expected burst of light snowfall.

New York City is getting ready to ring in New Year's Eve 2026 with the ball drop countdown in Times Square Wednesday night. Temperatures when the clock strikes midnight will likely be the coldest in eight years, and some snow could be flying along with the confetti.

For 122 years, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year’s Eve, ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year. The first Ball Lowering celebration occurred in 1907, and this tradition is now a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.

From music legend Diana Ross to hip-hop star 50 Cent, performers across New York and beyond will help usher in the new year with live sets throughout the night.

An estimated one million people packed out Times Square for New Year’s Eve celebrations, as New Yorkers welcomed the arrival of 2026.

The lineup for Wednesday night’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 now includes even more performers and more locations celebrating the new year.

Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will return as co-hosts of CNN’s New Year’s Eve special, hosting the show live from Times Square.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2026' returns with its most expansive and longest broadcast to date, featuring 42 performers.

The 2025 New Year’s Eve ball drop and fireworks shows mark the arrival of 2026 with iconic countdowns, dazzling light displays, and celebrations around the world.

Tonight’s "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" broadcast features a star-studded lineup of performers. Here’s who’s taking the stage and headlining the show.