As the year 2025 draws to a close and the world readies to celebrate the onset of the year 2026, the traditional Times Square Ball drop event in the American city of New York returns to life in all its festivities and glory. And people all over the world can enjoy it live for free.
📺 Livestream Options and Coverage
The live webcast of the Times Square New Year’s Eve event can be accessed through the official Times Square website starting at around 6:00 p.m. EST on December 31, 2025, up to the midnight countdown. The webcast is free, and it also includes
• Live camera coverage of crowd and Times Square stages.
• Behind-the-scenes action, as well as interviews with actors, actresses
• Open captions and American Sign Language interpretation provided for live streams.
This webcast is accessible via various platforms:
• Official websites related to Times Square (these include TimesSquareNYC.org and Times
• Social media sites including YouTube, Facebook, and X (previously known as Twitter).
• Players for embedding on partner pages and news sites.
Various live versions can now be viewed without commercials, some of which feature additional commentaries from hosts and reporters at a live location.
🌃 The Ball Drop and Countdown
The iconic Times Square ball, a crystal-covered globe in the One Times Square building, drops down a custom-made flagpole in over 60 seconds at 11:59 p.m. ET right when the year 2026 formally arrives at midnight.
This traditional activity has been ongoing since 1907 and symbolically represents the whole world celebrating New Year’s Eve.
🎤 Television Specials and Live Concerts
For those preferring the network television broadcasts, several major networks in the U.S. are providing live programming linked to the celebrations at Times Square for New Year’s Eve:
• “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora, starts about 8:00 p.m. ET and extends late into the night.
• CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live” with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen features coverage of Times Square, as well as other international programming.
• CBS’ “New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash” showcases country music performers but also includes a countdown to the new year.
• Watch NBC’s “A Toast to 2025!” to take a look at a live review show that precedes and surrounds the midnight hour.
Most of these specials can be streamed live through TV streaming platforms such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling TV, and DIRECTV, which provide free trial accounts for first-time subscribers.
📱 Free and Paid Ways to Watch
Whether you are located in New York City or somewhere else around the world, there are many ways to join in on the festivities of Times Square on New Year’s Eve:
• Official online live streaming free access.
• Network TV specials more entertainment, music, and countdown shows.
• Streaming services – allow both free trial access and paid live streaming.
Thus, this blend of online and television coverage will make sure that everyone can participate in celebrating this transition into 2026 with this legendary Times Square ball drop regardless of their current location in the world.