New York City is running into a new year this weekend, and with that comes the annual festivities at the Crossroads of the World.

Whether you’re planning to ring in 2024 with Times Square revelers, avoid the area at all costs or celebrate from the comfort of your couch, here’s what to know ahead of the holiday. 

When is the Times Square ball drop happening? 

The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball will rise to the top of its pole at One Times Square, at the intersection of West 43rd Street and Broadway, around 6 p.m. on Sunday, the Times Square Alliance says. It will begin its descent a minute before the stroke of midnight. 

The alliance unveiled a new bowtie lighting display pattern for the nearly 12,000-pound crystal sphere earlier this week.

Where are the viewing areas? 

New Yorkers and tourists hoping to take part in the festivities can access Times Square’s viewing areas via West 49th, West 52nd and West 56th streets on Sixth and Eighth avenues. 

Attendees with disabilities will be able to take in the spectacle from a designated viewing area at West 44th Street and Broadway. The entrance to the viewing area will be at the southwest corner of West 44th Street and Sixth Avenue.

Viewing areas open to the public Sunday afternoon and operate on a ticket-free, first-come, first-served basis.

Who is scheduled to perform before the ball drops?

The alliance has a full program of events on its website. Artists including Megan Thee Stallion, Paul Anka, Flo Rida, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyla are slated to perform. 

Mayor Eric Adams, meanwhile, is expected to put in an appearance just after 11 p.m., the alliance says.

How can I watch remotely? 

The alliance will stream the celebration online starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Viewers can watch the commercial-free webcast via computer or mobile device. 

NY1's own “Countdown to 2024” will kick off at 11 p.m., with Dean Meminger hosting the station’s special coverage and Shannan Ferry and Roger Clark reporting from Times Square. 

Viewers will also get updates from George Whipple, who will be attending the Peakaboo New Year’s Eve party in Hudson Yards.

Which streets will be closed? 

The following streets will close at the following times on Sunday:

  • 4 a.m. — Seventh Avenue between West 42nd and West 48th streets will close to vehicle traffic
  • 4 a.m. — West 43rd to West 48th streets between Sixth and Eighth avenues will close to vehicle traffic
  • Approximately 11 a.m. — West 38th to West 59th streets between Broadway and Seventh Avenue will close to traffic

The NYPD will also cordon off the Times Square viewing areas as they fill up, and close the following pedestrian access points: 

  • West 49th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues
  • West 52nd Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues
  • West 56th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues

Are there subway and bus service changes to look out for? 

There are some service changes to look out for on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but the MTA says taking public transit is still “the best way to ring in the New Year in New York City.” 

Subways and buses will be running on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, with some exceptions, the MTA says: 

  • Uptown 1 trains will skip 50th Street between 11:45 p.m. on Sunday and 12:15 a.m. on Monday
  • N, Q and R trains will skip 49th Street between 11:45 p.m. on Sunday and 12:15 a.m. on Monday
  • Exits to street level at Times Square-42nd Street will be subject to NYPD closures on New Year’s Eve
  • Additional subway service will run on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, C, D, L, N, Q, R and 42nd Street shuttle lines on New Year’s Eve to help riders get to Times Square
  • Midtown bus routes are subject to detours around road closures on New Year’s Eve

The MTA says paratransit riders will have access to full service on both days, but should “be aware of alternate drop off locations when making reservations to NYC Open Streets corridors,” including the Times Square area on New Year’s Eve.

What about the LIRR and Metro-North?

Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad riders should expect the following on New Year’s Eve, per the MTA: 

  • The LIRR will be on a weekend/holiday schedule, with the addition of extra evening westbound trains
  • For westbound customers attending events in New York City, LIRR will operate 12 additional evening trains. Eight extra trains will operate to Penn Station and four extra trains will operate to Grand Central Madison
  • Metro-North will operate on a Sunday schedule. Additional outbound service from Grand Central Terminal will operate after midnight until 5 a.m. 
  • On West of Hudson lines, additional service will run after midnight on the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis lines
  • Off-peak fares will be in effect

On New Year’s Day, the LIRR and Metro-North will operate as follows, the MTA says:

  • The LIRR will operate on a regular weekend/holiday schedule, with extra trains for commuters heading home after New Year’s Eve events
  • Fifteen additional early morning eastbound trains will operate to Long Island, nine extra trains will operate from Penn Station and six extra trains will operate from Grand Central Madison
  • The LIRR will provide extra post-event service from Elmont-UBS Arena following the Billy Joel concert scheduled for New Year’s Eve
  • Metro-North will operate on a special schedule, with hourly service at most stations

What is the weather forecast?

Revelers will likely be ringing in the new year under partly cloudy to mostly clear skies, with no rain or snow on tap.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s, which will make for a chillier celebration than last year’s, when temperatures were in the 50s.