As the world prepares to ring in 2025 and celebrate moving into the next quarter of the 21st century, millions of eyes will be on New York City’s annual festivities in Times Square.

Whether you’re planning to spend New Year’s Eve at the Crossroads of the World, as many have done since as early as 1904, or avoid the area at all costs, here’s what to know ahead of the holiday.

When is the Times Square ball drop happening?

The celebration begins around 6 p.m., when the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball is raised to the top of its poll on the roof of One Times Square, at the intersection of West 43rd Street and Broadway, according to the Times Square Alliance.

The ball begins its descent exactly one minute before the stroke of midnight.

The nearly 12,000-pound ball was unveiled last week, covered in more than 2,600 Waterford crystal triangles. This is the last year to see this particular crystal ball, because it’s going to be retired after the New Year’s Eve celebration.

More than 1 ton of confetti is dropped into Times Square to bring in the new year, the alliance says.

Where are the best views?

The ball can be seen along Broadway, from West 43rd to West 50th streets, and along Seventh Avenue, as far north as West 59th Street, according to the alliance.

Viewing areas will have entry points at:

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

No tickets are needed, with access on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.

No portable public restrooms will be available in Times Square during the festivities.

What should I bring?

Remember to dress appropriately for the weather (see our forecast below).

All bags will be searched. Backpacks and large bags are not permitted. Alcohol, large coolers, umbrellas, picnic blankets, lawn chairs and other folding chairs are also banned, the alliance says.

What performances can I expect?

The alliance has a full program of events on its website. Artists including Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers and Mickey Guyton are slated to perform. 

How can I watch remotely?

The celebration will be streamed online, commercial-free, starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

NY1’s own “Countdown to 2025” 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. 

Which streets will be closed?

The following streets will close to all vehicle traffic at the following times on Tuesday, according to the NYPD:

  • 4 a.m. — Seventh Avenue from West 42nd to West 49th streets
  • 4 a.m. — Broadway from West 42nd to West 49th streets
  • 4 a.m. — West 43rd to West 48th streets from Sixth to Eighth avenues
  • 11 a.m. — Southbound Seventh Avenue and Broadway from West 38th to West 57th streets, from Sixth to Eighth avenues
  • West 38th to West 56th streets, from Sixth to Eighth avenues

The following streets will close to commercial vehicles, trucks and other large vehicles starting around 11 a.m., the NYPD says:

  • North on Sixth Avenue from West 34th to West 57th streets
  • North on Eighth Avenue from West 34th to West 57th streets
  • East of Ninth Avenue from West 37th to West 57th streets
  • West of Fifth Avenue from West 35th to West 57th streets

The NYPD will also cordon off the Times Square viewing areas as they fill up.

Will subways and buses be operating normally?

On New Year’s Eve, the subways will operate on a regular weekday schedule, with increased service on the 1/2/3, 4/5/6, 7, C, D, G, L and N/Q/R lines, plus the 42nd Street shuttle, extending past midnight into New Year’s Day, the MTA says.

The A train will run express until 2:45 a.m.

Buses in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, plus some routes in Queens, will operate on a reduced weekday schedule for New Year’s Eve. Other routes in Queens and those on Staten Island will operate on a regular weekday schedule, according to the MTA.

Bus routes in and around Midtown Manhattan will be subject to detours due to road closures.

Subways and buses will operate on a Sunday schedule for the rest of New Year’s Day.

What about the LIRR and Metro-North?

For New Year’s Eve, 11 additional Long Island Rail Road trains on the Babylon, Montauk, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson and Port Washington branches will start running to Penn Station and Grand Central in the early evening to accommodate more riders heading into the city, the MTA says.

Twelve additional trains will also run in the early overnight hours into New Year’s Day to accommodate riders heading back to Long Island.

All LIRR trains will operate on a Sunday schedule for the remainder of New Year’s Day.

The Metro-North Railroad, meanwhile, will run trains on a regular weekday schedule on the three East of Hudson lines on New Year’s Eve. Extra late-evening and post-midnight service will be provided along those lines into New Year’s morning.

Trains along the West of Hudson lines will also operate on a regular weekday schedule on New Year’s Eve, with extra late-evening and post-midnight service. Those lines will operate on a weekend schedule on New Year’s Day, according to the MTA.

There will be hourly Metro-North service on New Year’s Day, with extra New Haven Line trains and regular weekend service on the Wassaic, Danbury and Waterbury lines.

What is the weather forecast?

Showers are currently in the forecast for New Year’s Eve, with waves of rain expected between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

The hours between 11 p.m. and midnight should be more dry than wet, but there could be a few showers or drizzle and mist. The greatest chance for wet weather ends by 11 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 40s.