NYC New Year's Eve Guide 2022: Times Square Ball Drop

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — As the world gets ready to celebrate the coming of a new year, New York City officials expect thousands of people to flock to Times Square to ring in 2022 — though the festivities may be muted a bit by the omicron variant.

The annual Times Square ball drop is one of the world's largest and most historic New Year's celebrations. In past years, up to 100,000 people typically spent their New Year's Eve in the Times Square area, with millions more watching at home on TV.

This year will be different: only 15,000 (vaccinated) people will be allowed into the viewing areas on Dec. 31 as a virus-preventing precaution, city leaders said last week.

No matter where you'll be, Patch has you covered.

How to watch the ball drop live

The ball-drop will be streamed live and commercial-free on multiple websites, including TimesSquareNYC.org, NewYearsEve.nyc, LiveStream.com/2022and TimesSquareBall.net.

Of course, the event is typically carried on virtually all cable TV networks: ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" will air starting 8 p.m. Eastern on Friday, and CNN's New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will start at the same time.

Meanwhile, the real estate firm Jamestown, which owns the building where the ball drops, has developed a virtual New Year's Eve app allowing users to "explore the virtual world of Times Square, play games" and livestream the event, according to organizers.

Getting to Times Square

If you're determined to be there in person, beware: in addition to the reduced capacity, visitors will not be allowed into Times Square's viewing areas until 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve — much later than in past years.

And don't even think about driving to Times Square. With road closures, a major security presence and nowhere to park, the best way to get to Times Square will be by public transportation — specifically, the subway.

Because Times Square is such a popular destination, it's very easy to get to no matter where you're coming from. The A, C, E, N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7 and 42nd Street Shuttle lines all stop in Times Square. A newly opened tunnel connects Times Square to the 42nd Street-Bryant Park B-D-F-M station, or one could also take the 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central and transfer to the 42nd Street Shuttle.

How to get to Times Square from New Jersey:

• If you're taking New Jersey Transit to Penn Station, catch the 2 or 3 train to Times Square 42nd Street.
• If you're taking New Jersey Transit t0 the Port Authority Bus Terminal, you can walk from the bus station to Times Square.
• If you're taking the PATH to World Trade Center, transfer to the A, C, E, 2 or 3 lines on the subway.
• If you're taking the PATH to 33rd Street, transfer to the N, Q, R or W lines on the subway.

How to get to Times Square from Long Island:

• If you're taking the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station, transfer to the A, C, E, 1, 2 or 3 lines on the subway.

Street closures

The NYPD hasn't yet announced street closures for Dec. 31, but in past years, all crosstown traffic has been closed between Sixth to Eighth avenues, and the zone between 42nd and 49th streets is also closed starting at 3 p.m. that day.

Most of the streets that make up the celebration area began closing at 11 a.m., and depending on how large of a crowd fills into Times Square, the closures could extend from 34th to 59th streets.

Entry points for the viewing area include the following: 38th Street & 8th Avenue; 38th Street & 6th Avenue; 46th Street from 8th to 6th Avenue; 49th from 8th to 6th Avenue; 52nd Street from 8th to 6th Avenue; 56th Street from 8th to 6th Avenue.

What to bring with you — and what not to bring

If you're going to get to Times Square early, you will be on your feet outside for a long time. In that case you should be wearing comfortable footwear and should bring warm clothing if it gets cold.

These items are not allowed inside Times Square on New Year's Eve:

• Umbrellas
• Backpacks and large bags
• Alcoholic beverages
• Lawn chairs or other folding chairs
• Picnic blankets
• Large coolers

If you bring anything that's not allowed, police will not let you leave it for safekeeping at a security checkpoint.

Brendan Krisel contributed to this report.