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New Year's Eve in New York 2026: the ball drop and where to stay

The ball drops in Times Square at midnight on Thursday 31 December 2026. Watching from the street is free and there are no tickets: anyone selling 'street tickets' is a scam.

The viewing pens open in the afternoon and fill fast, and once you're in there are no toilets for hours. A hotel within walking distance makes the night much easier.

Where to watch

  1. Times Square ball dropFree

    Enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue; pens fill from mid-afternoon. The best views are on Broadway between 43rd and 50th Streets and up Seventh Avenue.

    Tip: Large bags and alcohol aren't allowed, and if you leave a pen you lose your place.

    Stay nearby: Midtown · ~$280/night

  2. Central Park midnight fireworksFree

    Fireworks over the park at midnight, usually with the Midnight Run.

    Stay nearby: Upper West Side · ~$270/night

  3. Prospect Park fireworksFree

    Brooklyn's display at Grand Army Plaza, much less crowded than Times Square.

The walk back from each area

Minutes on foot from each area to the viewing spots. After midnight the subway near Times Square is packed, so walking distance matters.

  • New Year's Eve from Midtown

    ~$280/night

    On foot: Times Square 5 min · Central Park 35 min.

    After midnight: 5 minutes' walk back from Times Square.

    Hotels in Midtown →

  • New Year's Eve from Upper West Side

    ~$270/night

    On foot: Central Park 25 min · Times Square 55 min.

    After midnight: 25 minutes' walk back from Central Park.

    Hotels in Upper West Side →

  • New Year's Eve from Chelsea

    ~$350/night

    On foot: Times Square 25 min · Central Park 60 min.

    After midnight: 25 minutes' walk back from Times Square.

    Hotels in Chelsea →

  • New Year's Eve from Long Island City

    ~$210/night

    On foot: Times Square 60 min · Central Park 60 min.

    After midnight: 60 minutes' walk back from Times Square.

    Hotels in Long Island City →

  • New Year's Eve from Greenwich Village

    ~$330/night

    On foot: Times Square 45 min.

    After midnight: about 45 minutes' walk back from Times Square, or take the subway once the crowds thin.

    Hotels in Greenwich Village →

  • New Year's Eve from SoHo

    ~$380/night

    The nearest is Times Square, about 4 km away: a long subway ride.

    After midnight: too far to walk, so plan on a crowded subway ride back.

    Hotels in SoHo →

  • New Year's Eve from Williamsburg

    ~$250/night

    The nearest is Prospect Park, about 5 km away: a long subway ride.

    After midnight: too far to walk, so plan on a crowded subway ride back.

    Hotels in Williamsburg →

  • New Year's Eve from Lower East Side

    ~$260/night

    The nearest is Times Square, about 5 km away: a long subway ride.

    After midnight: too far to walk, so plan on a crowded subway ride back.

    Hotels in Lower East Side →

Written by the StayAreas editorial team · Updated Nov 2026 · How we research our guides

Hotels in Midtown

Our top area for this guide. Mid-range doubles cost about $280 a night.

Midtown guide
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FAQs

Do you need tickets for the Times Square ball drop?

No. Watching from the street is free and first come, first served. Anyone selling street tickets is running a scam.

What time should you get to Times Square on New Year's Eve?

The viewing areas open in the afternoon and the best pens fill by mid-afternoon. Once you're in, there are no toilets until after midnight.

Where should I stay for New Year's Eve in New York?

Midtown, within walking distance of Times Square, so you don't need the packed subway after midnight.

More New York guides

Where to stay in New York