What To Expect in Times Square NYE 2015
Filed under: Birthdays and Special Events, New Years Eve
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3…2…1…Happy New Year! As you look around you see couples kissing, people toasting, and others are even still watching in amazement…almost like they’re reflecting on the previous year or pondering on what’s to come.
New York City is one of the most spectacular places to be during the holidays, with all the decorations and holiday cheer, it is sure to light up your spirit! One of the most popular events that New York City hosts, is the dropping of the ball on New Year’s Eve. The ball dropping has been a significant piece of New York City’s history since 1907 bringing at least 1 million people to Times Square yearly.With the significant amount of people some might question if this event is even worth trying to go to. What can you expect from traffic? What time should you arrive to see the ball drop? What about the transportation? These are the most commonly asked questions when deciding to travel to Times Square for New Year’s Eve.
Getting There
If you are planning to traveling to New York on New Year’s Eve you better know your way around the subway station, because that is about as good as you will get when it comes to transportation during this day. Due to road blocking for festivity set up, it is nearly impossible to even take a taxi around the
city, let alone driving your own vehicle. Also, be warned that you will get very comfortable with the strangers on the subway, because it becomes VERY crowded. With the massive amounts of people you will need to plan for adequate travel time. Depending on how close you would like to be to the dropping of the ball and the live performances, you may have to arrive as early as 6 a.m. A friend of mine recently decided she didn’t want to fight the crowds or stand in the cold for too long, so her and her husband didn’t get down to Times Square until around 6 that evening on New Year’s Eve, and let’s just say she regretted that decision. They were barely able to see anything because of how far back they ended up.
Best time to arrive
You may be thinking why would people start lining up so early if the ball doesn’t even start dropping until 11:59 p.m.? The reason would be because of all the performances that happen in preparation of the ball dropping. Each year New York City brings the best of the best performers to bring the most outstanding entertainment. This year’s performers will range from Rodney Atkins to Macklemore, along with many others. You might also find a large majority of people stopping through the visitor’s center so they can write a little something on a small piece of confetti that comes down onto the streets on New York City during the dropping of the ball. People write anything from wishes of the new year to the New Year’s resolutions.
New York City is one of the best places to be anytime of the year, especially during the holiday season. The city that never sleeps always offers an array of things that anyone can enjoy! So if you are debating on whether or not you should come into the city for New Year’s Eve, I would say definitely. Every year is different from the last, you will see different couples kissing and different people watching in amazement. New Year’s Eve is Times Square is the new start to something great.
New Year’s Eve LIVE Schedule
For 110 years, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year’s Eve, ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year. The first Ball Lowering celebration occurred in 1907, and this tradition is now a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.
EVENT SCHEDULE
3:00 p.m.
The Revelers
Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve. By approximately 3:00 p.m., the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway & 7th Ave.) is fully closed to traffic. Revelers are directed by the NYPD to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, the revelers are directed by police to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to as far as Central Park.
6:00 p.m. to 6:03 p.m.
Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. The Event Organizers will be joined by representatives of the Philips Lighting Company to flip the giant switch which lights the New Year’s Eve Ball and begins its ascent accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:04 p.m. to 6:18 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies – Chinese Cultural Performance
The Sino-American Friendship Association (“SAFA”) presents a spectacular Chinese cultural performance from YunNan featuring the traditional performance of The Peacock’s Blessing and The Little Running River to begin the Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration. The performance is on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage at Duffy Island between 46th and 47th Streets. The Chinese cultural performance will conclude with red and gold pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:20 p.m.
Times Square 2013 Hats, Balloons, Mittens, Scarves and Colorlicious lipstick
The Times Square Alliance sanitation crew clad in bright red uniforms begins to distribute tens of thousands of fun handouts to the Times Square revelers for cheering in the New Year. Cosmo/Covergirl is providing festive pink New Year’s Eve hats and pink, red and rose balloons tied with silver mylar ribbons along with colorlicious lipstick for that magical kiss at midnight. The Sino-American Friendship Association is providing beautiful red scarves and Planet Fitness is providing mittens to keep us warm through the night.
6:58 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with FNC’s “All-American New Year”
As we approach the New Year, FNC hosts Bob Beckel, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lisa “Kennedy” Montgomery, Anna Kooiman, and Jesse Watters will appear at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 7 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. They will also read some of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share their wishes for the New Year.
7:06 p.m. to 7:11 p.m.
Planet Fitness “Judgement Free”Cheer
Jenny McCarthy will lead the revelers in a fun cheer of “Judgement Free” in 2015.
7:41 p.m. to 7:44 p.m.
Good Riddance Day Highlights
Allison Hagendorf will share highlights from Good Riddance Day with the Times Square revelers from the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
7:45 p.m. to 7:48 p.m.
Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #1
Kat Graham introduces Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #1 on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
7:48 p.m. to 7:51 p.m.
International Rescue Committee
Representatives of the International Rescue Committee at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage describe their work in 40 countries around the world offering help and hope to refugees and others impacted by violent conflict and disaster. During crises, IRC teams provide health care, shelter, clean water, sanitation, learning programs for children and special aid for women. As emergencies subside, the IRC stays to revive livelihoods and help shattered communities recover and rebuild. Every year, the IRC also helps resettle thousands of refugees admitted into the United States, in 22 cities across the country. A tireless advocate for the most vulnerable, the IRC is committed to restoring hope, dignity and opportunity.
7:58 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Anderson Cooper
As we approach the New Year, Anderson Cooper will appear at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 8 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. Anderson will also read some of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
8:01 p.m. to 8:16 p.m.
Musical Performance by O.A.R.
O.A.R. performs two of their hit songs on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
8:16 p.m. to 8:19 p.m.
Toshiba and NASA Happy New Year Message
8:26 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Musical Performance by Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel performs Let It Go on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
8:34 p.m. to 8:37 p.m.
Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #2
Kat Graham introduces Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #2 on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
8:46 p.m. to 8:51 p.m.
The USO Show Troupe Performance
The USO Show Troupe perform a Military Salute to honor our Armed Forces on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
8:58 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Kat Graham
As we approach the New Year, Kat Graham will appear at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 9 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. Kat will also read some of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share her wish for the New Year.
9:01 p.m. to 9:04 p.m.
Planet Fitness Waves Goodbye to 2014
Allison Hagendorf leads the Times Square revelers in waving good bye to 2014 from the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage accompanied by purple and yellow streamers.
9:10 p.m. to 9:13 p.m.
Waterford Crystal Toast
9:14 p.m. to 9:25 p.m.
Musical Performance by American Authors
American Authors performs their hit songs Believer and Best Day of My Life on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
9:32 p.m. to 9:39 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Musical Performance by Magic!
Magic! performs their hit songs Rude and Let Your Hair Down on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
9:50 p.m. to 9:53 p.m.
Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #3
Kat Graham introduces Cosmo/Covergirl Vignette #3 on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
9:57 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with ALADDIN
As we approach the New Year, the stars from Broadway’s hit show ALADDIN will appear at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 10 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. They will also read some of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share their wishes for the New Year.
10:01 p.m. to 10:07 p.m.
Univision’s “¡Feliz 2015!: Musical Performance by Jencarlos Canela
Jencarlos Canela performs his special version of New York, New York on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
10:07 p.m. to 10:10 p.m.
Moet & Chandon Toast
10:28 p.m. to 10:31 p.m.
MasterCard Priceless Surprise
10:37 p.m. to 10:44 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Musical Performance by Florida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line performs a medley of their hit songs Cruise and Sun Daze on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
10:50 p.m. to 10:53 p.m.
Univision’s “¡Feliz 2014!: Musical Performance by Va Por ti
Va Por Ti performs Regálame tu Amor on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
10:57 p.m. to 11:01 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Raúl de Molina
As we approach the New Year, Raul de Molina will appear at the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”; and lead the ten second countdown to the 11 o’clock hour accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square. Raul will also read some of the Confetti Wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight and share his wish for the New Year.
11:02 p.m. to 11:11 p.m.
Univision’s ¡Feliz 2015!: Musical Performance by Alejandra Guzmán
Alejandra Guzmán performs a medley of her hit songs Mi Peor Error; Mírala, Míralo; Eternamente Bella; and La Plaga on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
11:15 p.m. to 11:18 p.m.
The Associated Press Presents 2014 Year-End News Highlights
The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news gathering organization, presents a news reel highlighting some of the most memorable events of 2014.
11:39 p.m. to 11:46 p.m.
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”: Musical Performance by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift performs Welcome to New York and Shake It Off on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
11:51 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Special Musical Performance by O.A.R.
O.A.R. performs their new hit song Peace and John Lennon’s Imagine on the Cosmo/Covergirl Kiss Stage.
11:59 p.m.
The Sixty-Second Countdown
The Mayor of New York City joined by Times Square 2015 Special Guest the International Rescue Committee representatives David Miliband, Jencarlos Canela, Nykhor Paul, Alek Wek, and Sonam Lama push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year on the Cosmo/Covergirl Countdown Stage.
The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The lighted Ball descends 70 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs.
12:00 a.m. — New Year’s Day
2015 Sign
At the stroke of Midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals of the New Year “2015” burst to life shining high above Times Square.
Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects
The world-famous New Year’s Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects.
12:15 a.m. – End of Show