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Photos: Huge Crowds In Times Square Welcome 2020

By

Jen Chung

Published Jan 1, 2020

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Fireworks and shredded paper during New Year celebrations at Times Square

 

William Volcov/Shutterstock

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By

Jen Chung

Published Jan 1, 2020

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After hours (many hours!) of waiting in the "center of the universe," an estimated million-plus revelers packed Times Square to usher in a new decade.

The glittering, Waterford Crystal-bedecked New Year's Eve Ball successfully made its descent atop One Times Square to kick off the fireworks:

Confetti drifted through the air—3,000 pounds of confetti—as people waved balloons, kissed each other, and appreciated the fortitude it required to stay in a viewing pen to experience a Times Square New Year's Eve.

Many who made the decision to camp out in Times Square were there to see Korean pop phenomenon BTS. The boy band performed "Make It Right" on the red steps in Father Duffy Square, on the street level near the crowds, and their crossover hit "Boy With Luv," which they sang on another stage. (Dick Clark Productions is working very hard to take down videos of the performance, but you can stream it on ABC.com, around the 27:30 mark.) Still, the BTS Army has things basically covered:

In fact, one could say that the BTS Army owned Times Square:

Other performers included Alanis Morissette alongside the cast of Jagged Little Pill, the Broadway musical using songs from her album, and Post Malone, who apparently fell, possibly while shaking fans' hands (Malone was okay however).

Anyway, let's just relive those first sweet moments of 2020 again:

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Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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