Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Times Square unveils largest-ever New Year’s Eve Ball with circular crystals
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Nov 25, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo courtesy of Jamestown/One Times Square
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Nov 25, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The annual countdown to the new year will include a new, much larger ball to drop in Times Square.
Weighing 12,350 pounds and measuring 12.5 feet in diameter, the ninth iteration of the New Year’s Eve Ball is the largest yet. It also features 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED pucks — nearly twice as many as the previous ball.
The Constellation Ball, which sits atop One Times Square before the countdown begins on Dec. 31, is the first to feature circular crystals. That marks a departure from the triangular-shaped design introduced in 1999.
For the first time ever, the revamped centerpiece will also be open for public viewing. New Yorkers will soon be able to purchase tickets to a wraparound viewing deck and even submit personal messages that will be translated into Morse code and displayed in lights on the ball during the celebration.
Tagged
manhattan
new york city
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .