Entertainment · In 59 days
What Time Is the Ball Drop 2026?
Times Square Ball DropTimes Square, New York, NY
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By WTIT Time Desk·Updated
The Times Square ball drops at 11:59 PM ET on Thursday, December 31, 2026, and reaches the bottom at midnight ET to welcome 2027. The celebration starts at 6:00 PM ET when the ball is lit and raised above One Times Square.
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Watching from another time zone? The table below shows what time the ball drops where you are.
What Time Does the Ball Drop in My Time Zone?
| Location | Ball reaches the bottom | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 12:00 AM (midnight) | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Central (CT) | 11:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Mountain (MT) | 10:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Pacific (PT) | 9:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Alaska (AKST) | 8:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Hawaii (HST) | 7:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Mexico City (CST) | 11:00 PM | Thu, Dec 31 |
| Sao Paulo (BRT) | 2:00 AM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| United Kingdom (GMT) | 5:00 AM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Germany, France (CET) | 6:00 AM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Nigeria (WAT) | 6:00 AM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| India (IST) | 10:30 AM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Philippines (PHT) | 1:00 PM | Fri, Jan 1 |
| Australia, Sydney (AEDT) | 4:00 PM | Fri, Jan 1 |
The drop itself takes 60 seconds, so it starts one minute before each time above.
Times Square New Year’s Eve Schedule
| Time (ET) | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Ball is lit and raised to the top of One Times Square; official webcast starts |
| Every hour | Hourly countdowns with confetti and pyrotechnics |
| 8:00 PM | Network New Year’s Eve TV specials usually begin |
| 11:59 PM | Ball begins its 60-second descent |
| 12:00 AM | Ball reaches the bottom; 2027 begins with confetti and fireworks |
Performers and the hour-by-hour program for 2026 to 2027 are usually announced in December. This page will add them as soon as they are confirmed.
How Long Is the Ball Drop?
The ball takes 60 seconds to descend the flagpole, from 11:59 PM to midnight ET. The full Times Square celebration runs about six hours, from 6:00 PM to just after midnight.
What Channel Is the Ball Drop On?
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live both carry the drop. The Times Square Alliance also streams a free, commercial-free webcast at TimesSquareNYC.org from 6:00 PM ET.
Ball Drop FAQ
What time does the ball drop start?
The ball starts dropping at 11:59 PM ET on December 31 and reaches the bottom at exactly midnight ET.
What time is the ball drop in California?
In Pacific Time the ball reaches the bottom at 9:00 PM PT on December 31, three hours before local midnight.
What time is the ball drop in Chicago?
In Central Time the ball reaches the bottom at 11:00 PM CT on December 31.
What time do they raise the ball in Times Square?
The ball is lit and raised at 6:00 PM ET, which marks the start of the Times Square celebration.
Can I watch the ball drop for free online?
Yes. The Times Square Alliance streams a free, commercial-free webcast at TimesSquareNYC.org starting at 6:00 PM ET.
What time is the ball drop in the UK?
In the UK the ball reaches the bottom at 5:00 AM GMT on Friday, January 1, 2027.
So, what time is the ball drop? It begins at 11:59 PM ET on December 31, 2026, and lands at midnight. The next morning, check the Rose Parade start time.
Last updated November 2, 2026, by WTIT Time Desk. Times checked against the Times Square Alliance schedule.