NYC & COMPANY INVITES VISITORS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN TIMES SQUARE AND BEYOND

—Approximately One Million Expected to Gather in Times Square for Iconic Ball Drop with Additional Celebrations Taking Place Across All Five Boroughs Plus Activities for New Year’s Day 2018—

NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization for New York City, toasts all visitors who intend to gather in Times Square for its iconic ball drop and highlights celebrations of interest across the boroughs for New Year’s Eve. Upon the joyous occasion of the holidays, the City’s celebrations remain timeless.

“Every New Year’s Eve, millions of visitors come to New York City to experience the unique vibrancy and excitement of our five-borough destination,” said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company’s president and CEO.“We invite travelers to explore Times Square during its biggest spotlight moment and to take advantage of the many other events happening throughout the City’s neighborhoods.”

Highlighted below are highly anticipated celebrations in Times Square and beyond where locals and travelers will raise glasses, toast the past and usher in the new year from borough to shining borough.

Times Square:

Seven-foot-tall numbers “1” and “8” in 2-0-1-8 are now in Times Square for public photo opportunities through this Friday, December 22. Information available here.

On December 28 from noon to 1pm, locals and visitors will gather in the Broadway Plaza on Times Square for Good Riddance Day, as bad memories from 2017 are torn apart to make room for the new year, with help from Shred-It.

In the lead up to the big night, through December 29, visitors can visit the Wishing Wall to note their hopes, dreams and goals for 2018 on the confetti that will be released at midnight to float over Midtown and the approximately one million visitors who congregate in Times Square for the ball drop.

The11,875-pound ball, covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles, is capable of a palette of more than 16 million kaleidoscopic colors and is mounted atop One Times Square. As it descends at the countdown, a host of nearby venues will serve up new years’ cheer with a view, available here.

Worldwide viewers (estimated at over one billion) will join the revelry by tuning into Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest in Times Square, which will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy with performances by Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland planned.

The Times Square New Year’s Eve Live celebration will formally open with a performance by the Tongliang Athletics Dragon Dance thanks to a partnership with Chongqing, China. Multi-Platinum Pop Singer and Songwriter Andy Grammer will headline the musical lineup. Country music singer-songwriter Lauren Alaina will perform a selection of her number one hits and dance crew Kinjaz will also present numbers.

Viewers around the world can also visit TimesSquareNYC.org,
NewYearsEve.nyc and TimesSquareBall.net to watch the annual event.

From east to west, Midtown hotels will ring in 2018 with grand revelry and guests in lavish attire. High above the lights of Fifth Avenue, The Peninsula New York’s Salon de Ning will be transformed into a chic sky-lit penthouse with the East Terrace enclosed and heated, a performance by UK rock and pop cover band The Chip Shop Boys plus ball drop projection at midnight.

Right in the heart of Times Square, the New York Marriott Marquis will host a five-course dinner, unlimited premium open bar and entertainment at
The View Restaurant & Lounge, with 360-degree views revolving completely every hour overlooking Times Square.

One block to the west, The Sanctuary Hotel New York’s Haven Rooftop will offer group packages for its heated and tented New Year’s Eve party. Guests will enjoy a DJ from 8pm to 2am, a prix-fixe dinner and top shelf open bar.

An NYC & Company guide to New Year’s Eve in Times Square is here.