The iconic Times Square ball drop will lighten up New York
on the eve of the New Year on December 31. As is the recent trend, the ball
drop will be preceded by live entertainment programmes from the evening.

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The event is one of the oldest and the most iconic new year
celebrations in the US. It was first organised in 1904 but was held for the
first time in Times Square in 1907 to welcome the upcoming year (08) by New
York Times’ then owner, Adolph Ochs.

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The programme that consists of a five feet
ball that is illuminated by 100 incandescent bulbs, has been observed every year
since then, with the exception of war-ridden years, 1942 and 43. This year’s
celebration will mark the 118th year of the celebrations with the fifth ball in place since the beginning of the festivities.

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When and where to watch?

The event organised by Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment will officially begin at 6 pm ET with lighting and
raising of the eve ball and will extend upto 12.15 am. The 6 hour 15 minute
programme will be broadcast ive online, where the public across the globe can
access it.

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The live broadcast will be available on websites such as TimesSquareNYC.org,
LiveStream.com/2023 and TimesSquareBall.net.

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The spot light of the event is expected to be on the
25-year-old singer Chelsea Cutler. She will sing the long-time traditional and
iconic ‘Imagine’ of John Lennon. The
evening will also include performances by Jacob Lawson alias JVKE, Jax and New
Year’s eve live performance by Ava Max.