The
Times Square Ball is a
time ball located in
New York City's
Times Square. Located on the roof of
One Times Square, the ball is a prominent part of a
New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square colloquially known as the
ball drop, where the ball descends in 60 seconds down a specially designed
flagpole, beginning at 11:59:00 p.m.
ET, and resting at
midnight to signal the start of the new year. In recent years, the festivities have been preceded by live entertainment, including performances by musicians.