3…2…1…Happy New Year!

Before you know it, holiday cards will be out, presents will be unwrapped and New Year’s Eve will be here.  If one of your resolutions is to get away or have more fun, start planning your celebration now.  New York City is clearly the place to be – as thousands head to Times Square to watch the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball descend from the flagpole atop One Times Square at midnight.

While more than 100 million television viewers in the United States will watch the ball drop, the revelers who watch it LIVE will have a real story to tell.  Grab a flight now – while airfare is affordable and hotel rooms aren’t sold out.  One of my favorite Times Square hotels is the Westin, Times Square.  No matter how loud and crazy the streets are below, the hotel is a calm retreat.

The 11, 875-pound ball, covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals, has been on display since Jan. 1, 2009, and is a year-round attraction for visitors from around the world.

The schedule for the New Year’s Eve festivities is as follows:

4pm

The Revelers

Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year’s Eve. By approximately 4pm, the “bow tie” of Times Square (42nd–47th Streets, between Broadway and Seventh Avenue) becomes a focal point for the festivities. The NYPD will direct revelers to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, police will direct new arrivals to the next section.

6–6:03 pm

Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball

The celebration begins with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square.

11:59pm

The 60-Second Countdown

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the Times Square 2010 special guest (to be announced) will push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball.

Midnight

2010 Sign

At the stroke of midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals “2010” are illuminated high above Times Square.
The “Confetti Wishing Wall” wish papers become part of the confetti that rains down on the city.  This is a great way to involve kids in the celebration – whether you get to visit or not. (Note: specific dates of Confetti Wishing Wall to be posted at timessquarenyc.org)

For more information about visiting New York City, check out the City’s official tourism website at nycgo.com.

Picture courtesy of Countdown Entertainmnet