An estimated 1 million people packed Times Square to watch the New Year's Eve 2025 ball drop Tuesday night. A Times Square Alliance live feed went live at 6 p.m. from the Crossroads of the World, and it will stay up as the clock strikes midnight.

Time balls date back to the early 19th century, when they signaled the time to passing sailors. Now they’re part of the pomp and circumstance of the new year

NEW YORK (AP) — The crystal-covered ball that descends down a pole in Times Square to ring in the new year was taken for a test run Monday, as New York City officials laid out their plans for the iconic New Year’s Eve event.