On the eve of the most iconic New Year’s celebration in the world, the “Times Square Alliance” conducted a confetti test event on Monday, December 29th, to make final preparations for the upcoming New Year’s Eve celebration. Known as the “Crossroads of the World,” Times Square is expected to attract millions of people on New Year’s Eve, gathering to witness the historic moment when the crystal ball drops atop One Times Square, welcoming the arrival of 2026.
The test event took place in the stage area between West 45th and 46th Streets, organized by the “Times Square Alliance,” “One Times Square, and the Countdown Entertainment Company.” Colorful confetti slowly floated down from the high stage, rehearsing the scene for the upcoming midnight New Year’s celebration and allowing international tourists and locals to experience the festive atmosphere in advance.
Organizers pointed out that on New Year’s Eve at midnight, approximately 3,000 pounds (about 1.5 tons) of biodegradable confetti will be sprinkled from above, creating the iconic “confetti rain” of Times Square. Among them are thousands of New Year’s wishes from around the world, written by attendees on-site at the “New Year’s Wish Wall” or submitted through an online platform.
With the confetti test successfully completed, the New Year’s Eve event at Times Square has entered its final preparation stage. Organizers stated that the celebration on December 31st is expected to begin around 6 p.m., featuring live performances and a countdown event, culminating at midnight with the dropping of the crystal ball and the confetti showers, marking the beginning of a new year.