Missed the 2025 Times Square ball drop and New Year's Eve celebration? Watch the highlights here
NEW YORK -- An estimated 1 million people packed Times Square to watch the New Year's Eve 2025 ball drop Tuesday night.
New Year's Eve ball drop live stream
A Times Square Alliance live feed kicked off the coverage from the Crossroads of the World at 6 p.m. and stayed up as the clock struck midnight. CBS News New York also had live shots from the ball drop countdown starting at 10:30 p.m., and our Lonnie Quinn was in Times Square as part of "Nashville's Big Bash" on CBS.
If you missed the celebration, you can watch a replay of the live stream in the video player below.
When and where to watch the ball drop in Times Square
Viewing areas opened at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Entry was first-come, first-served at checkpoints located at 49th, 52nd and 56th streets on Sixth and Eighth avenues.
Organizers said the best views would be along Broadway from 43rd to 50th streets, and Seventh Avenue as far north as 59th Street.
The show officially started at 6 p.m. when the iconic ball was hoisted into place atop One Times Square. The evening featured live performances from Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, Mark Ambor, Mickey Guyton, Rita Ora, TLC and more.
At 11:59 p.m., the 60-second countdown began and the confetti started to fly. At the stroke of midnight, the lights on the ball were flipped off, and the "2025" numerals came to life.
The show wrapped up at 12:15 a.m., when the cleanup effort began. The Sanitation Department said 300 employees used brooms, backpack blowers and collection trucks to remove more than 50 tons of trash, sweeping up piles of soggy confetti, party favors and other debris.
Here's our full guide for what to know about getting around the city.
Pouring rain doesn't keep spectators from Times Square on New Year's Eve
Spectators began lining up before dawn, including one group of friends who flew in from Tokyo. Some packed blankets, ponchos and handwarmers, while others had snacks -- even a rotisserie chicken.
"I'm geeked out about it. I'm really excited to be here. I've never done it. I've always wanted to do it since I was a kid, so here I am," Los Angeles resident Shauntay Sheppard said.
"We're really excited. We waited for this trip for months because we really want to see what people talk about when you tell about, you know, New Year's Eve in New York," said Elisa Corliano, an Italian tourist.
"I come for the first time here to see. That it was my dream for one year, I just planned to come. I didn't expected to be so organized, and I am happy for that ... [I'm feeling] very safe. I want to dance tonight," said Carmen Hutuleac, a Romanian tourist.
Even the pouring rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the crowd.
"It was one of those things that we decided it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Florida resident Rita Civil said.
"Lifetime experience. Never again. But I'm glad I did it so I can be proud to see how crazy I am with my friend and my family," Upper West Side resident Samuel Do said.
Security for New Year's Eve in NYC
The New York City Police Department said it had a "tremendous" amount of police resources around Times Square and beyond, as the city prepared for the world famous New Year's Eve ball drop.
The department said while there was no credible threat, it was operating in what it called a "heightened threat environment" to ensure the night goes off without a hitch.
"We're going to have plain clothes officers, as well as uniformed officers who are going to be doing persistent sweeps. We have our drones helping out with the aerial perspective and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear detection and mitigation capabilities. Counter drones, heavy weapons teams, K-9s, you name it," NYPD Deputy Commissioner Rebecca Weiner said.
Meanwhile, despite the rain in the forecast, those heading to Times Square were not allowed to bring umbrellas, backpacks or large bags past security checkpoints.
