The NYPD is describing this year’s annual celebrations at Times Square as the biggest and safest New Year’s Eve party on the planet.

“New Year’s Eve in Times Square is one of the largest and the most complex public safety operations anywhere in the world, and one the NYPD has secured successfully for decades,” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

What You Need To Know

The NYPD says there are no credible or specific threats to this year’s Times Square celebrations

There will be a larger police presence in and around Times Square than last year

New this year, officers will patrol the pens where revelers gather to view the ball drop to do secondary screenings

Designated viewing areas will only be accessible via Sixth and Eighth avenues at four cross streets: 45th, 49th, 52nd and 56th

Police executives say there are no credible or specific threats to this year’s event, but the NYPD will have a larger presence in and around Times Square than they did last year.

There will be more cops positioned at the limited entry points to help facilitate smoother and quicker screenings.

New this year, officers will patrol the pens where revelers gather to view the ball drop to do secondary screenings.

“We will have mobile screening teams walking around the pens, and if we see anything suspicious, we will have teams in place to do appropriate screening,” Tisch said. “It is based on what we’ve learned and what we’ve seen around the world in the terrorism space.”

Designated viewing areas will only be accessible via Sixth and Eighth avenues at four cross streets: 45th, 49th, 52nd and 56th.

There are going to be extended street closures in the area starting early in the morning on Dec. 31.

Certain items, including backpacks, umbrellas and folding chairs, are prohibited in the viewing areas.

The NYPD says security monitoring will continue throughout the day and well after the ball drops at midnight.

“The Joint Operations Center will be fully activated with all of our city, state and federal partners and personnel there. We’ll be actively monitoring fixed and mobile cameras. Intelligence teams will also be monitoring social media for potential threats, and response units will be deployed citywide to investigate any reports in real time,” Tisch said.

Four years ago, Mayor Eric Adams was sworn in to lead the city at midnight in Times Square.

After discussing security protocols, he had some farewell remarks to New Yorkers during one of his final public appearances as mayor.

“It has been an honor to serve and a great responsibility to look after the safety and well-being of so many New Yorkers and businesses. Thank you for this incredible honor. From patrolman to mayor, I am humbled to have served this city, and I wish everyone a healthy 2026.”

Viewing areas open to the public at 3 p.m., and at approximately 6 p.m. the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball will be raised to the top of the pole at One Times Square to be in position for its descent at midnight.