TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) — Times Square is preparing for one of the biggest New Year’s celebrations yet.<\/p>\n
The Crossroad of the World is set to welcome millions of people as they gather to ring in 2026 when the ball drops from the top of the One Times Square tower.<\/p>\n
Before the big night begins, organizers prepared by conducting a confetti test to ensure the frills go off without a hitch.<\/p>\n
The confetti test happened Monday morning at Planet Fitness Center Stage between West 45th Street and 46th Street.<\/p>\n
“We do it from five different buildings’ rooftops here in Times Square, both the east and west side and uptown, so we create a blizzard of confetti,” said Jeffrey Straus, executive producer of Times Square New Year’s Eve. “It’s become a signature part of our event.”<\/p>\n
More than 3,000 pounds of biodegradable confetti will rain down at midnight on New Year’s, including 180,000 personal wishes submitted by people around the world.<\/p>\n
The celebration will feature three confetti releases: one at 10:00 p.m. to mark Planet Fitness’s sponsorship of the event, a traditional multicolored release at midnight, and a final drop of 2,000 pounds at 12:04 a.m. honoring America’s 250th birthday.<\/p>\n
Visitors are also invited to partake in writing down their personal goals or dreams for the New Year at the Wishing Wall in Times Square Plaza.<\/a><\/p>\n Wishes can be submitted in person by Dec. 29. Digital submissions received after Dec. 26 will be printed for the New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31st of next year.<\/p>\n For those making their way to Times Square for the festivities, the celebration starts around 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. ———-<\/p>\n * Get Eyewitness News Delivered<\/a> <\/p>\n * More Manhattan news<\/a><\/p>\n * Send us a news tip<\/a><\/p>\n * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts<\/a> <\/p>\n * Follow us on YouTube<\/a> <\/p>\n
ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026” will go live on Wednesday, Dec. 31, beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST on Channel 7 and stream the next day on Hulu.<\/p>\n
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