Times Square will once again become the center of the world on December 31st as New York City hosts its annual New Year’s Eve celebration, an all night event that blends music, tradition and spectacle before welcoming 2026 at midnight. Organizers have now released the full schedule of performances and moments, offering a detailed look at what millions of spectators in the plaza and viewers at home can expect throughout the evening.
The celebration officially begins at 6 p.m. with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. The ceremony, a ritual that dates back more than a century, marks the start of the festivities and signals that the countdown to the new year is underway. Shortly afterward, the national anthem will be performed as part of a patriotic opening that sets the tone for the night.
Live music begins soon after, with rapper B.o.B taking the stage early in the evening, bringing recognizable hits that help energize the crowd as it continues to grow. Throughout the early hours, hosts guide the audience through stories from revelers, interactive moments and the first of several hourly countdowns that keep the focus on the approaching midnight hour.
As the night progresses, the lineup reflects the global nature of Times Square. Pop singer Tones and I appears in the early evening, followed by performances from artists spanning genres and continents. K-pop group LE SSERAFIM brings international flair, while singer Robyn delivers a set that appeals to longtime fans and first time listeners alike. Country music also has a presence, with Little Big Town performing later in the night, underscoring the broad appeal of the event.
By mid evening, the pace quickens. Additional performances fill the schedule, including appearances by artists such as Maren Morris, Xavi and Ana Barbara, ensuring that the energy in the plaza never dips. Between sets, organizers stage confetti moments and audience interactions that give people in the crowd a chance to see their wishes and messages shared on screens above Times Square.
One of the most anticipated performances of the night comes just before midnight. At approximately 11:37 p.m., music legend Diana Ross takes the stage for a special performance that leads directly into the final stretch of the evening. Her appearance, placed strategically near the close of the program, is designed to create a sense of shared anticipation as the new year approaches.
Following her set, Tones and I returns shortly before midnight to perform Imagine, a song long associated with reflection and hope in Times Square celebrations. As the final seconds tick away, the mayor of New York City joins the countdown, and at 11 59 p.m. the famous sixty second descent of the Times Square Ball begins.
At exactly midnight, the ball reaches the bottom of the pole, fireworks and lights erupt, and thousands of pounds of confetti cascade onto the crowd below to mark the start of 2026.
For those unable to attend in person, the entire evening is streamed live and broadcast nationally, allowing audiences around the world to take part in New York City’s celebration.
