What time does the ball drop on New Year's every year? Time zones, traditions, and more explained

Since the first-ever ball dropped in New York City in 1907, it has become an annual tradition on New Year’s Eve. For centuries, it has been a ritual among the citizens to assemble in Times Square and watch the gigantic ball (11,875 pounds), illuminated by 32,256 LEDs and covered with 2,688 crystal triangles, lowered from the flagpole situated on the top of One Times Square at the stroke of midnight.

The story of the giant ball drop originated decades ago. In 1907, to welcome the new year, Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times, organized a grand celebration on New Year's Eve at One Times Square—the headquarters of the newspaper. A giant ball covered with 100 light bulbs, weighing 700 pounds, was lowered for the first time, which indicated the arrival of 1908. This tradition has evolved over the years, drawing thousands of people to Times Square to embrace the iconic moment.

Once again millions of people witnessed the ball drop on December 31, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST to celebrate the spirit of a new year. The event was also aired on streaming platforms like FuboTV and Peacock, as per a report.

However, the timings will differ slightly if you are in a different time zone. Let us understand it better.

Timings of Times Square ball drop according to different time zones

The original ball drop in Times Square occurs at midnight according to the Eastern Time (ET) Zone, but it varies across different time zones in the US.

Reportedly, if you are on the West Coast, then according to your time zone—Pacific Time (PT)—the ball will drop at 8:59 pm. For Central America, the time will be 10:59 pm, as it follows Central Time (CT), while for the people on the western coast, the timing will be 9:59 pm, as they follow Mountain Time (MT).

In addition, New Zealand is the first among other nations to ring in the New Year. It runs 18 hours ahead of the Times Square Ball Drop Event.

What are the other objects dropped by other cities?

Several cities across the US have adopted different traditions to welcome the New Year, which involve the dropping of unique objects, unlike the Times Square Ball.

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a giant lighted anchor is dropped. A giant white rose also makes it to the drop in York, Pennsylvania, which is known as the “White Rose City.”

Reports have mentioned that overall there are at least 200 different objects that make it to the traditional drop on New Year’s Eve celebrations.

While in some cities, the drop also includes food. For instance, in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, a giant M&M or a Dove chocolate bar used to be dropped, reflecting local manufacturing of the products. And in Mobile, Alabama, they drop an edible MoonPie in blueberry flavor. In Eastport, Maine, a sardine is lowered as a tribute to the fishing industry.

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The first Times Square ball was created by Jacob Starr, a Ukrainian immigrant and metalworker. He made a ball of iron and wood that weighed 700 pounds. It measured 5 feet in diameter and was adorned with 100 light bulbs. The inaugural ball was dropped on December 31, 1907.

Carrie Underwood, the Jonas Brothers, Mark Ambor, Rita Ora, and TLC were among other celebrities who performed during the 2025 Times Square ball drop event. Meanwhile, "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash," which was aired on CBS, witnessed performances from Post Malone, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, and some other country stars.

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