Every year, millions of people flock to Time’s Square in New York City to watch the iconic ball drop, a tradition that has become synonymous with ringing in the New Year. So much so, that it's hard to imagine Times Square without its extravagant New Year’s Eve display. But have you ever wondered how it all began? How did this annual tradition evolve from a humble, simple gathering to the awe-inspiring event we know today? 
 
Let’s rewind the clock and take a look at the very first New Year’s Eve show in Times Square, where the lighting was as primitive as it gets by today’s standards, but the excitement was just as real. Then, we’ll zoom in on how modern technology, with thousands of LED lights and even drones, now helps make the celebration one of the most spectacular events in the world. 

New Year’s Eve 1907 

The first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square was held on December 31, 1907. It was the grand opening of the newly completed Times Tower, the building that would eventually become the famous One Times Square. The developer of the building, a man named Adolph Ochs, was looking for a way to celebrate the opening and attract attention to his towering creation. And what better way to do that than with a midnight celebration on New Year’s Eve? 
 
Now, let’s be clear: when we think of a New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square today, we picture millions of LED lights, giant screens flashing advertisements, and that giant sparkling ball slowly descending from the sky. But back in 1907, the technology was far more rudimentary. The first ball wasn’t the high-tech, glistening sphere that we’ve come to know. It was a much simpler affair. 

 
The first New Year's Eve Ball was made of iron and wood, and it was just 5 feet in diameter. It was adorned with 100 light bulbs, a far cry from the thousands that light up Times Square today. The ball was lowered from a flagpole atop the Times Tower, and the lighting system was essentially a simple set of incandescent light bulbs. Compared to today’s display, it was about as basic as you can get. No lasers, no neon lights, no digital projections — just a handful of light bulbs illuminating the ball as it descended. 
 
Even though the lighting was primitive, the excitement in Times Square that night was palpable. The streets were packed with revelers, and as the ball dropped, people cheered in excitement. It wasn’t just a simple countdown; it was an entire spectacle, one that marked the beginning of a new tradition for New Yorkers and the rest of the world. Thus, the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop was born, and with it, a tradition that would continue to grow and evolve over the years. 

The New Years Eve Ball

As the years passed, the New Year’s Eve Ball underwent numerous changes, both in size and design. Over time, the simple iron-and-wood ball was replaced with more advanced materials like aluminum and, later, more durable metal. The size grew too — by the 1950s, the ball was about 12 feet in diameter and had more than 150 light bulbs. 
 
But the real transformation happened when Times Square started to evolve into the neon-lit, multimedia giant that it is today. The 1980s and 1990s brought about the era of modern technology, and New Year’s Eve in Times Square wasn’t left behind. The ball’s lighting was upgraded to incorporate more advanced electric bulbs and, eventually, the first LED lights. The early 2000s saw the installation of a new ball, made entirely of Waterford crystal and equipped with 12,000 LED lights.

But it’s not just the ball that’s become a symbol of innovation. The entire Times Square area has undergone a dramatic transformation. The street is now lined with massive digital billboards, flashing advertisements, and high-definition screens. The lights that once were simple bulbs have become part of an immersive light show that is broadcast around the world. These days, it’s not uncommon for people to watch the celebration from the comfort of their homes or hotel rooms in New York City, as the streets are filled with a massive crowd of onlookers. And let’s not forget the music, performances, and celebrity appearances that have become an essential part of the New Year’s Eve celebration. 
 
Today’s light show in Times Square is a far cry from the humble beginnings of the first ball drop. But the spirit of the event remains the same: it’s a celebration of new beginnings, a chance to ring in the future with a bang, and a symbol of hope, excitement, and unity for people across the world.

This Year's Event

So, what can we expect from the 2025 New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square? First off, this year’s ball is made up of 2,688 crystal triangles, which will shimmer and sparkle in all sorts of colors as they descend through the New York sky. The ball is powered by 32,256 LEDs, allowing it to create an extraordinary array of effects.

But here’s the real game-changer—LED drones. We talked about the growing popularity of drones in place of fireworks back in our 4th of July blog but now we’re seeing them used in one of the biggest celebrations in the World.  

In recent years, drones have started to make their way into the New Year’s Eve celebrations, and in 2024, they’ll be playing a major role in the light show. Times Square will feature a fleet of 1,000 drones soaring through the sky, creating intricate patterns and designs that will light up the night. Think of it as an aerial dance party, with synchronized drones forming shapes like fireworks, stars, and even New Year’s greetings as they zip through the sky. This aerial spectacle will add an entirely new dimension to the traditional ball drop. 
 
With these incredible technological upgrades, it’s no wonder that Times Square’s New Year’s Eve celebration is one of the most-watched events in the world. 

2025 and Beyond

Whether you’re watching from the comfort of your home or braving the crowds in Times Square, there’s something truly magical about seeing that ball descend into the new year. And as technology continues to advance, who knows what future New Year’s Eve celebrations will look like? One thing’s for sure—they’ll always be bigger, brighter, and more exciting than ever before. 
 
If the past century is any indication, we can only imagine what the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square will look like in another 100 years. But for now, let’s soak in the electrifying atmosphere as we ring in the New Year — with a celebration that has come a long way since 1907.