New Year’s Eve is here and the city is prepping for its annual ball drop in Times Square — and all the logistics that come with the celebration. 

Here’s what to expect.

Street closures

Times Square will be closed to all vehicular traffic starting at 4 a.m. on Saturday.

NYPD highly recommends the use of public transportation on Saturday as street closures and parking restrictions are expected to cause traffic delays. 

On Saturday, the following streets will be closed to all vehicular traffic:

Starting at 4 a.m.:

  • Seventh Avenue from 42nd to 49th streets
  • Broadway from 42nd to 49th streets
  • 43rd to 48th streets from Sixth to Eighth avenues

Starting at 11 a.m.:

  • Southbound Seventh Avenue and Broadway from 38th to 59th streets from Sixth to Eighth avenues
  • 38th to 56th streets from Sixth to Eighth avenues

The following streets will be utilized for spectator entry points and screening:

  • 38th Street: Sixth and Eighth avenues (for pens South of 41st Street)
  • 49th Street: Sixth and Eighth avenues
  • 52nd Street: Sixth and Eighth avenues
  • 56th Street: Sixth and Eighth avenues

On-street parking will be limited in the Midtown area.

People are encouraged to avoid all crosstown streets from 34th to 59th streets, as well as Sixth and Eighth avenues.

NYPD will continue its drunken driving enforcement on New Year's Eve through DWI patrols and checkpoints throughout the city.

Security 

  • Umbrellas, backpacks, lawn chairs, coolers and large bags are prohibited
  • Alcohol beverages are prohibited
  • Property may not be abandoned at checkpoints 
  • Attendees who leave before the ball drops will not be able to gain entry to their original viewing area 

There are no public restrooms in the public viewing areas. People will need to leave the area and go through security again for re-entry.

"We do not have any specific or credible threats directed toward the New Year’s Eve event here in Times Square,” said Deputy Chief Joseph Gallucci, executive officer of the counterterrorism division. “With that being said, this is the center of the universe. It’s a very iconic location, and it’s an iconic event on New Year’s Eve."

There is about a 20-block footprint that needs heightened surveillance, Gallucci said.

Thousands of uniformed police officers will be on post in addition to the officers assigned to their regular duties of patrol throughout the city’s streets, subways and housing developments, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said at a news briefing Friday.

“Every night and day in NYC, there are millions of eyes and ears out there and tomorrow night there will be millions more,” Sewell said. “If anyone sees something that does not look right or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell a police officer, call 911 or contact our counterterrorism hotline at 1-888-NYC-SAFE and we will investigate.” 

New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for the fire department’s EMS teams, Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said Friday. Hundreds of additional FDNY resources will be deployed around Times Square and throughout the city.

Subway/LIRR changes

The MTA is adding trains to its service for New Year’s Eve, and will enforce its annual ban on alcohol for commuter trains.  

Some subway access around Times Square will be closed beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday:

  • 47th Street and Broadway subway egress beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday until approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
  • 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue subway egress beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday until approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
  • Southbound and northbound N/R/W lines will bypass the 49th Street station beginning at noon Saturday  until approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday.
  • The northbound IRT "#1" train will bypass the 50th Street station beginning at noon Saturday  until approximately 12:15 a.m. Sunday. 

Times Square celebration

Three thousand pounds of confetti will be launched into the air Saturday night.

New Yorkers, along with New Year’s Eve organizers and Planet Fitness, gathered for a rehearsal of the confetti toss at the heart of Times Square Thursday.

The confetti will include thousands of handwritten New Year’s wishes from people who submitted them to Times Square’s Wishing Wall.

Weather 

On Saturday, it will be cloudy and showers will develop. Passing light rain is in store for New Year's eve. New Year's day will be mild and windy, NY1 meteorologist John Davitt said. 

However, umbrellas are not allowed at the city’s designated viewing areas.

“Bring a poncho, bring rain gear, bring your sense of humor, and we are going to have a great night in Times Square,” Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, said at Friday’s briefing.

(Here are some of the most extreme weather conditions for New Year’s Eve throughout the years.)

Other reminders

There’s no DSNY collection on Monday. If your trash/compost/recycling collection typically falls on a Monday, DSNY suggests leaving the materials at the curb Monday evening for collection starting Tuesday.