New Year's Eve in Times Square
Celebrating the passage of the year is a way to express our need to belong, to give meaning to life, to connect, and to prepare for the opportunities that the new year usually brings.
The first New Year's celebration in Times Square was organized by The New York Times newspaper in 1904, at the inauguration of its new headquarters, the "One Time Square" building. At the time, the place was still known as Longacre Square, a reference to a district in London, which was the center of the carriage trade in the English capital.
But the first time they used a ball to mark the passage of midnight was in 1907, when an iron sphere measuring 1.5 meters in diameter, illuminated with incandescent lamps, descended from the top of the new building. Since then, the celebration has become an iconic part of New Year's Eve in New York.
It all started because Adolph Ochs, the owner of the newspaper, wanted to create an event to replace the fireworks and was inspired by the "time balls" that marked the hour in the ports, before the invention of the telegraph and radio signals.
Over time, the ball incorporated new technologies and materials, up to the current version made of crystal and LED. It starts to descend seconds before midnight and, when it reaches the bottom, the new year is received with lots of music, dancing, and confetti.
The party in Times Square attracts thousands of curious people, who brave the cold, the crowd, and the scarcity of bathrooms to see the ball drop and celebrate the new year. Many claim that 1 million people participate in this event every year, but a realistic estimate points to 100,000. In addition, more than 1 billion people watch the event on television or on the internet worldwide.
Among the various options for New Year's Eve in New York, one of them is Central Park, where the São Silvestre Race takes place. The race starts at 11:59 p.m. and ends in the new year, with a party for the participants.
New Year's Eve on board is also an incredible way to celebrate the new year with style and fun. The yacht departs from Pier 83 at 9 p.m. and returns at half past midnight. It includes an open bar, DJ, champagne toast, and view of the fireworks at the Statue of Liberty.
• The View Restaurant & Lounge, at the top of the Marriott Marquis Hotel, in Times Square, with a 360° panoramic view of the city. You can enjoy a four-course buffet, open bar, DJ, dance floor, and watch the ball drop-in Times Square.
• Bateaux New York, a cruise on the Hudson River, providing an incredible view of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It includes a three-course dinner, open bar, live music, dance floor, and view of the fireworks.
• Asiate, a restaurant on the 35th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, at Columbus Circle, overlooking Central Park. It includes a six-course tasting menu, open bar, live music, champagne, and dance floor.
Keep in mind that to participate in any of these events, you need to make your reservation in advance, as they are very popular and can sell out quickly:
The old building, on 42nd Street, between Seventh Avenue and Broadway, has long ceased to be the newspaper's headquarters to become an iconic landmark of Times Square. Soon it will be transformed into a museum, where visitors can have immersive experiences through new technologies, such as Metaverse and virtual reality glasses.
The passage of the year in New York is a unique experience that mixes tradition, modernity, and diversity. Choose the way that pleases you most to celebrate and take the opportunity to renew your hopes. A Happy and Prosperous New Year to all!
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December 27, 2023
Davilmar Santos