The Times Square New Year's Eve ball traditionally reaches the bottom of its pole at midnight.
The descent lasts 60 seconds and ends precisely as the new year begins in New York City. The ceremony takes place in Times Square, where crowds gather for music, performances, and the countdown. The ball is lowered from the flagpole atop One Times Square.
The tradition began in 1907, when the first ball was lowered to mark the arrival of 1908. The original ball was made of iron and wood and decorated with electric lights. Modern versions are far larger and use illuminated crystal panels.
Midnight is local New York time, or Eastern Time. This means the celebration happens at a different moment from New Year's events in London, Sydney, or Tokyo. A common mix-up is treating the ball drop as a general worldwide countdown; it is specifically the Times Square ceremony in Manhattan.