What is the name of the illuminated New Year's Eve landmark ball in New York's Times Square?

The illuminated New Year's Eve landmark ball in New York's Times Square is called the Times Square Ball.

The ball is lowered from One Times Square during the final minute of December 31. Its official role is simple: the descent ends at midnight, providing a highly visible signal that the new year has begun. Because the ceremony is broadcast worldwide, the ball’s name is often used as shorthand for the entire Times Square celebration.

The original 1907 ball was a relatively small iron-and-wood structure. Successive versions changed in size and materials, and the current design is a large geodesic sphere covered by Waterford crystal panels. LED lighting allows the ball to display many colors and patterns before and during the descent.

The Times Square Ball is sometimes confused with the New Year’s Eve celebration itself, but they are not identical. The event also includes performers, confetti, crowds, security operations, and broadcasts. The ball is the central object and timekeeping symbol within that larger public festival.