What is the name of the New Year's Eve event in New York City's Times Square when a lit sphere descends?

The New Year’s Eve event in New York City’s Times Square when a lit sphere descends is the Times Square Ball Drop.

The annual ceremony takes place at One Times Square, where the illuminated ball is lowered during the final minute before midnight. A large crowd gathers in the square, while television networks transmit the countdown and the descent to viewers around the world.

The tradition began on December 31, 1907, when the first ball was lowered to mark the arrival of 1908. The event was organized by the New York Times to celebrate the newspaper’s new headquarters in Times Square. The ball’s design, lighting, and technology have changed repeatedly, but the descending sphere has remained the central symbol.

The ball reaches the bottom at midnight, after which confetti is released and the new year is celebrated. It is distinct from the broader Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration, which also includes musical performances and public announcements.