Ball drop in Times Square marks the start of 2025
TIMES SQUARE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Nearly a million people braved the pouring rain at the Crossroads of the World to say goodbye to 2024 and usher in a new year
Eyewitness News caught up with revelers who stood in the downpours to ring in the new year in Times Square with a poncho as their only defense.
For every raindrop and rain-soaked performance, there was just as much optimism for 2025.
"I'm just here celebrating love, life, and happiness," one visitor said.
They said they just wanted to take in some of the sights and sounds.
"I've always wanted to do this it's been on my bucket list since I was a kid," said Shauntay who made the trip all the way from California.
"The feel is incredible," said a woman who was there with her family. "We were comparing it to London, where we go often. And New York has it way better than London does!"
The NYPD patrolled the area with bomb-sniffing dogs. And sanitation trucks were positioned to prevent a vehicle-ramming attack, which is just a microcosm of the elaborate safety plan.
"We want everyone to have a happy and safe 2025, no better place to bring it," Mayor Eric Adams said.
Streets surrounding Times Square began closing at 4 am on Tuesday.
The entire area of 57th Street to 42nd Street between Sixth and Eighth Avenues was fully restricted by 11 a.m.
Police and organizers started letting spectators into the ball drop viewing area at 3 p.m.
WATCH: Live view of Times Square
From Sydney to Vladivostok to Mumbai, communities around the world have begun welcoming 2025 with spectacular light shows, embraces and ice plunges.
Auckland became the first major city to celebrate. Countries in the South Pacific Ocean are the first to ring in the New Year, with midnight in New Zealand striking 18 hours before the ball drop in Times Square in New York.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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