New Year’s Eve Ball Drop 2018 – Watch Times Square Countdown Video

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2017 will become 2018 when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Gossip Cop has a live stream of the Times Square countdown and ball drop below!

This year’s iconic crystal ball weighs nearly 12,000 pounds and is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles. To ring in the next year, a new theme, “Gift Of Serenity,” is being introduced with 288 panels installed on the ball designed to look like “intertwining butterflies.” Each panel varies in size and length, ranging from 4.75 inches to 5.75 inches per side. And with around 600 LED lights, the crystal ball is capable of showing more than 16 million vibrant patterns and colors.

For the ninth year in a row, the countdown event is sponsored by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment. For the webcast, Andy Grammer and Lauren Alaina are serving as the musical headliners, performing live for the millions of people in Times Square and those watching from the comforts of their own homes. Grammer has been tasked with leading a New Year’s tradition: Singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” just before the ball drops at midnight. Earlier in the evening, he’ll also perform his signature songs, such as “Honey, I’m Good.” Country star and “American Idol” runner-up Alaina is set to perform her hit tracks “Road Less Traveled” and “What Ifs,” as well as a rendition of Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

For the second year running, Jonathan Bennett will host the webcast. He’ll be joined on the stream by Allison Hagendorf, who is returning for her sixth year as one of the Times Square New Year’s Eve emcees. And in what will no doubt be a poignant moment, Tarana Burke, the woman who started the “Me Too” movement, will press the button that kicks off the ball drop. The six-hour, commercial-free broadcast will start at 6 p.m. Eastern with the ball raising. Watch the Times Square live stream below!