What to Expect: Over one ton of confetti, thousands of people, an enormous geodesic ball: these are just a few of things you can expect to see at the New Years Eve Times Square Celebration.

• Crowds: As at any holiday event, there's bound to be a crowd. Close to one million people participate in the New Years NYC celebration; the crowd is so large that streets and subway stations are closed and traffic redirected. While the throngs of people can be intimating, there is a special pleasure to be had in knowing that you are participating in an event viewed by over a billion people worldwide.
• Ball Drop: There's nothing quite like seeing with your own eyes the Times Square Ball Drop. This famous geodesic sphere weighs 11,875 lbs. and features 2,688 crystal triangles bolted to 672 LED modules. With its 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs, the Ball is able to create a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of kaleidoscopic patterns.

Inside Knowledge: The first New Years Eve Times Square Celebration, held in 1904, was meant to commemorate the official opening of the new headquarters of The New York Times. The all-day street festival, which featured a fireworks display set off from the base of the tower (now called One Times Square), was a huge success, ensuring that the tradition would be continued for years to come. When, two years later, the city banned the fireworks display, Alfred Ochs, the newspaper's owner, arranged to have a 700 lb. illuminated ball lowered from the tower flagpole at midnight to signal the end of the year.

Event Hints:

• Arrive Early: The earlier you arrive, the better your view. In 2010, prime viewing areas were filled by 5:30pm. For those who arrive later in the evening, video screens will be set up at One Times Square (where the ball is dropped), Broadway and 50th, Broadway and 52nd, Broadway and 54th, and Broadway and 58th. The sound system is set up in the Bowtie area, where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink lots of water and avoid coffee and alcohol, which will dehydrate you. Note, too, that public portable restrooms are not available during the New Years NYC celebration, so be sure to relieve yourself before making your way to the event.
• Dress Warmly: Remember, as you dress, that you might be spending hours in potentially below-freezing conditions. Wear layers or well-insulated materials. Note, also, that bags and backpacks are not allowed.