The countdown to 2026 is on, and the action has started. I’m tracking the shows, the performances, and the exact moments you need to catch. Whether you are headed out or staying in, tonight is built for joy. Let’s get you set for a smooth, high energy run into midnight. 🎉
Where to watch the countdown, live and free
Here is your live plan. ABC leads the night with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest. Expect wall to wall music, quick hits from packed city stages, and the full Times Square feed. Other major networks are on the air as well, and several outlets are streaming the ball drop for free. Cord cutters, you are covered.
If you are watching from the couch, choose your stream early. Cast it to the biggest screen you have. Keep a backup ready on your phone or tablet. If you are heading to a public watch spot, download the app for your stream now, then test audio with headphones. You do not want to buffer at 11:59.
Launch your stream at least 10 minutes early and turn off battery saver. Keep your charger plugged in.
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Who’s performing tonight
Times Square has a star at center stage. Diana Ross is performing as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration, a rare, classic voice built for a night like this. The crowd is already tuned for sing along moments and camera flashes. Across the shows, expect a mix of pop, hip hop, and live band sets from city stages coast to coast. Segments rotate fast, so keep the volume up.
At home, build your own mini lineup between TV blocks. Queue a three song set that matches the hour. Upbeat at 10. Nostalgic at 11. Pure celebration at 11:50. Then, let the broadcast carry you to midnight.
Key times to catch the action
The clock does the work tonight. Your job is to be ready at the right minute. The Times Square ball begins its 60 second drop at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The final chorus hits at midnight. Plan your toast and camera angles before that minute starts.
- 11:59 p.m. ET, ball drop begins, 60 second descent
- 12:00 a.m. ET, Eastern midnight
- 12:00 a.m. CT, 1 a.m. ET, Central midnight
- 12:00 a.m. MT, 2 a.m. ET, Mountain midnight
- 12:00 a.m. PT, 3 a.m. ET, Pacific midnight
If you are watching from the West Coast, you have two options. Ride live East Coast midnight for the big ball drop, then do it again at your local midnight. Or save the crescendo for Pacific time and build your own pregame. Either way, lights low, volume high, glasses ready.
Make it a hobby night at home
This is the perfect evening to turn small rituals into a tradition. Keep it simple and hands on. Set a craft station for DIY confetti with tissue paper and a hole punch. Mix a house mocktail, citrus and ginger always play well on camera. Build a quick photo checklist, group selfie, the countdown face, the first smile of 2026, the first hug.
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Create a 60 second ritual for the drop. It adds focus and joy to the moment.
- At 11:59, press record on your phone.
- Read one line you are grateful for in 2025.
- At zero, toast, hug, breathe, then make one small promise for tomorrow.
If you prefer quiet, go analog. Write a single page in your journal. Note your best habit from 2025 and the first habit you will try on January 1. Lay out your walking shoes by the door. Put your library card in your wallet. Set your first hobby hour for next week, not someday.
Fireworks, drones, and sparklers have local rules. Check them before you light anything. Protect pets, hydrate, and plan a sober ride.
Tips for heading out
If you are braving the cold, layer smart. Thin thermal base, warm mid layer, wind blocking shell. Pack light, phone, slim battery, ID, transit card. Choose mittens over gloves for warmth. Use a lanyard case so your phone stays with you when you cheer. Agree on a meet point before you join the crowd. Loud nights end better with a plan.
At a bar or community event, pick a spot with a clear view of one screen. Ask what feed they will show at midnight. Some venues keep the music up and miss the official countdown audio. You want the numbers out loud for the room. 📺
The last word
This is your jump into 2026, and you get to shape it. I have the countdown, the broadcasts, and the moments lined up. You bring the people, the playlist, and the promise you want to make. I will be on the clock with you at 11:59 p.m. ET, watching that crystal ball slide toward first light. See you on the other side.
