New Year's Eve ball gets a makeover for 2025: What's new

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Just in time for 2025, the iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve ball was unveiled Friday.

“To all of NYC, I always say, why dream when you can live it,” said Grammy-winner Pitbull, who was there helping to place the final crystal in the ball.

The music superstar was there to promote his new company, CleanBoss, but the Miami-born artist said this was a pinch-me moment even for him.

“From the 305 to New York to being up here is surreal, unbelievable, and a great honor to represent for the ball that represents for the world to bring in the new year, so 2025 is all the way live.”

The legendary structure is 12 feet in diameter, nearly 12000 pounds, and covered with 2,6888 crystal triangles. 

This year’s triangles each showcase one of two patterns.

One design has deep, long, linear cuts with a circle at the top representing the building where the ball drops every year. The new-ever crystal design is three pairs of interlocking rings celebrating unity surrounded by diamond facets, Jeffrey Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment and co-organizer of New Year’s Eve, said. 

Since the first ball drop in 1907, the New Year’s Eve ball has changed seven times. 

The current ball, which has been around since 2008, will be retired and placed in a museum after next week.

“The ball is not only a symbol of time but also a symbol of technology,” Straus added.

Organizers are preparing to make Times Square the world’s Town Square. They say New Year’s Eve celebrations would not be complete without this emblematic piece of art.

 “TLC, Carrie Underwood, the Jonas brothers will be here, so it’s an action-packed night,

Gary Winkler, with Times Square Alliance, said. “People come together, start looking at what the year could be, and this ball is a symbol of hope for 2025.”

Officials say details about next year’s ball will be revealed in early 2025.