Is the Times Square Ball Drop cancelled?

TIMES Square will not be open to the public on New Year’s Eve, according to New York authorities. This is the first New Year’s Eve that will not allow people to congregate in the area since 1904. Is the Times Square Ball Drop cancelled?  Despite the tough year it has been, the Times Square ball […]

TIMES Square will not be open to the public on New Year’s Eve, according to New York authorities.

This is the first New Year’s Eve that will not allow people to congregate in the area since 1904.

Getty - Contributor

The Times Square ball drop event will not allow anyone to gather and watch it drop this year[/caption]

Is the Times Square Ball Drop cancelled? 

Despite the tough year it has been, the Times Square ball drop is not cancelled.

However, New York authorities will close off the area to follow coronavirus social distancing guidelines and prevent people from watching the ball.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adhering to stay-at-home guidelines to curb the spread of the virus, saying: “The safest way to celebrate the new year is to celebrate at home with the people who live with you or virtually with friends and family. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.”

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The ball will drop without a crowd but it will be televised [/caption]

To date, New York City has 422,000 active cases of the virus and nearly 25,000 deaths.

Overall, the most recent Johns Hopkins University data reports that there are 19,448,626 cases and 336,947 deaths nationwide.

Cancelling these large gatherings would curb the spread of the virus, as it has been backed by health professionals that big get-togethers could make things worse in terms of contracting the virus.

AFP - Getty

Cancelling the large gathering in Times Square would curb the spread of the virus, as cases in New York have seen a dramatic increase[/caption]

Who is performing at the New Year’s Eve Ball drop? 

Every year, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC televises the New Year’s ball drop along with performers and celebrity hosts.

This year, the celebrities scheduled to perform are:

• Jennifer Lopez
• Jimmie Allen
• Gloria Gaynor
• Machine Gun Kelly
• Cyndi Lauper
• Brandy
• Doja Cat
• Ella Mai
• En Vogue
• Julia Michaels
• JP Saxe
• Lewis Capaldi
• Maluma
• Megan Thee Stallion
• Miley Cyrus
• Nelly

Getty Images - Getty

Celebrities will perform live in light of the ball dropping at midnight[/caption]

Additionally, Saweetie will perform in Los Angeles and PJ Morton will perform Auld Lang Syne from New Orleans.

How can I watch it live?

The show will start streaming at 8pm ET live on ABC.

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Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve show will be live in New York City starting at 8pm on New Year’s Eve[/caption]