Every year since 1904, New Year's Eve has been celebrated in New York City by the lowering of a giant ball down a pole at Times Square, a sight that nearly a million people pack into the city's main entertainment hotspot to observe. It's a spectacular event with big crowds watching a brightly lit crystal ball (designed by Waterford Crystal) descend on a final countdown to midnight. People begin arriving at 4:00 PM when the street is closed to traffic. At 6:00 PM the Ball is raised and lit. Two minutes of sound effects and music with a 30-second video countdown on giant screens mark the end of each hour. At 11:59 PM the final 60-second countdown begins as the Ball descends. At midnight the ball's light goes out and the New Year's number appears above in bright light while the confetti and hugging and kissing begins among the over 500,000 revelers. No alcohol is permitted on the streets and the viewing area, but some restaurants/bars are open. Note: Dress warm.