Know before you go

• There are no toilets in the Times Square pens and you cannot come back once you leave.

Airport to Times Square

JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes.

Subway to 42nd Street; pens close by the afternoon.

Public transport directions to Times Square

Where to stay by budget

Three hotels we would book

• Budget: Pod Times Square
• Mid-range: Arlo NoMad
• Splurge: The Plaza

Links search the nights from 30 December to 2 January. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual visit schedule for 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Family-friendly picks

• American Museum of Natural History.
• Bronx Zoo.
• Intrepid Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

• Rooftop bars in Midtown, jazz in the Village.

Ten tours worth booking for New Year's Eve in Times Square

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

• Katz's Delicatessen Pastrami
• Joe's Pizza Classic slice
• Russ and Daughters Bagels and lox
• Chelsea Market Food hall
• Xi'an Famous Foods Hand-pulled noodles
• Los Tacos No. 1 Tacos
• Peter Luger Steakhouse in Williamsburg
• Levain Bakery Giant cookies

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

• The Met.
• MoMA.
• Grand Central Market and the New York Public Library.

Getting around on event days

• Subway runs 24 hours; OMNY contactless with a weekly cap.
• Arthur Ashe Stadium: 7 train or LIRR to Mets-Willets Point.
• Uber and taxis are slow in Midtown traffic.

Day trips from New York City

• Hudson Valley: 1.5 hours
• Philadelphia: 1.5 hours by Amtrak

Questions people ask

When is New Year's Eve in Times Square 2026?

The next edition is 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Times Square?

JFK has the AirTrain to the subway and LIRR (45 to 60 minutes to Midtown). LaGuardia has the Q70 bus to the subway. Newark (EWR) has AirTrain to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station in 30 minutes. Subway to 42nd Street; pens close by the afternoon.

Where should I stay for New Year's Eve in Times Square?

For most visitors the best base is Midtown West and Chelsea: Walk to Times Square, Broadway and the High Line.

What else can we do around New Year's Eve in Times Square?

Good short outings in New York City include Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt, Central Park bike or pedicab tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near New Year's Eve in Times Square?

Family-friendly picks: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Broadway show, Top of the Rock or Summit One Vanderbilt. American Museum of Natural History.

How far is Times Square from New York City centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. Subway to 42nd Street; pens close by the afternoon.

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