What time does the New Year’s Eve show start is the top question on the minds of millions of Americans preparing to celebrate the arrival of 2026. With star-studded musical performances, live ball drop coverage from New York’s Times Square, and multiple nationally televised shows, knowing exact start times matters for planning parties, TV viewing, or attending in person. This comprehensive guide delivers the most current and verified facts about New Year’s Eve show start times across the United States, including broadcast schedules, streaming options, regional time zone differences, and detailed event timelines.
From headline broadcasts like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest to CNN’s countdown and the world-famous Times Square celebration, this article breaks down everything you need to know to be on time — and right in the moment — for the biggest night of the year.
Table of Contents
Overview: The Major New Year’s Eve Shows and What Time They Start
Every year, several major televised and live New Year’s Eve events run concurrently on December 31, with audiences tuning in from around the country. For 2025–26, the key record-breaking broadcasts and festivities all follow fixed start times that you should mark on your calendar:
- Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest begins at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31, 2025, and runs through early morning on January 1, 2026.
- CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen also airs beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- The Times Square public celebration and ball drop festivities start earlier at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the iconic New Year’s ball descent countdown kicking off at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Other coverage options such as CBS’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash and online streams have complementary but separately scheduled start times beginning in the early evening.
These verified timings reflect current broadcast plans and confirmed event details for New Year’s Eve 2025–26.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: What Time It Starts and What to Expect
Start Time
- The nationally televised celebration begins at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on ABC.
- This is the official broadcast start time. Viewers should be tuned in a few minutes early to catch pre-show moments and early performances.
Runtime
- The broadcast continues until approximately 4:00 a.m. ET — making this the longest edition in show history.
- The extended runtime covers the Times Square ball drop, countdowns across U.S. time zones, and post-midnight performances.
Hosts and Format
- Hosted live from Times Square by Ryan Seacrest, with co-host Rita Ora.
- The show is a mix of live performances, celebrity appearances, localized countdowns, and music acts from multiple cities.
- It includes expanded segments from cities including New York City, Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, Chicago, Nashville, Kansas City, and more.
Star-Studded Performers
This year’s lineup brings a wide range of musical talent to the broadcast, spanning genres and generations:
- Diana Ross headlines with her classic hits.
- Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ciara, LE SSERAFIM and others perform live at Times Square.
- Additional acts include Mariah Carey, Post Malone, Demi Lovato, 50 Cent, Pitbull, and Chappell Roan performing from various locations.
- The show also features special appearances by artists like The All-American Rejects, New Kids on the Block, Zara Larsson, and Madison Beer, among others for broad appeal across demographics.
This rich and varied performance list is part of the extended runtime designed to bring celebrations to homes across America.
CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live: Evening Countdown Coverage
Start Time
- CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live kicks off at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 31.
- Positioned head-to-head with ABC’s Rockin’ Eve broadcast, many viewers switch between the two depending on style preference.
Hosts and Highlights
- The countdown show is co-hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, returning for another year of live coverage.
- Performances, interviews, and special guest appearances offer diverse entertainment.
- This year’s lineup includes artists like Stephen Colbert, Shakira, Florence + The Machine, Robyn, Patti LaBelle, Brandi Carlile, and others — blending music with celebrity insight.
How To Watch
- Available on CNN via cable and also through CNN streaming services where accessible.
- Some cable alternatives and streaming plans offer free trials or limited access, especially for viewers without a traditional cable subscription.
This show is ideal for viewers who enjoy a mix of live entertainment, conversation, and countdown energy with familiar personalities.
Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration and Ball Drop
What Time the Celebration Starts
- The public celebration in Times Square, NYC begins at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time with the official opening ceremony.
- The event kicks off with the lighting and raising of the New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square, which serves as the starting signal for festivities.
Hourly Events Ahead of Midnight
The Times Square Alliance releases a detailed schedule of performances and activities leading up to midnight. This includes:
- Musical acts starting early in the evening.
- Hourly countdown moments and cheers throughout the night.
- Guest appearances, dance routines, and entertainment segments staged throughout Times Square.
Many of these live performances and moments are aired within the larger national broadcasts, providing a bridge between the Times Square crowd and viewers at home.
Iconic Ball Drop Countdown
- At 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, the sixty-second countdown begins — building to the ball’s descent.
- The ball descends for 60 seconds and completes its journey exactly at midnight, marking the official start of 2026 across the Eastern Time Zone.
- Immediately following midnight, more celebrations and the release of confetti signal the New Year’s arrival.
This ball drop remains one of the most watched moments globally, and it anchors the finale of nearly every New Year’s Eve broadcast in the U.S.
Detailed Times Square Evening Timeline
For readers planning to attend the NYE festivities in person or watch live streams, here’s a verified timeline of major events:
- 6:00 p.m. ET: Times Square celebrations begin with the ball lighting.
- 6:03 p.m. ET: National anthem performance kicks off the public event.
- 6:10–9:00 p.m. ET: Early performers and crowd interactions fill the evening.
- 7:40–8:00 p.m. ET: Pre-broadcast performances lead into the national shows.
- 8:00 p.m. ET: National broadcast shows begin across networks.
- 10:33 p.m. ET: Headline performances within Rockin’ Eve broadcast.
- 11:37 p.m. ET: Featured performance by Diana Ross.
- 11:59 p.m. ET: Final countdown begins; the ball drop marks the New Year.
- 12:00 a.m. ET: Official start of 2026; confetti released and celebrations peak.
This sequence helps viewers and attendees visualize how the night unfolds, blending live street entertainment with big-screen broadcast highlights.
Time Zone Conversions for National Broadcasts
Because the United States spans many time zones, the show start times above (reported in Eastern Time) will vary by region:
| Region | Show Start Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 8:00 p.m. |
| Central Time (CT) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 5:00 p.m. |
The ball drop countdown remains fixed at 11:59 p.m. local time in Times Square (ET), so viewers in other zones see it earlier in their respective evening if they choose to watch at that moment.
Streaming and Free Viewing Options
Today’s technology offers many ways to watch the New Year’s Eve shows beyond traditional TV:
- Live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream and others carry ABC and CNN broadcasts.
- The official Times Square website streams the ball drop broadcast — often free and accessible with no subscription.
- Major social platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) also carry official livestreams starting at 6:00 p.m. ET for public viewing.
- Some specials like Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve are available for replay on streaming services like Hulu after the broadcast ends.
These options ensure that viewers without cable subscriptions can still tune in — often with early evening streams beginning around 6:00 p.m. ET.
Other Celebrations and Spin-Off Shows
In addition to the main broadcasts:
- CBS’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash features country music artists and has its own schedule beginning in the late evening.
- Regional events in cities across the U.S. also mark midnight locally, though these do not affect national broadcast times.
Historical and Special Notes for 2026
The Times Square ball is experiencing a special year in 2026. Beyond the standard New Year’s drop:
- A historic second ball drop will occur on July 3, 2026 to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, marking the first time the ball descends on a date other than New Year’s Eve in its long history.
- The 2026 ball, known as the Constellation Ball, features advanced LED lighting and new programmable designs.
These enhancements do not change what time the New Year’s Eve show starts but add to the cultural significance of this year’s celebration.
Common Viewer Questions Answered
Q: Does the New Year’s Eve show start at midnight?
No. Major televised New Year’s Eve shows begin much earlier, typically at 8:00 p.m. ET, or even earlier for livestreams.
Q: Is the ball drop only shown on TV?
No. It’s streamed live on official Times Square platforms, social media, and through TV broadcasts.
Q: What time should I tune in if I don’t want to miss anything?
Plan to tune in at least 15–30 minutes before the show starts — around 7:30 p.m. ET — to catch pre-show festivities.
Conclusion
For anyone preparing to welcome 2026, knowing what time does the New Year’s Eve show start is essential. The verified schedule shows that major live broadcasts begin at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, while the official Times Square festivities open even earlier at 6:00 p.m. National audiences can choose broadcast or streaming options tailored to their preferences, and viewers across all U.S. time zones can enjoy this iconic celebration in ways that fit their evening plans.
Tell us in the comments how and where you plan to watch the New Year’s Eve shows, and share your favorite moments as the clock counts down!