Watch the Times Square Ball Drop From Above: Your NYE 2026 Guide
Watching the Times Square ball drop in person doesn’t have to mean spending hours outside in the cold. At Margaritaville Resort Times Square, you can spend the evening over dinner and drinks, then watch the countdown from 5 o’Clock Somewhere, with direct views of the ball from the 31st and 32nd floors.
On Thursday, December 31, 2026, the resort will welcome 2027 with a rooftop celebration, a LandShark lounge party and an all-ages event at Margaritaville Restaurant. Planning a night out with friends, a celebration for two or a family New Year’s Eve? There are several ways to make New Year’s Eve in Times Square your own, with your room an elevator ride away when the night is over.
Times Square Ball Drop 2026 at a Glance
You can watch the Times Square ball drop from the rooftop at Margaritaville Resort Times Square, 31 floors above the street. Choose the rooftop for a direct view of the ball, or a lounge or restaurant party for a different atmosphere.
| Experience | Where | Best for | How to book |
| Rooftop Celebration | 5 o’Clock Somewhere, floors 31 and 32, with direct ball drop views | Couples and friends planning a dressed-up evening with dining and an open bar | |
| LandShark Lounge Party | Beside the 6th-floor rooftop pool, with access to the 7th-floor deck | Guests who prefer a lounge setting with music and table service | Tickets coming soon |
| Margaritaville Restaurant Celebration | Floors 2 and 3, an indoor party without a view of the ball | Families and groups looking for an all-ages party | Tickets coming soon |
Event tickets are sold separately from rooms, so book your room and your celebration individually.
Watch the Ball Drop From the Rooftop
At 5 o’Clock Somewhere, the view is the reason to head upstairs. The celebration spans the 31st and 32nd floors, with direct views of the Times Square ball as midnight approaches.
The rooftop party starts at 8pm, with gourmet dining, a premium open bar, a live DJ and a champagne toast at midnight. With tickets through Eventbrite. It suits couples and friends who want to dress for the occasion, enjoy the evening indoors and make the countdown part of a full night out.
There’s time to settle into the party before the final minute of the year. Have dinner, order a cocktail and enjoy the skyline, then turn your attention to the ball as the countdown begins.
If you’re comparing hotels with a view of the Times Square ball drop, the rooftop party gives you that view without needing one of the very few rooms that face the ball.
Explore the Rooftop Celebration and Ticket Options
More Ways to Celebrate at the Resort
LandShark Lounge Party
LandShark Bar & Grill offers a lounge setting beside the 6th-floor rooftop pool, with access to the 7th-floor deck. The published NYE plans include a live DJ and VIP table service, making this an option for guests who prefer a more casual evening with space to gather and talk between songs.
Tickets are coming soon.
Margaritaville Restaurant Celebration
Celebrate with the whole family at Margaritaville Restaurant on floors 2 and 3, where music, drinks and an island-inspired setting set the scene for welcoming 2027. The all-ages indoor party suits families and groups who want to spend the countdown together.
The restaurant doesn’t look onto the ball, so for the view itself, the rooftop is the place to be. Tickets are coming soon. You can explore the celebration for the latest details.
Ball Drop View Rooms
A small number of rooms offer direct views of the Times Square ball for a private celebration. Availability is very limited. Use the New Year’s Eve inquiry form to ask about a Ball Drop View Room and confirm the view before reserving.
Why Watch From Above?
Watching from the street means committing much of the day to your place in the crowd. Previous Times Square guidance has included afternoon entry, no return to your viewing spot once you leave, and restrictions on backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, chairs and alcohol. There have also been no portable public restrooms or licensed food vendors within the celebration area.
A rooftop party lets you plan the evening around a venue: somewhere to eat, have a drink and enjoy the hours before midnight. For guests staying at the resort, the night can finish with an elevator ride back to their room.
Where to Watch the Ball Drop in Times Square
Rooftop bars and hotel parties with a view of the ball are the warmest way to see it drop, with food, drinks and somewhere to sit.
Watching from the public street viewing areas is free, and paid tickets are for private venue parties.
At Margaritaville Resort Times Square, the rooftop celebration is the clearest choice if seeing the ball is your priority.
How the Night Works
A little planning before December 31 makes the evening easier to enjoy.
- Choose your celebration. Decide whether you want the rooftop view, a lounge party, the all-ages restaurant event or a private room experience.
- Book your room and tickets. Rooms and event tickets are booked separately, so reserve both once your plans are set.
- Plan your arrival. Streets around the resort close to traffic from around 4pm, and hotel guests receive an arrival letter with access instructions before the night.
- Keep the evening in one place. Once you’re checked in and your event begins, you can enjoy your chosen celebration without planning another journey through Times Square.
Keep your booking confirmation and arrival letter on your phone to show at checkpoints.
Staying at the Resort on New Year’s Eve
You don’t need a Ball Drop View Room to make the resort your base for the night. Choose from the Rooms & Suites, then add the celebration you want.
Staying in the same building gives you somewhere to get ready before the party and return afterward. Leave time to unpack, change and settle in, rather than arriving with only minutes to spare before your event.
The resort’s Seventh Avenue location is inside the New Year’s Eve closure area, with streets closing to traffic from around 4pm. Guests receive an arrival letter with access instructions, so plan to check in early and enjoy the build-up from inside.
With New Year’s Eve falling on a Thursday, you can extend the celebration into a long weekend. Stay through New Year’s Day, leave the first morning unhurried and give yourself another day or two to explore the city.
Stay On Into the New Year
If your trip extends further into January, NYC Restaurant Week and Broadway Week usually follow later in the month, with 2027 dates still to be confirmed. You can also plan your winter stay in Times Square for more ideas around Midtown.
Times Square Ball Drop FAQs Times Square Ball Drop FAQs
Yes. The rooftop celebration at 5 o’Clock Somewhere, on the 31st and 32nd floors, has direct views of the Times Square ball, with dinner, an open bar and a champagne toast at midnight.
Hotel rooftop bars and rooms that face the ball offer indoor views. At Margaritaville Resort Times Square, the rooftop celebration at 5 o’Clock Somewhere on the 31st and 32nd floors looks directly onto the ball.
No ticket is required for the free public street celebration, but private hotel and restaurant parties require their own reservations or tickets. Rooms and event tickets are booked separately.
For a hotel party, follow the arrival time and access instructions supplied by your venue. Public street viewing has previously required afternoon arrival, but the entry arrangements for December 31, 2026 should be checked closer to the event.
Yes. Hotel guests receive an arrival letter with access instructions for December 31. Keep it and your booking confirmation on your phone to show at police checkpoints, and allow extra time to get through the closures around Times Square.
