Each year, millions of eyes from all over the world are focused on the sparkling Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball. At 11:59 p.m., the Ball begins its descent as millions of voices unite to count down the final seconds of the year, and celebrate the beginning of a new year full of hopes, challenges, changes and dreams.

Share Your Messages of Peace

To celebrate the sentiment of peace reflected in the new “Let There Be Peace” Waterford crystal panel on the 2013 Times Square New Year’s Eve ball, Waterford and Times Square New Year’s Eve are inviting friends around the world to share their messages of peace. Select messages will be included in the live toast during the New Year’s Eve webcast.

Sentiments of peace can be shared until December 31st at 5 PM EST via one of three ways: 1. Tweet your message with hashtag #PeaceNYE 2. Post to Waterford’s Facebook page with hashtag #PeaceNYE 3. Post to Times Square’s Facebook page with hashtag #PeaceNYE

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Philips Makes Your New Year Sparkle Sweepstakes

Tweet how Philips could enhance your New Year with light!

2013 is almost here and to celebrate, Philips wants to make your 2013 sparkle like Times Square Ball! Enter their Make Your New Year Sparkle Sweepstakes for a chance to win a dazzling $1,500 home lighting entertainment kit for your home!

Starting December 28th, tweet about how Philips lighting can enhance your New Years Celebration, using #PhilipsNYECountdown. Entry period ends January 3rd.

Click here for details on how to win.

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Ball Fun Facts

• The Ball is a geodesic sphere, 12 feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds.
• The Ball is covered with a total of 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles that vary in size, and range in length from 4 3/4 inches to 5 3/4 inches per side.
• For Times Square 2013, 288 of the Waterford Crystal triangles introduce the new Let There Be Peace design of a dove with wings spread symbolizing a message of peace; 288 triangles feature the Let There Be Friendship engraving of people holding hands around the world; 288 triangles are emblazoned with the romantic Let There Be Love pattern of a cascade of hearts; 288 triangles showcase the Let There Be Courage ribbon medal design; 576 triangles sparkle with the Let There Be Joy design of an angel with arms uplifted welcoming the New Year; and the remaining 960 crystal triangles are the Let There Be Light design of a stylized radiating sunburst.
• The 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles are bolted to 672 LED modules which are attached to the aluminum frame of the Ball.
• The Ball is illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs (light emitting diodes). Each LED module contains 48 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs - 12 red, 12 blue, 12 green, and 12 white for a total of 8,064 of each color.
• The Ball is capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns producing a spectacular kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.

The New Year's Eve Ball Fact Sheet (.pdf)

Read more about the history of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball

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The Centennial Ball Light Show Count down with the Ball, practice your New Year’s Eve kiss, and watch a spectacular five-minute light show at :05, :25 and :45 minutes. See the Ball’s 9,576 LEDs display flags from around the world, the four seasons, and more! Times Square Museum & Visitor Center 7th Ave btw 46th & 47th Sts

_{Top Image Photo Credit: Ian Wallace}