Countdown to 2008 - in Video

Check out these videos for a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation for New Year's Eve 2008.

The Pontiac Garage Lineup

Times Square New Year's Eve 2008 features a star-studded lineup of live entertainment and at the center of it all - The Pontiac Garage. Kid Rock, The Bravery and Velvet Revolver will play to a million revelers in Times Square and a billion TV viewers around the world. Watch Video on Youtube >>

Philips Lighting Ball Test

The annual test of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball is conducted by Kaj den Daas, Chairman of Philips Lighting North America, Susan Bloom of Philips Lighting, Tim Tompkins, President of the Times Square Alliance and Jeff Straus, President of Countdown Entertainment who flip a giant Philips light switch to initiate the spectacular LED lighting effects and start the Ball up the flagpole. Watch Video on Youtube >>

Confetti Test and Wishing Wall

The annual "air worthiness test" of the confetti used for the Times Square 2008 New Year's Eve has taken place. Special skills are required to distribute the confetti correctly. This year anyone can write a personalized wish for 2008 onto a piece of confetti, either in person or online. These wishes, currently displayed on a Wishing Wall in the Times Square Information Center will then become part of the confetti blizzard in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Watch Video on Youtube >>

Good Riddance Day in Times Square

The Times Square Alliance invited the public to discard their bad memories - everything from photos of old lovers to bad tax returns - with help from an industrial shredder and vehicle from the New York City Department of Sanitation. Passersby also wrote their bad memories on stationery and watched those awful recollections get sliced into shreds. Watch Video on Youtube >>

Installation of Waterford Crystal on Times Square Ball

The Times Square New Year's Eve 100th birthday Ball has more crystal than ever before. A dazzling 672 Waterford Crystal triangles adorn the Ball. That's 168 more triangles than in previous years. The crystal triangles showcase a beautiful new theme , "Let There Be Light". This design is represented by a symbolic radiating sunburst on each of the triangles.For the first time, the crystal triangles are cut on both sides. The double cutting maximizes the light refraction of the crystal. Watch video on Youtube >>

Building the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball - Day One

Times Square New Year's Eve 2007-2008 is only days away and the 100th Birthday Ball is now being constructed around the flagpole atop One Times Square in New York. The new hi-tech Ball has 672 Waterford Crystal double cut triangles and 9576 Philips Luxeon LEDs capable of producing 16 million vibrant colors and billions of patterns. Today the shell and some of the panels were put into place. Watch video on Youtube >>

The numeral "8" arrives in Times Square

The gigantic 500-pound brand-new seven-foot-tall numeral "8" that will complete the "2-0-0-8" sign atop One Times Square was brought from the Bronx to Times Square by subway train. The numerals are on display at the Times Square Visitors Center from December 13-19, 2007, daily 8am to 8pm. Watch video on Youtube >>

The new 100th Birthday Times Square LED Ball

The 100th birthday Ball is lit by 9,576 Philips Luxeon LEDs and replace the 600 light bulbs previously on the Ball. Also, a dazzling 672 Waterford Crystal triangles adorn the Ball. That's 168 more triangles than in previous years. For the first time, the Ball will be able to display a palate of more than 16 million vivid vibrant colors creating billions of possible lighting effects. Watch video on Youtube >>