- - Thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers brave frigid weather for Times Square ball drop to ring in 2026

Marie Pohl, Caitlin McCormackDecember 31, 2025 at 9:09 PM

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Thousands of New Year’s Eve revelers from near and far flooded Times Square to witness the iconic ball drop — braving sub-freezing temperatures and an expected burst of light snowfall.

“I can’t feel my feet. I’m so cold. But we are doing our best,” declared Vanessa Ramirez, a 35-year-old tourist from Colombia who came to the Big Apple with two pals to ring in 2026.

Ramirez, Victoria Estevez, 30, and 27-year-old Aurelien Froidefond arrived at the Crossroads of the World at 10 a.m. to secure a spot for the big night.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” gushed Estevez, who hinted at the tribulations that come with camping outside in the cold for hours on end.

Fireworks explode and confetti drop after the crystal button is pushed that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball at Times Square in New York City, U.S., December 31, 2025. REUTERS

“I just stopped needing to go to the bathroom. I already know in my mind that I will go after 12 and that it will work… I’m not drinking anything, just tiny sips,” she said.

With temperatures dipping below 30 degrees on Wednesday evening with a chance for up to an inch of snow, many dedicated partiers wore quadruple layers to beat the cold — on top of the Depends adult diapers peddlers were selling for $50 a pop.

“I have four layers on, two of them are thermal,” explained Estevez.

And for others like Yecemia Sanchez, 51, from West Bloomfield, Mich., the ball drop wasn’t the only cause for celebration.

A couple embraces during New Year’s Eve celebrations on January 01, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images

People from all over the world are seen gathered for the 2026 Ball Drop at Times Square amid cold weather. Niyi Fote/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA / SplashNews.com

Sanchez told The Post that she’s planning on proposing to her boyfriend, 57-year-old Tony Murry, at midnight.

“I was just getting my post op yesterday, so [Murry] is like, ‘We’re still gonna go? You just came out of the hospital.’ And I was like, ‘Yes, we’re still gonna go’,” said Sanchez, who’s recovering after taking a spill on a patch of ice outside her home.

Sanchez said she and Murry have known each other for 17 years, but separated for 11 years and recently reconnected two years ago. One of the first promises Murry made her when they started dating the first time around was to see the ball drop in person.

“He he’s been promising, promising, and I said, you know, you did make me a promise. He’s like, I’m gonna make it happen, and here we are,” Sanchez said.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams — holding a portrait of his mother — pushes the crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square on December 31, 2025. REUTERS

Diana Ross performs at Times Square during the New Year’s Eve celebrations before midnight in New York City. REUTERS

Revelers Will Krag and Bella Courchesne kiss as the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Getty Images

Others, like 24-year-old Mackenzie Pappas and 31-year-old David Brandon of Staten Island, started staking out their spots around 2:30 p.m. and bundled up in two pairs of pants, three shirts, a sweater, and a heated jacket.

“I’m cold, but I can tolerate it,” Pappas boasted, noting that she wouldn’t dare miss the ball drop ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.

“If it snows, we’re still coming, no matter what. No matter what. It’s the 250th birthday!” she said.

Neshia Clark, a 32-year-old engineer from “sunny California,” said she didn’t even consider canceling her plans even as the temperatures plummeted.

“No, it’s New York. Why would you?” she said plainly.

Fireworks and confetti fire out as the Times Square ball drops on New Year’s Eve. Getty Images

Confetti falls down onto the crowd in Times Squar as New York celebrates New Year’s on Jan. 1, 2026. AP

People arrive to Times Square during New Year’s Eve celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in New York. AP

Renata Stauffer, a 39-year-old tourist from Brazil, wasn’t quite as confident in her family’s ability to withstand the elements.

“My feet are numb. My toes are so cold. My fingers are frozen like ice, like ice! My husband is out there. I’ll try to go back now to meet him. I’ll try. But maybe we won’t survive. Maybe we will leave. It is too much,” Stauffer lamented to The Post while taking shelter inside a deli on 44th Street.

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Source: “AOL Breaking”