How to watch the ball drop and tune-into live specials ahead of 2025

From glowing television screens in quiet suburbs to the energy of packed city squares, millions are preparing for the moment when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve and the calendar turns its page.

Ready to join the global celebration? Here’s how to catch every countdown, no matter where you’re perched for the grand finale of 2024.

‘A Toast to 2024!’

Time: 9 p.m. ET

Channel: NBC

How to watch: The special will air live on NBC.

Hosts: The “TODAY” show’s Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager ring in the new year as the hosts of this two-hour primetime special. This will mark Kotb’s final time celebrating the holiday with “TODAY” as she is leaving the show in 2025.

Performances & more: Several celebrity appearances are in store, including stars such as Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg and George Lopez.

‘The Day Drinking with Seth Meyers New Year’s Special’

Time: 11:30 p.m. ET

Channel: NBC

How to watch: The special will air live on NBC.

Hosts: Seth Meyers will ring in the new year by looking back on his numerous Day Drinking segments.

Performances & more: The program will show the series’ buzziest moments, including some with stars Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson and Kevin Hart.

‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: ABC

How to watch: Watch live on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu. The special will also be available to stream live on the iHeartRadio app, as well as across 150 iHeartRadio stations.

Hosts: Ryan Seacrest will once again lead the celebration, marking his 20th anniversary as host of the special. For the second consecutive year, he will be joined live from Times Square in New York City by singer Rita Ora, according to the show’s release. Dayanara Torres returns as co-host in Puerto Rico.

Performances & more: An eclectic lineup of musical performances is set to join Seacrest. Among the performers are Natasha Bedingfield, TLC, Kesha, HARDY, DJ Cassidy, Ernest, T-Pain, Tinashe, Cody Johnson, Thomas Rhett, Teddy Swims and Lenny Kravitz.

Carrie Underwood will headline the night with some of her greatest hits. After the clock strikes midnight, the Jonas Brothers will take the Times Square stage with a medley performance to commemorate their 20th anniversary as a group.

‘New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen’

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: CNN

How to watch: The special will stream live on CNN, as well as on Max for subscribers, and on CNN.com, CNN connected TV, and mobile apps for pay TV subscribers.

Hosts: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are returning to Times Square in New York City for their eighth consecutive year as co-hosts of CNN’s “New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.” Additional CNN broadcasters will provide live coverage of celebrations across North America, while Richard Quest will report from Times Square.

Performances & more: Cooper and Cohen will be joined by several guests throughout the night including 50 Cent, Sting, Meghan Trainor, Shania Twain, Diplo, Lil Jon and Patti LaBelle.

‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Channel: CBS

How to watch: The event airs live on CBS and will be available to stream on Paramount+.

Hosts: The special will be hosted by Grammy-winner Keith Urban and “Entertainment Tonight” host Rachel Smith from the home of country music, Nashville, in Tennessee, per CBS’ press release.

Performances & more: This year’s performers include Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Tyler Hubbard, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Shaboozey, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top and Lainey Wilson. Keith Urban, Kane Brown and Jelly Roll are headlining from Bicentennial Park.

Watch the Times Square ball drop in person

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of the famous ball drop themselves this New Year’s Eve in Times Square, here’s how to make it happen.

Time: The New Year’s Eve ball is raised to the top of the pole at One Times Square around 6 p.m. ET. It will be released at exactly 11:59 p.m. ET to make its 60-second drop to celebrate the new year.

How to stream: Visit TimesSquareNYC.org to enjoy the live webcast from your computer or mobile device.

Where: Access to Times Square on the afternoon of Dec. 31 will be from 6th Avenue or 8th Avenue only, and will be on a first come, first served basis until the viewing areas are full.

Hosts: Actor Jonathan Bennett and co-host Jeremy Hassell.

Performances & more: Mark Ambor and Mickey Guyton will perform. And of course, the special Times Square New Year’s Eve tradition of singing John Lennon’s “Imagine” moments before the ball drop will continue this year, according to the Times Square official website.