New Year's Ball Drops In Times Square During Coronavirus

NEW YORK, NY — Due to the coronavirus, the New Year's Eve festivities in Times Square looked different this year. People were discouraged from gathering in crowds to prevent the spread of the virus.

Usually around 1 million revelers are drawn to watch musical performances and celebrate the New Year for the annual tradition in New York City.

This year, a live audience was limited to around 40 essential workers and first responders.

A commercial-free webcast aired live on the Times Square website to encourage people to tune in virtually.

Here are scenes from the event:

An aerial view of Times Square Dec. 31 shows the socially distant nature of the celebration in what is normally an area filled with wall-to-wall people. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio dances with his wife, writer and activist Chirlane McCray, in Times Square during the 2021 New Year’s celebration on Dec. 31, 2020. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

Jennifer Lopez performs live from Times Square during the New Year’s Eve celebration. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

Revelers celebrated New Year's Eve in socially distanced pods at Times Square on Dec. 31, 2020. A limited live audience of about 40 first responders and essential workers was allowed to watch the ball drop from a secure area in Times Square. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

The ball was raised into place in Times Square. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

Billie Porter performs live from Times Square. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

Machine Gun Kelly performed live from Times Square Dec. 31, 2020. (Photo by Gary Hershorn-Pool/Getty Images)

Revelers celebrated New Year's Eve in socially distanced pods at Times Square. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

The New Year's Eve ball drops in a mostly empty Times Square Jan. 1, 2021. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

See Also:

• Live Feed: Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop 2021
• New Year's Eve 2020 In NYC Will Be Unrecognizable: What To Expect
• Jennifer Lopez To Headline Times Square New Year's Eve Show
• Times Square New Year's Eve Goes Virtual Due To Coronavirus