For hundreds of years, Times Square, New York has maintained its position as one of the most anticipated New Year's Eve destinations in the world.

The tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square is said to have started in 1904 with about 200,000 people attending in the beginning. To this day, every last day of the old year, this iconic location has been the place where millions of people and tourists flock to, waiting for the sacred New Year's Eve moment amidst brilliant fireworks displays.

Not many people know that the tradition of dropping the ball in Times Square at the exact moment of transition between the old year and the new year, which many people have been eagerly waiting for, has appeared since 1907, because that year, the New York government banned fireworks. Until now, this tradition has been maintained regularly every year, except in the period of 1942-1943 when the ball was not dropped as usual.

Later, around the 1960s, the moment of the ball drop in Times Square was broadcast live. However, to fully enjoy the extremely special atmosphere of the moment welcoming the new year, there is still nothing better than being present directly at this famous location. Therefore, for many decades, Times Square has always been crowded with people jostling to wait for the new year. For example, in 2018, in sub-zero weather conditions and with maximum security, about 2 million people were present here to witness the crystal ball lowering ceremony marking the moment of transition from the old year to the new year.

This year, several days ago, the crystal ball in Times Square wore a new coat of paint, with hundreds of the ball's 3,000 crystals replaced with a new design, a floral bow motif. More than 1,360 kg of confetti is expected to be released, with an estimated 1 million people coming to the Square to admire the scene and about 1 billion people worldwide watching the live broadcast.

In addition, the ball in Times Square officially begins at around 6pm on December 31st, and the crystal ball of light will be lowered slowly for one minute at 11:59pm on December 31st. When the ball touches the ground, everyone will shout out “Happy New Year!” and sing the wonderful tune of the traditional song “Auld Lang Syne” in unison, tossing colorful pieces of paper into the air.

Europe: Maximum security for the New Year

This year, European countries continue to welcome the new year with many worries, when the economy continues to have few positive indicators, especially security and terrorism issues. Consecutive attacks and terrorist threats have appeared in many European countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden... not long ago, causing a series of European countries to recently announce plans to strengthen security measures and protect many crowded places. In France, there will be about 90,000 police officers deployed across the country, including 6,000 police officers in the capital Paris.

In particular, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin has ordered police and gendarmes to increase their presence at churches across the country during Christmas and New Year. Police in the Austrian capital Vienna have also stepped up security at events with large crowds.

Despite the worries, the atmosphere of welcoming the new year is still bustling across the old continent. For example, in the capital of England, London, a few days ago, technical staff were rushing to complete the final stages for the New Year's Eve fireworks event. According to the organizers, 12,000 fireworks will be launched within 12 minutes to welcome the new year 2024.

People in Brussels, Belgium will have more options for fun this New Year as the Winter Festival and Christmas Market will be extended by one week, until January 7 instead of ending on December 31 as in previous years.

Asia: Busy preparing for the New Year

In Thailand, the New Year 2024 Countdown Festival has been prepared. The Countdown Festival at the moment of transition between the old and new year with the theme "Amazing Thailand Countdown 2024 Vijit Arun" will take place from 6:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023 to 0:30 a.m. on January 1, 2024 at Nagaraphirom Park. This year, the country has a new joy when Nagaraphirom Park, opposite the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) across the Chao Phraya River, is the location chosen by CNN in the list of the best places to welcome the new year 2024 in the world. The highlight of the event is a series of 9 fireworks displays lasting 7 minutes lighting up the sky above the river right after the New Year's Eve. Not only taking place at Nagaraphirom Park, the countdown festival will also be held in most localities, especially the top tourist destinations in Thailand.

In South Korea, countdown events are being held in many locations across the country. Earlier, South Korean police announced safety measures for the more than 170,000 people expected to gather at famous locations in the capital to welcome the first moments of 2024. Police estimated that about 173,000 people will participate in the events on the last day of this year and the first day of 2024.

Many Japanese cities also prepare cultural events and festivals, including brilliant fireworks displays, unique light shows, and concerts and art performances.

AT