The spirit of the holiday season is in the air. New York City is one of the most festive places at Christmastime, with shoppers bustling along city streets, holiday displays lighting up windows and the feeling of winter in the crisp air.
The fun culminates on New Year's Eve, however, which is an extra-special time in the Big Apple.
The city may be famous for its NYE Ball Drop, yet there's more to see and do in Times Square than just counting down to the last moments of 2017 and the beginning of 2018.
"Every New Year's Eve, millions of visitors come to New York City to experience the unique vibrancy and excitement of our five-borough destination," said Fred Dixon, NYC & Company's president and CEO. "We invite travelers to explore Times Square during its biggest spotlight moment and to take advantage of the many other events happening throughout the city's neighborhoods."
Visitors will want to plan ahead to take advantage of all that's going on.
Through December 22, travelers can snap pics next to seven-foot-tall numbers "1" and "8" in Times Square.
A week later, it's Good Riddance Day- another celebration that takes place prior to the festivities on NYE. On December 28, from noon until 1 p.m., visitors and locals alike are invited to Broadway Plaza to tear apart their bad memories from 2017 with help from Shred-It.
After you've rid yourself of the bad memories, visit the Wishing Wall on December 29. Write your hopes, dreams, goals and resolutions for 2018 on the confetti, which will be released as the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve.
On the big day, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest will welcome in 2018 on the small screen. Viewers around the world can tune into the event hosted by Seacrest and Jenny McCarthy, with performances by Camila Cabello, Nick Jonas and Sugarland.
The Times Square New Year's Eve Live celebration will then kick off with a performance from the Tongliang Athletics Dragon Dance, part of a partnership between New York City and Chongqing, China. Pop singer and songwriter Andy Grammer headlines the musical event, which includes a performance from country-music star Lauren Alaina.
The celebrations in New York City aren't limited just to Times Square, either.
The city's five boroughs have a roster of events that are sure to keep revelers out into the wee hours of the holiday-and then it's time to start again for New Year's Day.
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