Crowds of people can once again attend the biggest New Year's Eve celebration in the United States to watch the ball drop.

One year after Times Square was closed to the public on New Year's Eve due to the pandemic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday that this year's event is open to everyone, but people will have to show proof of vaccination.

"Everyone come on down," de Blasio said. "We are proud to announce the ball drop, everything, coming back full strength, hundreds of people there to celebrate. We can finally get back together again. It's going to be amazing."

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Attendees 5 years and older will have to show a valid vaccine card along with photo identification. Children who are too young to be vaccinated may attend with a vaccinated adult.


There are some medical exemptions to the rule, and people in those categories must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours. Anyone unvaccinated must also wear a mask.

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City officials hope the turnout will show that the city is recovering from the crunch brought on by the pandemic.

"Join the crowd, join the joy, join a historic moment as New York City provides further evidence to the world that we are 100% back," de Blasio said.