Times Square New Year’s Eve 2026: Road Closures and Parking Guide
Driving in for New Year’s Eve?
Garages inside the closure zone stop operating at 11 a.m. Book a garage outside it, west of Ninth Avenue, south of 37th Street or east of Fifth. Need a monthly spot in Midtown? Call (929) 619-9960.
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New Year’s Eve 2026 in Times Square falls on Thursday, December 31. The closures start long before the ball drops. No-parking rules begin just after midnight, detours spread through the morning, and garages inside the zone stop moving cars at 11 a.m.
This guide covers the Times Square New Year’s Eve street closures hour by hour, where to park outside the zone, the holiday parking rules for December 31 and January 1, and how to get out after midnight. Garage prices were checked on November 9, 2026.
Dec 31
New Year’s Eve, a Thursday
11 a.m.
Garages inside the zone stop operating
37th–57th
Streets in the detour zone, 5th to 9th Ave
$34
Garage west of 9th Ave, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Quick answer
On New Year’s Eve, Times Square street closures run from about 37th to 57th Street, between Fifth and Ninth Avenue. No parking starts at 12:01 a.m. on December 31. Detours widen at 11 a.m., when garages in the zone stop operating. From 4 p.m., Sixth to Eighth Avenue, 42nd to 57th Street, is closed to all traffic. Park outside the zone, such as west of Ninth Avenue, and walk to an entry point.
Times Square New Year’s Eve Street Closures 2026: Hour by Hour
The city posts an official closure notice each December. The timeline below comes from the city’s notice for New Year’s Eve 2025. Expect the same pattern on December 31, 2026.
| Time on Dec 31 | What closes |
|---|---|
| 12:01 a.m. | No parking on Broadway, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Avenue, and many cross streets, from about 39th to 57th Street |
| 2 a.m. | Detours on 42nd to 49th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Broadway |
| 4 a.m. | Detours on 43rd to 48th Street, between Sixth and Eighth Avenue |
| 11 a.m. | Detours on 37th to 57th Street, between Fifth and Ninth Avenue. Garages in the zone stop operating. Trucks are barred from Sixth to Eighth Avenue, 34th to 59th Street. |
| 3 p.m. | Viewer entry points open on Sixth and Eighth Avenue |
| 4 p.m. | Sixth to Eighth Avenue, 42nd to 57th Street, closes to all but emergency vehicles. 42nd Street closes from Fifth to Ninth Avenue. |
| About 6 p.m. | The ball rises to the top of the pole |
| 11:59 p.m. | The ball drops |
| After midnight | Police reopen streets in stages as the crowds clear |
To be confirmed
These times come from the city’s 2025 notice. The NYPD can change any of them. We will update this page when the city posts the 2026 notice, usually in late December.
Tap to load the map. Yellow: detour zone from 11 a.m. Red: closed from 4 p.m. Orange dots: entry points. Blue: garages outside the zone.
No-Parking Streets and Towing
The no-parking rules start at 12:01 a.m. on December 31 and run into January 1. Police post temporary signs a few days before. Cars left on these blocks can be towed.
- Broadway and Seventh Avenue: both sides, from 39th to 57th Street
- Sixth and Eighth Avenue: both sides, from 41st to 57th Street
- Cross streets: both sides of many blocks between Fifth and Ninth Avenue, from 39th to 57th Street
Read every sign, including paper ones taped to poles. A tow in Midtown on New Year’s Eve can mean a trip to the tow pound on New Year’s Day.
Where to Park for New Year’s Eve in Times Square
The rule is simple: park outside the detour zone, then walk to an entry point. West of Ninth Avenue, south of 37th Street and east of Fifth Avenue all work. Book ahead, and pick a garage that stays open past 1 a.m.
| Garage | Type | Price, 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. | Walk to an entry point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 475 W 41st St | Valet garage, west of 9th Ave | About $34 | 9 min to 8th Ave & 45th |
| 453 W 37th St (466 W 38th St) | Valet garage, west of 9th Ave | About $38 | 12 min to 8th Ave & 45th |
| 605 W 42nd St (Sky Garage) | Garage, near 11th Ave | About $40 | 16 min to 8th Ave & 45th |
| 351 W 34th St | Lot, south of the zone | About $39 | 13 min to 8th Ave & 45th |
| 1 Penn Plaza (272 W 34th St) | Garage, south of the zone | About $39 | 12 min to 8th Ave & 45th |
| 200 Park Ave (MetLife Building) | Valet garage, east of 5th Ave | About $42 | 10 min to 6th Ave & 45th |
| 240 E 47th St | Garage, east side | About $28 | 18 min to 6th Ave & 49th |
Prices are SpotHero rates for 1 p.m. on December 31, 2026 to 2 a.m. on January 1, 2027, checked on November 9, 2026. Rates change often, and garages add tax. Confirm the closing time before you book.
Watch out for “Times Square” garages
Many booking sites list garages on 40th to 46th Street as the closest to the ball drop. On New Year’s Eve, garages inside the zone stop operating at 11 a.m., based on the city’s 2025 notice. Your car could be stuck there until the streets reopen after midnight.
West of Ninth Avenue: the best overall
The garages at 475 W 41st Street and 453 W 37th Street sit just outside the zone. They were the best value we found, at about $34 and $38. You walk east to the entry point at Eighth Avenue and 45th Street, and you leave by Tenth Avenue or the West Side Highway.
South of 37th Street: Penn Station area
The lot at 351 W 34th Street and the garage at 1 Penn Plaza cost about $39. Both sit south of the detour zone. Walk north up Eighth Avenue to the entry points.
East of Fifth Avenue: for drivers from Queens and the Bronx
The MetLife Building garage at 200 Park Avenue costs about $42. The garage at 240 E 47th Street was the cheapest we found, at about $28, but it is an 18-minute walk. From the east side, you enter at Sixth Avenue.
Good to know
Work or live in Midtown? December is the hardest month to find a spot. A monthly space ends the daily search. Tell us your block, car and hours, and a parking partner will send options.
Driving In and Getting Out
- Arrive before 11 a.m. if you need to drive near the zone. After that, detours cover 37th to 57th Street.
- Congestion toll: Times Square is inside the Manhattan toll zone. On a Thursday, a car pays $9 with E-ZPass from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. After 9 p.m., the rate drops to $2.25.
- From New Jersey: the Lincoln Tunnel lets out near 40th Street and Tenth Avenue. The west side garages above are a few blocks away.
- From the east: use the FDR Drive or the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, then a garage east of Fifth Avenue.
- Leaving: wait 45 to 60 minutes after midnight. Walk to your garage first, then drive away from the zone, west or east, not through it.
NYC Parking Rules on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
New Year’s Eve is a regular weekday for parking rules. New Year’s Day is a major legal holiday, so the rules relax.
| Rule | Thursday, Dec 31 | Friday, Jan 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Parking meters | In effect | Not in effect |
| Alternate side parking | In effect | Suspended |
| “No Standing Anytime” and “No Stopping” signs | In effect | In effect |
| Event no-parking zone | In effect from 12:01 a.m. | In effect until streets reopen |
Check the full holiday list on our alternate side parking calendar. Stay 15 feet from hydrants on every day of the year. See our fire hydrant ticket guide.
Subway and Rideshare
The subway is the easiest way in. Trains run extra service on New Year’s Eve, but some stations near Times Square close or skip stops.
| Station or option | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Times Sq–42 St | Avoid it. The 42nd Street entrances close in the morning. Use a nearby station and walk. |
| 49 St (N, R, W) | Trains skip this stop from about noon until about 12:15 a.m. |
| 50 St (1 train) | Trains skip this stop from about noon until about 12:15 a.m. |
| Good options | 34 St–Herald Sq, 34 St–Penn Station and 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Ctr. Some entrances at 42 St–Bryant Park, 57 St–7 Av and 59 St–Columbus Circle may close. |
| Uber or taxi | Set your drop-off outside the zone, such as Ninth Avenue and 36th Street, or Madison Avenue and 45th Street. Expect surge prices after midnight. |
If You Plan to Watch the Ball Drop
- Free entry: no tickets are needed for the public viewing areas. Spots are first come, first served.
- Entry points: enter from Sixth or Eighth Avenue at 45th, 49th, 52nd or 56th Street. Viewing areas open at 3 p.m.
- No re-entry: if you leave your spot for food or a restroom, you cannot get back in.
- Not allowed: backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, chairs, coolers, alcohol and drones. Police search all bags.
- No restrooms: there are no portable toilets and no food vendors in the viewing areas.
Many people arrive in the early afternoon and stand for nine hours or more. Dress for the cold.
Tips for New Year’s Eve in Midtown
- Book a garage outside the zone. Check that it stays open until at least 2 a.m.
- Arrive by late morning. Driving gets harder after 11 a.m.
- Save your garage address. Phone signal can drop in the crowd.
- Plan to walk. Expect 10 to 20 minutes between your garage and an entry point.
- Wait out the rush. Streets reopen slowly after midnight. Leaving at 1 a.m. is often faster than leaving at 12:15.
Times Square New Year’s Eve Parking FAQ
What streets are closed in Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
Based on the city’s 2025 notice, detours cover 37th to 57th Street, between Fifth and Ninth Avenue, from 11 a.m. From 4 p.m., Sixth to Eighth Avenue, 42nd to 57th Street, is closed to all but emergency vehicles. 42nd Street closes from Fifth to Ninth Avenue.
What time do they close Times Square on New Year’s Eve?
Closures start early. No parking begins at 12:01 a.m., detours start at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., and the wider zone closes at 11 a.m. Viewing areas open at 3 p.m., and the core area closes to traffic at 4 p.m.
Where can I park for New Year’s Eve in Times Square?
Park outside the zone. Good options include 475 W 41st Street, 453 W 37th Street and 351 W 34th Street. Prices for 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. started at about $34 when we checked on November 9.
Do parking garages close on New Year’s Eve in Times Square?
Garages inside the zone stop operating at 11 a.m., based on the city’s 2025 notice. Garages outside the zone stay open, but check each garage’s closing time before you book.
Is there free parking in NYC on New Year’s Day?
Parking meters are not in effect on New Year’s Day, a major legal holiday. Alternate side parking is also suspended. Signs such as “No Standing Anytime” still apply.
Is alternate side parking in effect on New Year’s Eve?
Yes. December 31 is not an alternate side parking holiday. ASP is suspended on January 1.
Which subway stations should I avoid on New Year’s Eve?
Avoid Times Sq–42 St. Trains also skip 49 St on the N, R and W, and 50 St on the 1, from about noon until about 12:15 a.m.
When do the streets reopen after the ball drop?
Police reopen streets in stages after midnight as crowds clear. Plan to leave your garage around 1 a.m. or later.
Need Parking in Midtown?
New Year’s Eve is one night. If you drive to Midtown often, a monthly spot saves time and money.
- Monthly spot: call or email us with your block, car and budget.
- New Year’s Eve: use the garage list above.
- More holiday guides: Rockefeller tree lighting road closures, Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade road closures and where to park in NYC by neighborhood.
Sources
We checked city notices, rules and garage prices on November 9, 2026. Times for 2026 are expected, not yet confirmed.
