Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It is, once again, expected to be quite the celebration in Downtown Buffalo to ring in the New Year.
The 37th Annual New Year's Eve Ball Drop and Fireworks Celebration is set to take place this Tuesday outside the Electric Tower in Roosevelt Plaza to celebrate the year that was, and formally welcome 2025 with a bang. Festivities begin at 10 p.m. EST on Tuesday and will include live music, the ceremonial "Dropping of the NYE Ball", and a fireworks display courtesy of Skylighters of WNY starting at midnight.
"We hope families and friends from Buffalo and around the region will join us on Tuesday night, Dec. 31, as we ring in 2025 at the Electric Tower in Downtown Buffalo," said Mayor Chris Scanlon. "This is a longstanding tradition for many families and a great chance for us to come together, enjoy some wintry fun, while celebrating the start of a new year. Special thanks to our Presenting Sponsor M&T Bank and our other dedicated partners for their longstanding commitment to make this event possible."
Buffalo’s New Year’s Eve gathering is the second-largest such celebration in New York State, and the City of Buffalo is proud to be the largest supporter of this annual event.
Throughout New Year’s Eve, the city will have police officers, firefighters, parking and DPW crews stationed at Roosevelt Plaza to ensure that everyone in attendance remain safe and festive.
The city partners on the production process for this event with a team that includes the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Buffalo, Buffalo Place and Iskalo Development Corporation.
"Buffalo Place Inc. and our Board of Directors are pleased to partner with Mayor Scanlon, the Buffalo Police Athletic League, and Iskalo Development to present the 37th Annual Buffalo Ball Drop and Fireworks event," said Michael Schmand, Executive Director of Buffalo Place. "Thanks to the generous support of our Presenting Sponsor, M&T Bank, this cherished New Year’s tradition will light up Downtown Buffalo and ring in 2025 in spectacular fashion.”
The NYE Ball Drop and Fireworks Celebration in Downtown Buffalo is presented by M&T Bank.
DJ Jickster of 97 Rock will serve as the host of the 37th Annual NYE Ball Drop, which will feature live stage performances by some of Buffalo’s Best musicians, including Will Holton, a smooth and savvy saxophonist with an international reputation on the jazz scene. Buffalo’s own The Strictly Hip will also perform.
The NYE Ball Drop is an important fundraiser for the Police Athletic League (PAL) of Buffalo. Proceeds will be used to support PAL’s year-round athletic and enrichment programs to help ensure thousands of City youth get the support they need to thrive and grow.
"The annual New Year’s Eve Ball Drop is an exciting occasion where families across Buffalo can ring in the New Year together," said Nekia Kemp, executive director of The Police Athletic League of Buffalo. "On behalf of the PAL Board of Directors, chaired by Mayor Scanlon, we are grateful to the Ball Drop sponsors for supporting our continued efforts in raising significant funds that will directly benefit PAL youth who take part in our year-round sports, education, and enrichment programs in safe, city-wide recreation facilities in partnership with the Buffalo Police Department."
For those holiday revelers planning to visit Downtown Buffalo for New Year’s Eve, City officials issued a reminder that the City of Buffalo provides several safe, accessible, and affordable parking options through Buffalo Civic Auto Ramps (BCAR). All are conveniently located in walking distance to downtown attractions, including the ball drop.
For a complete list, visit: buffalony.gov/1733/Downtown-Parking-Ramps
For those who don’t plan on heading downtown to attend the NYE Ball Drop in Buffalo, they can watch the NYE Ball descend live on WKBW-TV Channel 7 just before midnight. Both the Buffalo Ball Drop and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest will be highlighted on the screen.