Times Square parking: Where to find spots on New Year’s Eve 2021

Want to catch the New Year’s Eve 2021-2022 Ball Drop? You’ll have to be early if you want to get a good vantage point. Don’t waste time hunting for Times Square parking on New Year’s Eve- read this post to know where to find convenient spots!

Another year has gone past, and folks across the country are hoping for a much better 2022! In anticipation of a new beginning, most New Year’s Eve events in NYC will be organized in almost pre-COVID fashion! The annual Times Square Ball Drop is the most iconic of these events, which will return this year after muted celebrations last year. On New Year’s Eve 2020, the Ball Drop was not open to the public and was restricted to families of first responders of the COVID pandemic.

However, this year’s celebrations will be a spectacular return to form – so it’s best to plan your visit to Times Square well in advance. If you’ve ever been to Times Square before, you’ll know what a headache it is to find parking nearby. Unless you know where to find affordable parking, you might burn a hole in your pocket on New Year’s Eve! Read on to know where to find the best parking near Times Square.

When is New Year’s Eve 2021? 

New Year’s Eve 2021 falls on Friday, 31 December 2021. Yes, we can already hear you heave a collective sigh of relief – the first day of the new year is a Saturday! That also means that most folks will be in the mood to celebrate on Friday night. If you’re going to head to Times Square, you need to plan it down to the T.

Where is Times Square located? 

Times Square is located in Midtown Manhattan, at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It extends from W 42nd Street to W 47th Street and is easily one of the world’s busiest streets! More than 50 million visitors come to Times Square every year, with around 1 million of them reaching the location exclusively for New Year’s Eve. It’s no surprise why it’s called ‘The Crossroads of the World.’

Are there special New Year’s Eve 2021 events at Times Square? 

Times Square is in the limelight throughout the year – but it gets much more attention on December 31 because of the Times Square Ball and celebrations. Most revelers head out to a pre-New Year’s bash in any of the clubs, restaurants, or eateries near Times Square before heading out to the square a few minutes before midnight. You can also catch some spectacular performances from your favorite celebrities before the final countdown to the new year. Keep an eye on the schedule that will be posted on the official website.

What is the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop 2021? 

The Times Square Ball is located on the roof of One Times Square. It is symbolically lowered down a specially designed flagpole from 11.59 p.m. onwards and comes to rest at the base at exactly 12 a.m – thus signifying the start of the new year. This event is the culmination of an evening of live entertainment and performance. If you want to witness the ringing in of the new year, you better look for Times Square parking at a nearby garage!

What conditions should you fulfill to be allowed into Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2021?

All visitors to Times Square on New Year’s Eve need to be fully vaccinated and masked. On the event day, at least 14 days need to have passed after your second dose of a ‘two-dose vaccine’ or 14 days after a single dose of an approved ‘single-dose vaccine.’ All attendees must present proof of COVID vaccination to enter the event. The approved vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm, or Sinovac.

Unvaccinated minors below the age of 5 must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult to enter Times Square and should wear face masks. If you have been unable to get vaccinated because of disability, you must provide a negative COVID PCR test taken 72 hours before the event.

Can you stream the NYC Times Square New Year’s Eve events online?

Yes, you can watch the live stream of the NYC Times Square celebrations at TimesSquareNYC.org, or at TimesSquareBall.net.

I want to watch the NYE Ball Drop at Times Square. Where can I book parking for New Year’s Eve celebration at Times Square? 

• Official parking spots:  There is very limited on-site parking at the major venues here. Times Square parking is always at a premium. New Year’s Eve can get pretty busy for most establishments, so call in advance and try to reserve a spot if possible.
• Street parking near Times Square: You can find both metered and free street parking along Broadway and most streets between W 42nd to 47th Streets. Metered street parking will cost you $9-15 for 2 hours. However, you must be very early if you want the best spots! There are also many parking rules and regulations to keep track of.
• Off-site parking garages near Times Square: These are a safer and more convenient option if you want to enjoy the festivities without too much stress! You can easily pre-book off-site garages near Times Square in a jiffy using a parking app like Way.com. Booking online allows you to compare locations, prices, and book a spot in just a few swipes. Most of these garages offer rates 25% lower than on-site parking.

Cheap parking near Times Square for New Year’s Eve

Don’t wait till the last minute to start searching; pre-book an off-site spot for as low as $15 for six hours and seal your New Year’s Eve plans! Here are some convenient garages within walking distance of Times Square.

250 W 50th Street parking

This covered valet parking garage is operated by Icon Parking and is open 24×7. It’s one of your best options for Times Square parking on New Year’s Eve 2021. With flexible hourly parking options, you can park here for as low as $30 on New Year’s Eve.

140 W 53rd Street parking

This premium parking garage on W 53rd street is just 0.4 miles from Times Square. It is a perfect parking spot for New Year’s Eve 2021. The entrance to this garage is right next to the Sheraton New York hotel. Parking for 3-4 hours will cost you just $35 – that’s more affordable than other garages that cost more than $50 for a few hours.

300 W 55th Street parking

Looking for a great deal on New Year’s Eve Times Square parking? You can get 6-hour vouchers at this garage that cost just $25. For the period between 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., you can get a further discounted rate of $15!

Is parking free in NYC on New Year’s Eve?

Generally, New Year’s Eve is not a parking holiday in NYC. However, in 2021 New Year’s Eve falls on a Friday. Therefore, Major Legal Holiday Rules apply in NYC on New Year’s Eve 2021. (ASP rules are suspended during Major Legal and Religious Holidays. Regulations against stopping, standing, and parking are also suspended (i.e.: ‘No Standing Anytime’). Parking meter regulations are also suspended.

Do NYC parking rules apply on holidays?

Stopping, standing, and parking is permitted during Major Legal Holidays, except in locations where stopping, standing, and parking rules are in effect all 7 days of the week (i.e., “No Standing Anytime”). Also, parking won’t be in effect on Major Legal Holidays.

Is Christmas Eve a parking holiday in NYC?

Normally, it isn’t. However, like New Year’s Eve, Christmas Eve also falls on a Friday in 2021 and is, therefore, a Major Legal Holiday.

Are meters in effect on New Year’s Eve?

Usually, yes. But in 2021, since New Year’s Eve is on a Friday and thereby a Major Legal Holiday, parking meters won’t be in effect.

Is meter parking free today in NYC?

On Sundays in New York City, parking meters are always free. Also, during city-approved Major holidays, alternate side parking rules are suspended, and parking meters are not in effect.

Are commercial parking rules in effect in NYC?

Unless otherwise specified, these commercial parking rules are normally in effect Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in NYC.

Is street parking free in NYC on holidays?

Most street parking in NYC is metered, and standard meter rules and holidays apply.

Are meters in effect in NYC?

Unless otherwise specified (i.e., Sundays and Major Legal Holiday), meters will be in effect in NYC.

Is NYC alternate side parking still once a week?

Yes, Streets without parking meters will be cleaned no more than once per week, per side, under the alternate side parking (ASP) reform. Parking meters will still be in effect.

 

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