#New Year’s Eve ball drop in NYC will be virtual this year

For the first time in 114 years, there will be no crowd in Times Square to cheer the famed New Year’s Eve ball drop.

In the latest COVID-19-induced blow to Big Apple traditions, officials announced major changes to the annual event Wednesday — saying that while the ball will still drop, the usual packed celebration will be a no-go.

“One thing that will never change is the ticking of time and the arrival of a New Year at midnight on December 31st,” said Tim Tompkins, the president of the Times Square Alliance, in a news release.

“But this year there will be significantly new and enhanced virtual, visual and digital offerings to complement whatever limited live entertainment or experiences – still in development — will take place in Times Square.”

Tompkins added to The Post that Times Square will be cordoned off from the general public by the NYPD and any event taking place inside the tourist hub will be for “broadcast purposes only.”

“There will be some socially distanced activities in Times square but it’s going to be primarily for a broadcast and streaming audience,” Tompkins said.

“There will be a very finite number of people in Times Square to sort of make that happen for the broadcast purposes but there’s not going to be crowds of the general public.”

It’s yet to be decided what live events will take place. The news release states there will be “an extremely limited group of in-person honorees, socially distanced, who will reflect the themes, challenges and inspirations of 2020.”

Fans of the event will have to tune in from home.

“More than ever in these divided and fear-filled times, the world desperately needs to come together symbolically and virtually to celebrate the people and things we love and to look forward with a sense of renewal and new beginnings,” Tompkins said.

Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square where the ball has dropped since 1907, has built a “virtual world of Times Square” along with a free app that’ll broadcast whatever celebrations end up happening and the iconic drop.

“We will miss everyone this year but we will bring our celebration to you, whether you want to turn off and turn away from the bad news of 2020, or turn to the new year with a sense of hope, renewal and resolution, you’ll be able to join us virtually like never before as part of the Times Square 2021 celebration,” said Jeff Strauss, the President of Countdown Entertainment, which co-produces the event alongside the Alliance.

The digital drop will include a celebration “of the best of the human spirit” that includes essential workers, first responders, doctors and scientists. The usual “emerging and established entertainers, musicians and artists” will also be part of the event.

Mayor Bill de Blasio commended the organizers for creating “a safe, creative and innovative way for all of us to continue to celebrate this century old-tradition.”

“A new year means a fresh start, and we’re excited to celebrate,” he said.