Go Confetti
The first confetti to fly on New Year’s Eve in Times Square ushering in 2023
The New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square began in 1904, the first ball dropped in 1907, and has been a world-famous event, typically attracting over a million visitors every year. A confetti drop was added in 1992 as a way to improve the image of the event, and of Times Square, which back then was quite seedy. Organizers wanted to clean the place up, and they brought in Treb Heining.
Heining, an accomplished event producer and designer, has been behind the confetti drop for 30 years. Every year he builds a team of volunteers and works on the logistics for the big event. The preparation for the confetti drop has evolved over the years and is both art and science. Heining and his team have worked hard designing and testing the confetti to ensure it produces an unforgettable experience.
Treb Heining on top of the Minskoff Theatre, radio in hand, ready to call out “go confetti”
The confetti drop is an essential part of the New Year’s celebration, the icing on the cake, that has become a beloved tradition for millions of people around the world. It's a testament to Heining’s creativity, passion, and love of the event – and of bringing joy to people.
Treb Heining preps the team before they head up to the rooftops for the midnight confetti drop
As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Times Square buzzed with anticipation as crowds eagerly awaited the iconic moment. Midtown Manhattan, illuminated by lights and digital billboards, served as a magnificent backdrop to the festivities.
At 20 seconds until midnight with the crowd counting down, Treb gives the command “go confetti” into his radio to achieve a simultaneous release throughout the Bow Tie.
Amazingly, and think about this when viewing the images below, this is all done by hand. These images presented here capture the first confetti to be released, the spectacular blizzard-like effect above Manhattan, and the moments that followed after midnight early into the new year.
It must be mentioned, while the confetti drop at the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square is a beloved tradition, it's not without its detractors. Some individuals and groups raise concerns about the environmental impact of the event, as it can take a long time for the confetti decompose and can contribute to litter and pollution.
Measures to address these concerns have been taken. The confetti used in the celebration is made from paper and is biodegradable, which helps to reduce the impact on the environment. Additionally, clean-up efforts are conducted following the celebration to help keep the area clean and reduce litter.
While it's important to consider the impact of our actions on the environment, it's also important to acknowledge the joy and excitement that the confetti drop brings to so many people. Treb Heining and his team have been dedicated to creating a visually stunning and memorable experience for those who come to Times Square to celebrate the new year, and the confetti drop is a big part of that experience.