How to watch the New Year’s Eve 2021 ball drop live, plus every TV special

Since its adoption in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, the Gregorian calendar has been more or less an internationally accepted standard. Since Pope Gregory’s day, the passing of one year to another has become many things for many people: ragers, Auld Lange’s Syne, and gathering in icy cold midtown Manhattan in New York to watch a ball drop.

Watching the ball drop has become a cornerstone of just about every New Year’s celebration — and New York has its own app so you can watch it for free without cable. But depending on the quality of the soiree, the cut-and-dry ball drop experience of may not be what you’re looking for. Thankfully, streaming has taken over every other part of our lives, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Here’s a mix of some traditional, and much less traditional, ways to ring in 2022.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest

What to Watch: ABC and Hulu

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is Traditional Times Square Celebration is celebrating 50 years of its founding. It features more celebs than you could shake a stick at. Based in New York with outposts in New Orleans and Puerto Rico, there’s going to be a lot of remembering.

Are you still remembering DJ D-Nice and his Pandemic Parties? He’ll be there. Remember Avril Lavinge? She’ll be there doing “Sk8er Boi” with another person you might remember, Travis Barker. Remember Big Boi? He’ll be doing “The Way You Move.” Remember Macklemore with Ryan Lewis? They’ll be doing “Can’t Hold Us.” Remember Journey? They’ll be there. They’ll be there.

Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party

What to Watch:Peacock, NBC

When: Starts at 10:30 pm ET

It is what it is Miley Cyrus, an alternative to Secrest and Saturday Night Live’s Pete Davidson have taken Carson Daly’s mantle and are going all-out on viral celebrity in Miami. Jack Harlow, Saweetie, 24kGoldn and Kitty Ca$h are all performing, so there’s a chance this one could actually be sexy.

Nashville’s Big Bash

What to Watch: CBS or Paramount Plus

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is Ryan Secrest’s other option is Ryan Secrest. This one, however, wears boots with spurs. CBS is all-in on a country lineup, with Jason Aldean, Lady A, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Brooks & Dunn, King Calaway, and more.

New Year’s Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen

What to Watch: CNN

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it isAnderson and Andy are likely to continue with the CNN tradition of live television reporters being utterly wasted. And this time, they’ll be joined by Duran Duran, Earth, Wind and Fire, he poet Amanda Gorman, the pandemic-lebrity Leslie Jordan, and cutting away to Katy Perry in Las Vegas, as well as reports from celebrations around the country.

Dr. Dog’s Last Tour Ever

What to Watch:Nugs

When: Starts at 10:30 pm ET

It is what it isThe Philadelphia-based group is a great choice if you enjoy indie-folk. By coincidence, it’s also Dr. Dog’s last concert ever. Catchy pop hooks, a little psychedelia, it’s fun stuff. And if you’ve never heard of the band, there’s no better place to start than the end. There are many concerts on Nugs tonight, including Galactic or The String Cheese Incident.

Insane Clown Posse’s Greatest New Year’s Eve Show on Earth

What to Watch:Twitch

When: Starts at 8:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is ICP had to reschedule their Christmas show, so they’re going all-out for the Juggalos. “Without question this show’s gonna be an experience unlike any ICP show before it,” they say on their website, where you can also buy tickets to see the show in-person if you’re in Detroit and have $125. But that’s a promise you can except ICP to keep. Maybe they’ll finally reveal how magnets work.

Phish’s Dinner and a Movie

What to Watch:LivePhish and YouTube

When: Beginning at 8:30 pm EST

It is what it is While Phish isn’t doing its traditional in-person concert for New Year’s this year, the band will be streaming three sets for free. The dinner part of the show, will feature recipes “chosen by the band and feature Trey’s own recipe for Lemonade, a Whole Roasted Chicken with Lemon, a Lemon Pasta vegetarian entrée, and for dessert: Lemon Bars,” according to the band’s Instagram. They’ll be raising money for the band’s WaterWheel Foundation.

TikTok New Year’s Eve

What to Watch: TikTok

When: At 10:15 p.m. ET

It is what it isTonight’s app of the Year will livestream their celebrities, including Charlie Puth and Kali Uchs. Rico Nasty will also be performing. They’ll be joined by some TikToklebrities, like averagefashionblogger, scarlet_may.1, tracy.oj, cristiandennis, tyshonlawrence, and 8illy.

Paris Hilton’s Paris World (in Roblox)

What to Watch: Paris.mv

When: Starts at 11:15 p.m. ET

It is what it is Paris Hilton is part of the metaverse. That’s what everyone wants these days, right? Paris Hilton is in the metaverse Paris Hilton has entered the metaverse. If you ever wanted to explore digital replicas of her Beverly Hills estate and its $325,000 dog mansion, this is the New Year’s party for you. Hilton also offers DJ services for no charge. This is a welcome break from the exorbitant prices she charges for her in-person sessions. Paris Hilton is still in the metaverse, we repeat.