In NYC, the celebration for New Year’s Eve will continue — even with rising COVID-19 cases.

The omicron variant of COVID-19 has led to canceled flights and travel restrictions, but it hasn’t halted the beloved Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop — the show will go on as planned.

As New York City welcomes a new year, challenges from the past year, like omicron, linger. COVID-19 cases keep climbing in the Big Apple and are breaking records statewide. Nonetheless, the city is set to gather thousands of partygoers in Times Square to say farewell to 2021 and welcome 2022.

Initially, the city envisioned a grand event for fully vaccinated attendees — past years have seen over one million people join the festivities. Now, only 15,000 vaccinated and masked guests will be permitted to witness the ball drop.

Guests aged five and older must provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination recognized by the FDA or WHO to gain entry. Those who cannot be vaccinated due to a disability must present proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to the event and are also required to wear a mask.

If you plan to visit Times Square, be prepared for a wait, as entry won’t begin until 3 p.m.. This is a significant change from previous years when revelers would start gathering in the early morning hours to secure a spot.

With the omicron variant surging across the U.S. and increasing positive cases putting pressure on hospitals, many major cities have scaled back or canceled their New Year's Eve celebrations. Atlanta's beloved Peach Drop has been called off again due to climbing COVID-19 numbers in the city. Meanwhile, Seattle is proceeding with its New Year's Eve event at the Space Needle, though they have advised against large gatherings.

Outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio has faced pressure to cancel the New York City event but has held firm against those calls.

"Our goal is to demonstrate progress and show the world that New York City is pushing through this challenge," de Blasio stated on the "Today" show on Dec. 30. "It's crucial not to surrender in these difficult times." Incoming mayor Eric Adams will take office just after midnight in Times Square.

There are worries that a large-scale event, even if held outdoors, might exacerbate the COVID-19 crisis in the city. Although 72% of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, a staggering 41,000 new positive cases were reported on Dec. 30, according to a New York Times tracker.