Only a few hundred people – mostly first responders spaced apart by barricades – gained access to Times Square on New Year’s Eve to say goodbye until 2020.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and first lady Chirlane McCray were at the quiet celebration to start the traditional ball fall at midnight.
In the run-up to the new year, a star-studded show featuring Jennifer Lopez, Cyndi Lauper and others was televised for viewers at home.
The event normally attracts thousands of tourists, but this all-but-empty case has caught the attention of several Twitter users this year.
“It’s so surreal to watch New Year’s Rockin ‘Eve and see Times Square empty,” a user wrote.
Another person on Twitter made fun of the “sad” setup.
‘The NYE celebration in Times Square was sad. People in cow cages wear Planet Fitness hats and drop the ball to the slowest version you’ve ever heard of Imagine, and DeBlasio dances super uncomfortably. Yikes NYC, ” did he tweet.
A third user was also not impressed with the show.
‘This should be the most pathetic New Year’s celebration ever seen in Times Square. How depressing! ” the person wrote.