The end (of the year) is nigh.

The gigantic 2 sign has been brought out to Times Square, and soon, it will replace the number 1 in the 2011 sign. For now, it sits in the Times Square Visitor Center.

This is the little ritual that begins the big ritual, Tim Tompkins, Times Square Alliance President told DNA Info. Tompkins cherishes the year-ending moment in Times Square. It's literally he most-watched place on the planet and the most watched sign on the planet.

In addition to the sign preparation, one of the most amous orbs on the plane, the Times Square New Year's ball, has been prepped by Philips LEDs. This year, 32,256 Luxeon LEDs will light up the big ball, which will stay lit year-round because of the low energy use of the bulbs according to Inhabitat. The Times Square celebration begins at 4 p.m. according to the Time Square website.