Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball will drop twice in 2026
Photos by the Times Square Alliance
In 2026, Times Square’s New Year’s Eve ball will drop twice for the first time, with a second descent glowing in red, white, and blue in honor of America’s 250th birthday. After the traditional midnight countdown, the new “Constellation Ball” will be relit around 12:04 a.m. and then rise above the illuminated “2026” numerals. The celebration will feature 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti and a pyrotechnic show set to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.” The patriotic ball returns for a second time on the eve of Independence Day, July 3, marking the first time the ball will drop outside of New Year’s Eve.
America250 is the nonpartisan organization tasked by Congress with leading the anniversary celebrations.
“America250 will kick off the Semiquincentennial year on New Year’s Eve in Times Square — the most watched celebration on the planet — signaling that the largest and most inspiring celebration and commemoration in our nation’s history is underway in 2026,” Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, said.
“Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment to celebrate our country.”
The America-themed ball will debut alongside the new New Year’s Eve ball, the ninth iteration of the famed sphere, which replaced the previous version retired last January after 17 years. The new ball is the largest yet, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter, weighing 12,350 pounds, and featuring twice as many lights as its predecessor.
Notably, the old ball’s triangular crystals have been replaced with round crystals that more effectively refract light. Provided by Waterford, the crystals come in three sizes: 1.5 inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches in diameter. Each size features a unique design that reflects the ball’s theme of “eternal positivity,” as 6sqft previously reported.
Anticipation for the post-midnight moment will build throughout the evening with a series of America250 features, beginning at 6:04 p.m. with the unveiling of the America250 Ball design atop One Times Square during “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Every year in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, we unite the crowds cheering in the streets with the millions of people around the country and the world to celebrate one of the most iconic moments together as one,” Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance, said.
“It’s perfect that this moment will be in partnership with America250 and the very first moment of a year’s worth of moments to celebrate our country’s 250 great years.”
The second ball drop is just one of the events planned in New York City for the country’s semiquincentennial.
From July 3 through 8, the largest fleet of tall ships ever to sail into New York Harbor will arrive, accompanied by several other special events, including an air show over the five boroughs, food festivals, a massive Fourth of July fireworks display, the exhibition of a rare 18th-century copy of the Declaration of Independence, and more.
The event, called “Sail4th 250,” will also coincide with the city’s first-ever ticker-tape parade honoring post-9/11 veterans, which Mayor Eric Adams announced in May. Scheduled for July 6, 2026, the celebration will take place along the ‘Canyon of Heroes’ in Lower Manhattan, stretching from Bowling Green to City Hall.
Still looking for a fun way to spend New Year’s in NYC? Find a list of the best free and affordable options here.
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