At a Glance
> At a Glance
> – Two ball drops on Jan. 1 to mark 250th anniversary of Declaration of Independence
> – Second drop starts at 12:04 a.m. EST with red-white-blue design
> – 2,000 lbs of confetti and a pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful”
> – Why it matters: New Yorkers and viewers worldwide will witness a historic, patriotic celebration unlike any other New Year’s Eve.
New Yorkers can expect a fireworks-filled night in Times Square that will feature two ball drops instead of the usual single drop. The extra drop is part of a celebration for the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The event, organized by the Times Square Alliance and America250, promises patriotic colors, confetti, and music.
A Double Celebration in Times Square
For the first time since 1999, the iconic ball will descend twice. The traditional drop will take place at midnight, while a second ball will fall at 12:04 a.m. EST. Both drops will be visible to millions of people in the streets and on television.
- Red-white-blue design
- 2,000 lbs confetti
- Pyro finale with Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful”
America250 and the Times Square Alliance
The Times Square Alliance, the group that coordinates the annual ball drop, partnered with America250, a nonpartisan body created by Congress in 2016 for the 250th anniversary. The collaboration aims to unite New Yorkers with people across the country in a shared patriotic moment.
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, stated:
> “Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment to celebrate our country.”
Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance, added:
> “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. 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.”
What to Expect on the Night
The second drop will feature a distinct design and special effects. Viewers can anticipate a 2,000-pound shower of red, white, and blue confetti, a pyro finale, and a musical tribute.
- Red-white-blue ball
- Confetti shower
- Pyro finale
- Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful”
| Drop | Time | Design | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Midnight | Classic green glass | Traditional ball drop |
| Second | 12:04 a.m. EST | Red-white-blue | Confetti & pyro, Ray Charles music |
Future Ball Drop
The decorated Times Square Ball will also drop again on July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation’s birthday. This marks the first time the ball will fall outside of New Year’s Eve.
Key Takeaways
- Two ball drops on Jan. 1 celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- The second drop starts at 12:04 a.m. EST and features patriotic confetti, pyro, and Ray Charles music.
- The ball will also drop on July 3, 2026, for the first time outside New Year’s Eve.
The night promises a unique blend of tradition and celebration, uniting New Yorkers and viewers across the country in a shared patriotic moment.
