Times Square to ring in 2026 with second ball drop for U.S.’s 250th

Revelers in Times Square won’t just be counting down to 2026—they’ll also get a second spectacular treat to mark a historic milestone.

Following the iconic midnight ball drop, red, white, and blue confetti will rain down to usher in America’s semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Caliber.Az reports via U.S. media.

The nonpartisan organization America250 is partnering with One Times Square for the dual celebration, kicking off the semiquincentennial on December 31, 2025.

“What better way to ring in 2026 with the iconic global countdown in Times Square,” said Rosie Rios, chair of America250, in an earlier interview with Good Morning America.

The 2026 New Year’s Eve ball, named the “Constellation Ball,” is the ninth in Times Square’s history since 1907. Measuring 12.5 feet in diameter, it features 5,280 handcrafted Waterford crystals and LED lights, and weighs 12,350 pounds, according to One Times Square. The ball’s design promises a dazzling display, culminating in a dynamic pyrotechnic finale set to a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by the late Ray Charles.

“It’s going to actually be the first time you’re going to see this technology deployed in this way ever,” Rios added. “So we’re excited to be part of this.”

For the first time, the Constellation Ball will be lowered twice in a single year. Beyond the New Year’s celebration, it will return on July 3, 2026, in honour of Independence Day, extending the commemoration of America’s 250th year.

Congress authorised America250 in 2016, tasking the organisation—also known as the United States Semiquincentennial Commission—with overseeing events marking the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. The commission works to coordinate activities locally, nationally, and internationally to celebrate the historic milestone.

The 2026 ball drop promises to be not just a countdown to a new year, but a historic moment blending tradition, innovation, and patriotic celebration.

By Aghakazim Guliyev