The iconic New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square will feature an unprecedented twist as the ball drops twice in 2026. Traditionally, the Constellation Ball descends from the One Times Square building to mark the start of a new year. That will happen as normal this year, but at 12:04 a.m. EST, the ball will be relit.

Four minutes after the the ball hits the bottom to bring in the new year, it will be relit featuring a red, white, and blue design. During this moment, 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti will shower the crowd, accompanied by a pyro finale set to Ray Charles' rendition of America the Beautiful.

This additional event celebrates the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Times Square Alliance and America250, a nonpartisan body established by Congress, are organizing the event.

“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,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment to celebrate our country.”

The celebration will not end there. The decorated Times Square Ball will drop again on July 3, 2026, marking the eve of the nation's birthday. This will be the first time the ball drops outside of New Year's Eve.

The Constellation Ball, the largest ever, measures 12.5 feet across and weighs 12,350 pounds. It features 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED lighting, nearly doubling the number of crystals from previous years.

Ed Lambert