Times Square numbers installed ahead of New Year’s Eve ball drop
Numbers have been installed atop historic One Times Square in preparation for the city’s iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop and celebration.
The “ball” that rings in 2026 will fall twice.
Days before New York City’s iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square, America250 has announced “Midnight Moments” to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Immediately after the ball makes its 60-second descent to signal the start of the new year, it will be re-lit with an America250 design over the illuminated digits “2026” and dropped again at approximately 12:04 a.m. ET.
In addition to the second ball drop, there will be a new video titled “America Turns 250,” a red, white and blue confetti drop, and a “dynamic pyro finale set” set to the song “America the Beautiful” by Ray Charles.
America 250 will be building immediate “anticipation” with a series of evening features, including unveiling the design of the America 250 ball atop One Times Square during “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which begins at 6:04 p.m. ET.
The moment also marks the beginning of a partnership that includes the Fourth of July ball drop in Times Square, according to America 250, the nonpartisan group responsible for organizing the celebration.
“America 250 will kick off its semi-quincentenary on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, the most watched celebration on earth, marking the year that the largest and most moving celebration and commemoration in our nation’s history is underway in 2026,” America 250 President Rosie Rios said in a statement. “Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join us in this moment and celebrate our country.”
How to watch the ball drop in Times Square
Major commercial networks such as ABC and CBS will broadcast the New Year’s Eve celebrations live on their respective channels and streaming services, but viewers will also have the option to watch the live webcast on the official Times Square website starting December 31 at 6pm ET.
“Enjoy commercial-free webcast coverage of the festivities leading up to the midnight ball drop, including behind-the-scenes access, behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with performers and other celebrities,” the agency said on its website.
A livestream with open captioning and American Sign Language interpretation is also available on YouTube.
Another ball drop is scheduled for July 3rd
According to America250, the Constellation Ball will fall again on Friday, July 3rd. This will be the first time in history that the ball will fall not only on New Year’s Eve.
“The Independence Day Countdown moment will anchor America’s 250 national Independence Day celebrations and strengthen New York City’s central role in the nation’s semi-quincentenary,” the organization said.
Contributor: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
