The annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square will feature more red, white and blue this year.
Keeping with tradition, the Constellation Ball will drop from the One Times Square building, signifying in the start of a new year.
But on Jan. 1, 2026, spectators watching the New Year’s Eve festivities might be surprised to find the festivities will go past the midnight countdown for the first time.
After the countdown, the Times Square Ball will be lit up in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Times Square Alliance, the nonprofit that hosts the annual New Year’s Eve celebration, collaborated with America250, the nonpartisan body that Congress established in 2016 for the upcoming anniversary, to plan the moment.
Here’s what to know.
Will the Times Square Ball drop twice on New Year’s Eve?
Not quite. According to the official Times Square website, there will not be two ball drops this New Year’s Eve. Instead, the Times Square Ball will be lit twice on New Year’s Eve.
What will the second New Year’s Eve celebration entail?
The festivities will continue after everyone yells “Happy New Year!”
According to America250, the Times Square ball will be relit in a red, white, and blue America250 design and will rise above with illuminated “2026” numerals.
Then, 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti will fall, while onlookers enjoy a pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
When will the Times Square Ball be re-lit?
According to America250, the second celebration will happen at around 12:04 a.m. ET.
Will the Times Square Ball drop again in 2026?
The decorated Times Square Ball is set to make another appearance on July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation’s birthday, according to America250.
After a quick countdown, the ball will drop and this will mark the first time in history that the ball drops outside of New Year’s Eve.
