it New Year’s Eve Celebration Will look different.
Typically, every year, New Yorkers gather in Times Square on New Year’s Eve to watch the Constellation Ball fall from the spire. One Times Square building. This celebratory moment marks the beginning of the new year.
However, on January 1, New Yorkers may be surprised to see two balls drop instead of one.
In honor of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the country’s Declaration of Independence, the Times Square Alliance – a group that organizes the annual ball drop – decided it would be best to include a second ball drop on the night.
The Alliance is also working with America250, a non-partisan body that Congress established in 2016 for the upcoming anniversary, to put together the entire event.
According to America250The second ball drop will begin at approximately 12:04 AM EST. Unlike the first ball drop, this one will feature a red, white and blue design.
During the moment of celebration, New Yorkers will be covered in “2,000 pounds of red, white and blue confetti”. According to the press release, there will also be a pyrotechnic finale featuring Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
“Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join us in this moment of celebrating our country,” Rosie Rios, president of America250, said in a press release.
“Every year on New Year’s Eve in Times Square, we unite the crowd cheering in the streets with millions of people from across the country and the world to celebrate one of the most iconic moments together,” said Tom Harris, president of the Times Square Alliance. “It’s fitting that this moment will take place in partnership with America250 and be the first of a year’s worth of moments to celebrate 250 great years of our country.”
The decorated Times Square ball will also drop again on July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation’s birthday. It will be the first time in history that the ball will drop outside on New Year’s Eve.
