A new chapter in New York City’s Times Square celebrations will unfold on December 31, 2025, when the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop will feature patriotic themes in honor of America’s upcoming 250th birthday. For the first time in 120 years, a second ball drop will occur on July 3, 2026, the eve of Independence Day. This significant celebration will kick off a series of nationwide events marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The New Year’s Eve event will see the famous ball sparkle in red, white, and blue, symbolizing the nation’s pride. According to Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, the bipartisan commission responsible for organizing the semiquincentennial anniversary, this year’s festivities will offer an early glimpse of the extensive celebrations planned across the country. “I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” she stated, emphasizing the ambitious scope of the events.
Rios and her team collaborated with the Times Square Alliance and One Times Square to design this year’s ceremonies. The New Year’s Eve event will feature a second confetti drop, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. The July 3 ball drop is expected to be executed “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it,” Rios added.
The tradition of the New Year’s Eve ball drop began in 1907, and over the years, it has become a hallmark of the holiday. The original ball, constructed by metalworker Jacob Starr, weighed 700 pounds and was made of iron and wood. Today, the current Constellation Ball, unveiled last year, is the ninth version and measures approximately 12 feet in diameter, weighing nearly 12,000 pounds.
Historically, the only years without a ball drop were 1942 and 1943 during World War II. At that time, New Yorkers observed a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square, as the city instituted a nightly “dimout” to prevent potential attacks.
Beyond the glitzy celebrations, the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve will also mark the launch of “America Gives,” a national service initiative aimed at encouraging volunteerism. Organizers aspire to make 2026 the largest year for volunteer hours recorded in the United States.
The following day, America250 plans to participate in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float themed “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” This float will showcase three life-sized bald eagles, symbolizing the nation’s past, present, and future. Rios expressed the desire to celebrate from coast to coast, stating, “What better way to think about it than going from New York to California?”
The initiative is supported by President Donald Trump, who announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the anniversary. Rios highlighted the diverse range of planned celebrations, which include fireworks displays, potluck dinners, student contests, and personal oral histories. She believes these events offer a unique opportunity to unite the nation, saying, “If we can find something for everyone… having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate.”
With a focus on community engagement, the celebrations aim to resonate across the entire country, from Guam to Alaska. As the nation prepares for this historic milestone, the upcoming events promise to be not only a reflection of America’s rich history but also a celebration of its collective future.