At a Glance
- Times Square will host a second ball drop on Jan. 1 for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- The second drop starts at 12:04 a.m. EST and features a red, white, and blue design.
- New Yorkers will be showered with 2,000 pounds of patriotic confetti and a pyro finale to Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful”.
- Why it matters: It marks a historic celebration and adds a patriotic twist to the iconic New Year’s Eve tradition.
New York City’s annual Times Square ball-drop is getting a patriotic double dose this year as the city celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
A Second Ball for a Historic Milestone
The Times Square Alliance, which organizes the yearly event, teamed up with America250, the nonpartisan body set up by Congress in 2016, to add a second ball drop to the night.
Unlike the original drop that begins at midnight, the second ball will descend at about 12:04 a.m. EST, featuring a red, white, and blue design that echoes the national flag.
- 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti will shower the city.
- A pyro finale will accompany Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful”.
- The second drop celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Quotes from the Organizers
The organizers expressed enthusiasm about the historic partnership.
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 said:
> “Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment to celebrate our country,”
Tom Harris, President of the Times Square Alliance added:
> “Every year in Times Square on New Year’s Eve we unite the crowds cheering in the streets with the millions of people around the country and the world to celebrate one of the most iconic moments together as one. It’s perfect that this moment will be in partnership with America250 and the very first moment of a year’s worth of moments to celebrate our country’s 250 great years.”
A Ball Drop Beyond New Year’s Eve
The decorated Times Square Ball will also drop again on July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation’s birthday, marking the first time the Ball has ever dropped outside of New Year’s Eve.
| Ball | Time (EST) | Design | Confetti | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 12:00 a.m. | Classic green | None | Traditional anthem |
| Second | 12:04 a.m. | Red, white, blue | 2,000 lbs | Ray Charles “America the Beautiful” |
This addition underscores the city’s role in national celebrations.
Key Takeaways
- Two ball drops will take place on Jan. 1, with the second featuring patriotic elements.
- The event celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
- The Times Square Ball will also drop on July 3, 2026, for the nation’s birthday.
With two dazzling drops, New Yorkers will experience a unique blend of tradition and patriotic celebration as the nation turns a quarter-century old.
