Times Square to Launch Grand Celebration for America’s 250th Birthday

The iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square will take on a patriotic theme in 2026, celebrating the United States’ 250th birthday. The event will feature a display of red, white, and blue lights as the ball descends at midnight, marking the beginning of a year filled with nationwide festivities. This year’s celebration will also include a second confetti drop, offering a preview of the extensive array of events planned to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Rosie Rios, chair of the bipartisan commission known as America250, expressed her excitement about the upcoming celebrations. She stated, “Whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that. It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.” Rios and her team collaborated with the Times Square Alliance and One Times Square to enhance this year’s festivities.

In a historic move, a second ball drop will occur on July 3, 2026, the eve of the nation’s birthday. Rios noted that this will be the first ball drop in Times Square outside of New Year’s Eve in 120 years. The original ball drop began in 1907, created by immigrant metalworker Jacob Starr. The current version, unveiled last year, is known as the Constellation Ball, measuring approximately 12 feet (3.7 meters) in diameter and weighing nearly 12,000 pounds (5,400 kilograms).

The New Year’s Eve ball drop has only been suspended during 1942 and 1943, when New York City implemented a “dimout” during World War II. Instead of the traditional celebration, attendees observed a moment of silence followed by chimes from the base of One Times Square.

Midnight on New Year’s Eve will also kick off the launch of America Gives, a national service initiative designed to encourage volunteerism throughout 2026. The organizers aim to achieve the largest collective volunteer hours in the country’s history. Following the New Year’s celebration, America250 will participate in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, featuring a float titled “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years,” showcasing three majestic bald eagles symbolizing the nation’s past, present, and future.

Rios emphasized the importance of community involvement in these celebrations. “We’re going from Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia, and everything in between,” she noted. This sentiment is echoed by former President Donald Trump, who has announced the “Freedom 250” initiative to coordinate additional events for the 250th anniversary.

The planned celebrations will include a diverse range of activities, from large fireworks displays to community potluck dinners, student competitions, and citizen oral histories. Rios believes that these events present a unique opportunity to unify a politically divided nation. “If we can find something for everyone… having those menus of options that people can pick and choose how they want to participate, that’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans,” she said.

As preparations for the 250th anniversary ramp up, the excitement surrounding the New Year’s Eve ball drop serves as a vibrant starting point for what promises to be an unforgettable year for the United States.