At a Glance
- Times Square Ball will re-light at 12:04 a.m. on Jan 1 in flag colors for America’s 250th birthday.
- Post-midnight moment features a video, confetti, and fireworks to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
- The ball will drop again on July 3, 2026, marking the first drop outside New Year’s Eve.
- Why it matters: It adds a patriotic celebration to the iconic ball drop and marks the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Spectators flock to Times Square on New Year’s Eve for the familiar ball drop, but a surprise event at 12:04 a.m. on Jan 1 will add a patriotic flourish to the celebration.
A Surprise Second Ceremony
The Times Square Ball, also called the Centennial Ball, will be re-lit in the colors of the American flag at 12:04 a.m. on Jan 1. It will rise again above One Times Square but will not drop again immediately. This second ceremony follows the 12 p.m. drop and adds a patriotic layer to the night.
- “America Turns 250” video
- Red, white, and blue confetti
- Pyrotechnic display set to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
America250 and the 250-Year Celebration
America250, the organization designated by Congress to lead the commemoration of the Declaration of Independence, partnered with the Times Square Alliance and One Times Square to plan the event. Rosie Rios, chair of America250, said the celebration will inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment.
Rosie Rios stated:
> “America250 will kick off the Semiquincentennial year on New Year’s Eve in Times Square – the most watched celebration on the planet – signaling that the largest and most inspiring celebration and commemoration in our nation’s history is underway in 2026.”
Times Square Alliance representative confirmed:
> “It will not drop again immediately after.”
Rosie Rios added:
> “Our goal is to inspire all 350 million Americans to join in this moment to celebrate our country.”
| Event | Time | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Ball drop | 12:00 a.m. | Jan 1 |
| Re-light | 12:04 a.m. | Jan 1 |
| Ball drop | July 3, 2026 |
The first New Year’s celebration in Times Square in 1904 featured fireworks and dynamite, but a fireworks display was banned in 1906 for safety reasons. The illuminated time ball was later adopted as a safer replacement.
Key Takeaways
- The ball will re-light in flag colors at 12:04 a.m. on Jan 1.
- A second ball drop is scheduled for July 3, 2026.
- The event is part of America250’s effort to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
With the flag-colored re-light and a second drop scheduled for 2026, the Times Square Ball continues to evolve, turning a New Year’s tradition into a national celebration.
