At a Glance
- NYC’s new 2026 New Year’s Eve ball lights up in patriotic colors, marking America’s 250th birthday.
- The “Constellation Ball” is the ninth version, featuring over 5,000 Waterford crystals.
- The ball’s ascent at midnight was followed by confetti, fireworks, and a video from America250.
- Why it matters: It marks a historic celebration for the U.S. and showcases a new iconic symbol for the holiday season.
On New Year’s Eve, the iconic New York City ball took on a new look, rising in red, white, and blue as it welcomed 2026 and commemorated the United States’ 250th birthday.
A New Ball for a New Era
The “Constellation Ball” was unveiled as the ninth iteration of the famous New Year’s symbol. At midnight, the ball dropped, then rose again, glowing in patriotic hues to herald America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The design incorporates more than 5,000 Waterford crystals and is intended to serve as a year-round attraction.
Celebrations and Broadcasts
The release of the ball was accompanied by a second confetti drop, fireworks, and a video produced by America250, the bipartisan commission overseeing the anniversary. Viewers could also tune into the Coast to Coast Countdown to 2026 on the free CTV app, which began at 8 pm PT/11 pm ET on New Year’s Eve. The program featured a lineup of classic and contemporary acts:
- Foreigner
- Cheap Trick
- Styx
- Mac McAnally
- Kevin Cronin Band (former lead singer of REO Speedwagon)
- UB-40
- The Marshall Tucker Band
- 38 Special
- Bri Bagwell
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ball version | 9th |
| Crystals | 5,000+ |
| Colors | Red, white, blue |
Key Takeaways
- The new ball marks the U.S. 250th birthday with a patriotic display.
- It contains over 5,000 crystals and is the ninth version.
- The launch included fireworks, confetti, a video, and a coast-to-coast countdown show.
By Hannah E. Clearwater for News Of Austin
