The iconic crystal ball atop One Times Square (Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images)
The Annual Times Square Tradition Gets A Patriotic Twist
Nearly one million people flock to Times Square in New York City every New Year’s Eve to watch the iconic ball drop at midnight. This year, when the ball rises again, it will be dazzling in red, white, and blue, marking the beginning of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations.
The New Year’s Eve tradition dates back to 1907. The first ball was built of iron and wood by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr. It weighed 700 pounds, was five feet in diameter, and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs.
The ball drop has occurred every year since, except for 1942 and 1943, when the city implemented a nightly “dimout” to protect against attacks during World War II.
The Constellation Ball, the ninth and largest version, was unveiled this year. It is more than double the size of the original version, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds, with 5,280 crystals and LED light pucks. According to the Times Square official website, the ball features:
“New modernized technology, with state-of-the-art lighting, motion, and control system, as well as a new signature sound and interactive capabilities. Its real-time audio system creates reactive and generative designs based on music or other audio input.”
A Second Ball Drop Will Occur On July 3rd
Celebrations are planned throughout 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776. The festivities are spearheaded by America250, a bipartisan effort commissioned by Congress in 2016 to organize the milestone anniversary.
The group is collaborating with the Times Square Alliance business district and the One Times Square building to plan a second ball drop event, modeled after New Year’s Eve, on July 3rd, the eve of the nation’s birthday. This will be the first time in 120 years that a ball drop will occur in Times Square outside of New Year’s Eve.
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, says the celebration will be “one for ages,” adding that it will be “the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.”
Who is performing at NYE in Times Square?
Each year, the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square feature a lineup of top musical artists from across genres. Additional performances are simulcast from satellite cities.
This year, the evening will feature a wide variety of performers, including Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Jordan Davis, Jessie Murph, Tucker Wetmore, and many more.
Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, the event will be broadcast live for audiences all over the U.S. to enjoy beginning at 8 pm Eastern. More information can be found here.
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