Times Square Patriotic Ball Drop Launches America’s 250th Celebrations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The iconic Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop will take on a patriotic theme this year, launching celebrations for the United States’ upcoming 250th birthday. The redesigned ball and a new nationwide initiative will mark the beginning of America’s semiquincentennial commemorations. A second ball drop is also planned for July 3, 2026.
Times Square’s Patriotic Ball Drop to Launch U.S. 250th Anniversary Celebrations: Quick Looks
- 2026 Times Square ball drop to feature red, white, and blue colors
- Marks the start of months-long celebrations for America’s 250th birthday
- America250 commission organizing national events and community programs
- Second ball drop planned for July 3, 2026—first non–New Year’s drop in Times Square history
- First Times Square ball drop occurred in 1907; this year’s will be the largest ever
- “America Gives” volunteer initiative to launch at midnight
- America250 will feature a float in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day
- Celebrations to span all U.S. states and territories from Alaska to Guam
- Trump announces parallel “Freedom 250” initiative to expand celebrations
- Goal: create unity and engagement across 350 million Americans
Deep Look: Patriotic Times Square Ball Drop to Launch U.S. Semiquincentennial Celebrations
NEW YORK CITY — The stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 2025 will usher in more than just a new year. As the Times Square ball drops in red, white, and blue, it will officially launch America’s 250th birthday celebrations, a historic milestone that will stretch across the nation throughout 2026.
The special redesign of the iconic New Year’s Eve ball is part of the America250 initiative, a bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2016 to organize the semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
“Whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that,” said Rosie Rios, chair of America250. “This will be one for the ages.”
From Times Square to Nationwide Celebrations
Working in partnership with the Times Square Alliance and One Times Square, Rios and her team helped design this year’s patriotic ball drop. The celebration includes a second confetti drop and will set the tone for a year filled with both large-scale national celebrations and grassroots events.
In a historic move, a second Times Square ball drop is planned for July 3, 2026, the eve of Independence Day. It will mark the first time in 120 years that a ball drop occurs in Times Square on a date other than December 31.
A Legacy of Light and Tradition
The first Times Square ball drop took place in 1907, created by Jacob Starr, an immigrant metalworker. The original ball was 5 feet in diameter, weighed 700 pounds, and used 100 25-watt bulbs. Since then, the event has grown into a global tradition.
The current version, known as the Constellation Ball, was unveiled in 2024. It measures 12 feet in diameter and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds, making it the largest in history.
The ball drop was only canceled twice—in 1942 and 1943—due to World War II dimout regulations, when crowds instead observed a moment of silence.
Launch of National Volunteer Campaign
At midnight, America250 will also debut America Gives, a new national service initiative designed to encourage Americans to volunteer throughout 2026. Organizers aim to make it the largest year of volunteer hours ever recorded in the United States.
On New Year’s Day, America250 will participate in the Pasadena Rose Parade with a float titled “Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.” The float will feature three massive bald eagles, symbolizing America’s past, present, and future.
“We want to ring in the new year from sea to shining sea,” Rios said. “From Guam to Alaska, from Fairbanks to Philadelphia — this must be grassroots and community-driven.”
National Unity Through Diverse Celebrations
The America250 initiative will include everything from fireworks displays and statewide potlucks to student competitions and oral history projects. These efforts aim to encourage civic participation and unify Americans across political, cultural, and geographic lines.
In parallel, President Donald Trump announced a complementary campaign called “Freedom 250,” intended to support additional public events and commemorations leading up to Independence Day 2026.
Rios said the abundance of activities is intentional, offering many ways for people to engage.
“If we can find something for everyone, something they can pick and choose to be a part of,” she said, “that’s how we get to engaging 350 million Americans.”
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