Overview
- On New Year’s Eve, the Times Square ball will glow red, white and blue with 2,000 pounds of confetti and a pyro finale, signaling the start of the semiquincentennial festivities.
- At midnight, organizers will launch America Gives, a national service initiative intended to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours recorded.
- America250 confirmed a second Times Square ball drop on July 3, 2026, which would be the first non–New Year’s Eve drop there in 120 years.
- The America250-themed July 3 ball design will be unveiled during the Dec. 31 ceremony, with the events produced in partnership with One Times Square and the Times Square Alliance.
- President Trump has announced a separate Freedom 250 effort to coordinate additional anniversary events alongside the commission’s plans.