Overview
- Organizers say the New Year’s Eve 2026 countdown will be the last Times Square lowering of the current Waterford Crystal ball.
- A second descent is scheduled around 12:04 a.m. to mark the U.S. semiquincentennial, featuring an America250 lighting design, red‑white‑blue confetti and a pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful,” according to America250.
- Per the official schedule, the ball is raised and illuminated at 6 p.m. ET, begins its 60‑second drop at 11:59 p.m. and reaches the bottom at midnight.
- Viewers can watch a free, commercial‑free webcast via TimesSquareNYC.org from 6 p.m. ET, while ABC, CNN and CBS air New Year’s specials.
- ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve is hosted by Ryan Seacrest with Rita Ora, with performances by Diana Ross, Maren Morris, Ciara, Little Big Town and LE SSERAFIM; America250 also says a July 4 Times Square ball moment is planned.