Overview
- At approximately 12:04 a.m. EST on Jan. 1, organizers will relight the Times Square Ball in an America250 red, white and blue design, debut a new “America Turns 250” video, cue a pyrotechnic finale to Ray Charles’ “America the Beautiful,” and release 2,000 pounds of themed confetti.
- Monday’s rehearsal included a confetti test from the Planet Fitness stage, ahead of the midnight drop of about 3,000 pounds that will mix in more than 180,000 handwritten wishes collected via the Wishing Wall.
- The Constellation Ball, unveiled in 2025 as the ninth iteration, measures roughly 12 to 12.5 feet across, weighs about 12,000 to 12,350 pounds, and features approximately 5,280 Waterford crystals with LED light pucks.
- Public viewing corridors open at 3 p.m. with entry from Sixth or Eighth Avenue at designated cross streets, the event is free, bags are searched, many items are banned, and there are no portable restrooms inside the footprint.
- America250 and partners have announced a separate Times Square ball drop on July 3, 2026 to anchor semiquincentennial Fourth of July observances.