As the clock ticks down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, New York City will not only welcome 2026 but also kick off the celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. The iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square will shine in red, white, and blue to commemorate this significant event, which is expected to feature an array of nationwide celebrations, large and small.
Highlighting the ceremonies this year will be a second confetti drop, indicating just a taste of the myriad events planned to honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, emphasizes the ambition behind the upcoming celebrations, asserting, I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that. It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.
Plans also include a second ball drop on July 3, the eve of Independence Day, marking the first occurrence of a Times Square ball drop outside New Year’s Eve in 120 years.
The project, organized by America250, will facilitate community-centric initiatives, including the America Gives campaign, which aspires to make 2026 the year with the most volunteer hours ever. With this campaign, organizers hope to engage citizens across all demographics by offering various ways to celebrate.
The festivities will extend from coast to coast, including participation at the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float dedicated to the theme Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.
Rios insists these celebrations offer a unique opportunity to unite a politically divided country: If we can find something for everyone ... that’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.
The ball drop tradition began in 1907, initially crafted from iron and wood, and has since evolved into a monumental event celebrated worldwide.
Highlighting the ceremonies this year will be a second confetti drop, indicating just a taste of the myriad events planned to honor the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, emphasizes the ambition behind the upcoming celebrations, asserting, I’m telling you right now, whatever you’re imagining, it’s going to be much more than that. It’s going to be one for the ages, the most inspirational celebration this country and maybe the world has ever seen.
Plans also include a second ball drop on July 3, the eve of Independence Day, marking the first occurrence of a Times Square ball drop outside New Year’s Eve in 120 years.
The project, organized by America250, will facilitate community-centric initiatives, including the America Gives campaign, which aspires to make 2026 the year with the most volunteer hours ever. With this campaign, organizers hope to engage citizens across all demographics by offering various ways to celebrate.
The festivities will extend from coast to coast, including participation at the New Year’s Day Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, with a float dedicated to the theme Soaring Onward Together for 250 Years.
Rios insists these celebrations offer a unique opportunity to unite a politically divided country: If we can find something for everyone ... that’s how we’re going to get to engaging 350 million Americans.
The ball drop tradition began in 1907, initially crafted from iron and wood, and has since evolved into a monumental event celebrated worldwide.
