That is correct! This year's celebration in Times Square is making history with an unprecedented "double" appearance of the ball to kick off America250, the 250th anniversary of the United States.
While the ball only makes its physical descent once at midnight, there are two distinct celebratory moments involving the ball tonight, plus a second actual drop later in the year.
1. The New Year's Eve "Encore" (Tonight)
After the traditional ball drop at 12:00 AM, the celebration won't stop.
* The Moment: At approximately 12:04 AM, the ball will be relit in a special red, white, and blue design.
* The Spectacle: For the first time ever, there will be a post-midnight confetti release—2,000 pounds of patriotic-colored confetti—accompanied by pyrotechnics and Ray Charles’ version of "America the Beautiful."
* The Purpose: This serves as the official launch of the Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) year, which will feature events across the country throughout 2026.
2. The Second Actual Drop (July 3, 2026)
The ball will literally drop a second time in 2026 to mark the eve of Independence Day.
* The Date: July 3, 2026.
* Historical Significance: This will be the first time since the tradition began in 1907 that the ball has dropped on a day other than New Year's Eve.
Fun Fact: The "Constellation Ball"
The ball being used tonight is a brand-new iteration. It’s the largest one yet, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds. It features over 5,000 Waterford crystals, which is nearly double the amount used in previous years.
Would you like to see the full schedule of performances for tonight, or perhaps more details on the America250 celebrations planned for the coming year?
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