Why the 2026 NYE ball will drop again this year
After the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1, 2026, revelers ringing in the new year in Times Square got a second treat as red, white and blue confetti rained down to usher in America's 250th anniversary.
The red, white and blue confetti kicked off America's semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, which will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The celebration will continue into July, when Times Square will host a rare second ball drop.
Here is what to know.
Why will the New Year's Eve ball drop twice?
In addition to the New Year's ball drop, Times Square will also host a second ball drop later in the year.
On July 3, 2026, the new "Constellation Ball" will get lowered for a second time in honor of Independence Day.
America250, a nonpartisan organization, has been charged by Congress to lead the celebration of the 250th year.
Congress authorized America250, also known as the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, in 2016 to, "provide for the observance and commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and related events through local, State, national, and international activities planned, encouraged, developed, and coordinated by a national commission representative of appropriate public and private authorities and organizations."
What's new with the New Year's Eve ball this year?
This year's new ball is named the "Constellation Ball" and is the ninth ball since 1907 to be showcased at Times Square.
The ball features circular lights, a departure from the triangular light design of past balls, according to Jeffrey Straus, executive producer of Times Square New Year's Eve.
"We have 5,280 Waterford Crystal circles that are going to be sparkling stars in the sky here in Times Square," Straus said Wednesday on "Good Morning America." "That's why we call it the 'Constellation Ball.'"
The "Constellation Ball" is 12.5 feet in diameter, features handcrafted Waterford crystals and LED lights, and weighs 12,350 pounds, according to One Times Square, which designed the new ball.
Straus said that this year's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square included a record-setting nearly three tons of confetti.
Along with the special confetti drop in Times Square, the celebration featured a dynamic pyro display set to a rendition of "America the Beautiful" by the late Ray Charles.
