Key Takeaways:
- Thousands of people gathered in Times Square to celebrate the start of 2026 with the iconic ball drop
- The event featured performances, including Tones and I singing John Lennon’s "Imagine"
- The ball drop tradition dates back to 1904, with the first ball dropped in 1907
- The event marked the launch of America Gives, a national service initiative aimed at making 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country
- The Times Square Ball will drop again on July 3, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
Introduction to the Ball Drop Celebration
The city of New York welcomed the new year with a grand celebration in Times Square, where thousands of people braved the cold temperatures to witness the iconic ball drop at midnight. The event, which has been a tradition since 1904, featured a 12,350-pound ball drop, accompanied by performances, including Tones and I singing John Lennon’s "Imagine". The crowd was filled with revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces, who had waited for hours to witness the momentous occasion. Visitors came from all over the world, including Florida, Mexico, and South Korea, to be a part of this iconic event.
Security Measures in Place
The New York Police Department (NYPD) had planned additional anti-terrorism measures for the event, including "mobile screening teams", although it was not in response to a specific threat, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. The security measures were put in place to ensure the safety of the attendees and to prevent any potential threats. The NYPD worked closely with other law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and secure environment for the celebration.
History of the Ball Drop Tradition
The ball drop tradition dates back to 1904, with the first ball dropped in 1907. The original ball was built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr and was made of iron and wood, featuring 100 25-watt light bulbs. The ball weighed 700 pounds and had a diameter of 5 feet. Over the years, the ball has undergone several changes, with the current ball weighing 12,350 pounds and featuring a more modern design. The only years when the ball drop did not occur were 1942 and 1943, during World War II, when the city instituted a nightly "dimout" to protect itself from attacks.
Launch of America Gives and Celebration of the New Year
The stroke of midnight marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250, aimed at making 2026 the largest year of volunteer hours ever aggregated in the country. The event also featured the release of over one ton of biodegradable confetti, which included personal wishes submitted by people around the world. The confetti was a symbol of hope and unity, as people from all over the world came together to celebrate the start of a new year. After the ball dropped, it rose again, sparkling in red, white, and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
Post-Midnight Celebrations and the New Mayor of New York City
At approximately 12:04 a.m. EST, the Times Square Ball was relit in a red, white, and blue America250 design and rose above the illuminated "2026" numerals. The moment included a new video "America Turns 250", a first-ever post-midnight release of 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti, and a dynamic pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ rendition of "America the Beautiful". Just after midnight, Zohran Mamdani became the mayor of New York City, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath.
Upcoming Events and Celebrations
The Times Square Ball will drop again on July 3, 2026, marking the first time in history the Ball drops outside of New Year’s Eve. The Fourth of July countdown moment will anchor America250’s nationwide Independence Day celebrations and reinforce New York City’s central role in the nation’s Semiquincentennial. This will mark the first time in 120 years that there will be a ball drop in Times Square that doesn’t occur on New Year’s Eve. America250 is the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the celebration of the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The organization aims to provide a platform for local, state, national, and international activities to commemorate this historic occasion.
