Times Square’s iconic ball drop may be a New Year’s Eve tradition, but some occasions, like America’s 250th, call for a second drop.
The centerpiece of the annual Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration, the new and updated Constellation Ball, with 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED light pucks will be lit up and dropped eight times on July 3 for America’s 250th, marking the first time in history the Ball drops outside of New Year’s Eve, according to an America 250 news release.
“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,” the organization said.
On New Year’s Eve, after the ball was dropped, it was relit in the red, white and blue design of “America250″ and rose above illuminated “2026” numerals.
While the event itself will be broadcast live, there will not be a public event in the Times Square plazas, America250 previously confirmed to USA TODAY. The decision was made under a rule designed to “more effectively deploy police resources and control overtime costs.” NYC will be hosting events associated with the FIFA World Cup and the country’s 250th anniversary in June and July.
Here’s what to know about the ball drop and how to watch it.
The Fourth of July ball drop will follow a pattern similar to the New Year’s Eve event, with performances and a show preceding the ball drop. However, the difference this time will be that the Times Square Ball will drop not once, but eight times to mark midnight in every American time zone for the first time in history, according to a America250 news release.
The first patriotic ball drop is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. EDT on July 3 for Chamorro Time Zone, covering the American territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, while the last one will be at 6:45 a.m. ET on July 4 for American Samoa.
Ahead of the ball drop at midnight between July 3 and July 4, the Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show, hosted by comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan, and with performances by Mary J. Blige, Brad Paisley and NE-YO, will take place at One Times Square and will stream live.
The show, described as America250’s “new national initiative” calls on Americans “to add something new to their Independence Day celebration: giving back to the causes and communities they care about.”
The ball drops and the Giving 4th Show will stream live and free on America250.org and the America’s Block Party Mobile App on iOS and Android.
CNN’s dynamic duo Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will co-host “Independence Eve Live with Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250” which will feature a midnight ball drop honoring America’s 250.
The CNN special will air Thursday, July 3, from 8 p.m. EDT through 12:30 a.m. EDT on CNN, with the ball drop scheduled to air at midnight.
It will also be available for streaming subscribers through CNN.com and CNN’s mobile app.
Disney Entertainment Television will be airing a 24-hour multiplatform broadcast as part of the “Disney Celebrates America” campaign, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, kicking off Friday, July 3, at 10 p.m. EDT and continuing through Saturday, July 4.
“Disney Celebrates America” will be available to watch on ABC, National Geographic, ESPN, FX, Freeform and ABC News Live, and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
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NewsNation, which will present special live coverage throughout the day from coast to coast for America’s 250th on Saturday, July 4, will air the Times Square ball drop live on Friday, July 3, a network spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.
Fox News correspondent Nate Foy will kick off the network’s Fourth of July celebrations with live coverage of the Times Square ball drop at midnight on July 3, the network said in a news release.
The coverage, which is part of Fox News Media’s commemorative programming, airing from “iconic locations across the country before, during and after America 250 festivities,” will be available on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, Fox Nation, Fox News Digital, and other Fox platforms.
Contributing: Anthony Thompson, Amaris Encinas / USA TODAY
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
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