The Times Square New Year's Eve ball is all set to make its 60-second descent down the 139-foot pole at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, to usher in 2026.
The centerpiece of the annual Times Square countdown celebration, the new and updated Constellation Ball, with 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED light pucks, is the ninth and largest version of the New Year’s Eve sphere, according to a One Times Square news release. The ball will be lit and sent up its 139-foot pole atop the One Times Square building when celebrations begin on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
At exactly 11:59 p.m. ET, the Mayor of New York City will push the crystal button for the 12,350-pound ball to make its 60-second descent down the pole to signal the start of the new year. But will it ascend and drop again minutes after midnight?
However, contrary to popular opinion, the ball will not ascend again on New Year's Eve. Instead, at 12:04 a.m., the ball will be relighted in the red, white and blue design of “America250,″ a nonpartisan commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary, and will rise above illuminated “2026” numerals.
Times Square, on its website, clarified that there will "not be two Ball Drops on New Year’s Eve" and "revelers will celebrate and welcome 2026 with the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop" at midnight.
