After midnight strikes, revelers ringing in 2026 at Times Square will get a second treat as red, white and blue confetti rain down to usher in America's 250th anniversary.
The nonpartisan organization America250 is teaming up with One Times Square to kick off the semiquincentennial celebration in 2026, which will mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
"What better way to ring in 2026 with the iconic global countdown in Times Square," Rosie Rios, the chair of America250, said in an interview that aired on "Good Morning America" Friday.
Along with the special confetti, which will kick off at about 12:04 a.m. ET, the iconic Times Square ball will feature a special design and a finale will highlight a dynamic pyro display set to a rendition of “America the Beautiful” by the late Ray Charles.
"It's going to actually be the first time you're going to see this technology deployed in this way ever," Rios said. "So we're excited to be part of this."
In addition to the New Year's ball drop, Times Square will also host a second ball drop on July 3, 2026, in honor of Independence Day.
America250 is the nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to lead the celebration of the 250th year of the signing the Declaration of Independence.
In 2016, Congress authorized America250, also known as the United States Semiquincentennial Commission, "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."
