New York City's Times Square ball to drop 8 times for July 4 celebration
The iconic Times Square ball in New York City will descend on a date other than New Year's Eve for the first time as part of a historic Independence Day celebration marking America's 250th birthday.
The celebration will feature eight ball drops marking midnight across every U.S. time zone and inhabited territory, beginning in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands and ending in American Samoa, according to an announcement by the organizer, America250.
The organizer said the rolling countdown is designed to unite Americans across the country during the nation's semiquincentennial celebration.
What to know
The eight ball drops are part of the inaugural Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show, a live special from One Times Square in New York City.
The event also launches Giving 4th, a nationwide initiative encouraging Americans to support charitable organizations and volunteer in their communities in honor of the country's 250th birthday.
The celebration begins with the first Times Square ball drop at 10 a.m. ET on July 3, marking midnight in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
The traditional 11:59 p.m. ET countdown to the ball drop at midnight in New York will serve as the centerpiece of the nationwide celebration before the countdown continues through the remaining U.S. time zones and territories.
The final ball drop is scheduled for 7 a.m. ET on July 4, marking midnight in American Samoa.
How to watch
Viewers can watch the historic Times Square ball drops during the Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show, which begins at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 3.
Hosted by Jim Gaffigan, the live special will stream on America250.org and feature performances by Mary J. Blige, Brad Paisley and NE-YO.
The celebration also marks another milestone for the redesigned Times Square ball, which debuted during the 2025-26 New Year's Eve celebration following renovations to One Times Square.
America250 Chair Rosie Rios said the event is intended to unite Americans across the country as they celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.
"This is more than a countdown. It's a moment that brings the entire country together, one time zone at a time,” she said in the announcement. "From Guam to New York to Alaska to American Samoa we are creating a shared experience where every American can see themselves in this celebration and be part of something bigger than any one city or moment."
