Times Square hosted America250’s special July 3, 2026 countdown to Independence Day.
The event adapted the famous Times Square Ball tradition for the semiquincentennial. Instead of occurring on New Year’s Eve, the special ball drop counted down to midnight leading into July 4, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The ball was lowered repeatedly to mark midnight across U.S. time zones. This format expanded the event beyond New York City and connected the countdown with communities and viewers around the country. One Times Square also hosted public festivities around the anniversary.
The event was a special one-off edition rather than a replacement for the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Times Square is the landmark and public space associated with the ball drop; the nearby One Times Square building is the traditional home of the illuminated ball and countdown display.