Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Times Square Ball Drop: Waterford Crystal Masterpiece
The Times Square ball drop is a big celebration that happens every New Year's Eve.
This year, the ball is extra special because it's made of lots of shiny Waterford crystals and is very big.
It weighs as much as a big truck and has lots of lights that can change colors.
People can watch it live on the internet.
The ball drop started a long time ago in 1907, and this year, there will be two ball drops because America is celebrating its 250th birthday.
The ball will light up in red, white, and blue for the Independence Day celebration.
The Times Square ball drop features a 12,350-pound Waterford crystal ball with 5,280 crystals and LED lights.
The event will be live-streamed on the official Times Square website.
The ball drop tradition began in 1907 with a 700-pound iron and wood ball.
This year, there will be two ball drops: one on New Year's Eve and another on July 4th for America's 250th birthday.
The ball will be lit in red, white, and blue for the Independence Day celebration.
- Who
- Thousands of spectators and performers, including Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Jordan Davis, Jessie Murph, and Tucker Wetmore
- What
- The annual Times Square ball drop featuring a Waterford crystal ball
- When
- January 1, 2025, at midnight, and July 4, 2025, for America's 250th birthday
- Where
- Times Square, New York City
- Why
- To celebrate New Year's Eve and America's 250th birthday
- Event Date
- January 1, 2025
- Ball Weight
- 12,350 pounds
- Ball Diameter
- 12.5 feet
- Number of Crystals
- 5,280
- Live Stream Link
- https://www.timessquarenyc.org/
- First Ball Drop
- 1907
- First Ball Weight
- 700 pounds
- First Ball Diameter
- 5 feet
