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Times Square holds first of 8 ball drops for Guam to mark America’s 250th birthday
Times Square marked America’s 250th birthday with the first of eight special ball drops, timed to midnight across U.S. time zones. FOX 5’s Jessica Formoso was there as the ball dropped for Guam, kicking off a day of celebrations in New York City. The ball will drop seven more times throughout the day and tomorrow, with the display lighting up for America 250. People can watch in person in Times Square or stream the celebration through America250.org.
NEW YORK CITY - The Times Square ball is set to drop eight times in New York City this July 4 weekend, marking midnight in every U.S. time zone.
America250 and One Times Square announced plans back in April for a nationwide Independence Day broadcast event that will feature multiple Times Square Ball drops across U.S. time zones, marking a first-of-its-kind expansion of the traditional New Year’s Eve-style countdown.
What time are the balls dropping in Times Square?
Timeline:
The "Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show," scheduled for July 3, will include eight separate ball drops timed to midnight in each American time zone, beginning in Guam and ending in American Samoa. Here's the full timeline:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 01: The One Times Square billboards and '2026' numerals display an American flag, as the ball displays "250" and fireworks explode and confetti falls on New Year’s Eve in Times Square on January 1, 2026 in New York City. …
- July 3 - 10 a.m. ET: Guam ball drop
- July 3 - 11:59 p.m. ET: Eastern Time ball drop
- July 4 - 1 a.m. ET: Central Time ball drop
- July 4 - 2 a.m. ET: Mountain Time ball drop
- July 4 - 3 a.m. ET: Pacific Time ball drop
- July 4 - 4 a.m. ET: Alaska time ball drop
- July 4 - 6 a.m. ET: Hawaii time ball drop
- July 4 - 7 a.m. ET: Samoa time ball drop
Organizers say the rolling sequence is designed to create a nearly 24-hour, coast-to-coast celebration tied to the country’s 250th anniversary. They describe the staggered countdown as a way to connect celebrations across different regions in real time.
What to know about tickets
In-person viewing in Times Square will not be open to the general public. Officials say the event is a limited, ticketed experience inside One Times Square.