They're also planning a second ball drop July 3, the eve of the nation's birthday, “in the same beautiful style that Times Square knows how to do it," Rios said. It will mark the first time in 120 years there will be ball drop in Times Square that doesn't occur on New Year's Eve, she said. A New Year’s Eve ball was first dropped in Times Square in 1907. The only years no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly “dimout” during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square.

Source: The Times December 26, 2025 14:47 UTC