When is the Times Square Ball Drop on July 4th?

The ball drops at midnight on July 4th, 2026 — Eastern Time. The countdown starts at 11:59 PM on July 3rd; the ball hits bottom at midnight, which is the start of July 4th. Party venues open July 3rd at 8 PM so guests can arrive, settle in, and be in position for the midnight drop.

Who is producing the July 4th ball drop in Times Square?

America250, the official U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, in partnership with One Times Square and the Times Square Alliance.

How many times will the ball drop on July 4th 2026?

Eight times. One for each U.S. time zone, starting at 10:00 AM Eastern on July 3rd (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands) and ending on the morning of July 4th (American Samoa). The main Eastern Time drop — the one anchored in Times Square — happens at midnight on July 4th.

Where are the best places to watch the ball drop on July 4th in New York City?

The ticketed party venues with guaranteed ball drop views are M Social Hotel Times Square (226 West 52nd Street) and Bowtie Bar at the Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel (714 Seventh Avenue), both bookable through July4th.com. Both are 21+, feature a premium open bar, and are capped at limited capacity — advance tickets are required.

Do I need tickets to watch the July 4th ball drop in Times Square?

The America250 Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show — the production anchored around the ball drops — is a broadcast event designed for global TV and streaming audiences, not a public street gathering. Unlike New Year's Eve, there is no organized public viewing area in Times Square where you can watch the ball drop from street level. The only guaranteed live, in-person view of the ball dropping is from surrounding venues with direct sightlines to One Times Square. Advance tickets are required to secure a spot at one of the viewing venues.

Times Square Ball Drop July 4 — Tickets & Parties

🇺🇸 Celebrate America's 250th Birthday with a live view of the Times Square Ball Drop — the historic midnight moment on July 4, 2026 hosted by America250, happening once in your lifetime.

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Why These Events?

Skip the street crowds and the hours of standing. These are ticketed venues positioned for a direct live view of the ball drop the moment it happens at midnight — you arrive, settle in, and watch history from exactly where you planned to be.

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Reserved Spots for a Night That Can't Be Replicated

From entry-level tickets starting at $100 to fully hosted premium experiences, every event on this page secures your spot before the night begins. Capacity is limited. Advance tickets are required.

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Once in a Generation — Literally

The America250 Times Square Ball Drop marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The last time anything like this happened was 1976. It won't happen again until 2076.

Advance tickets are on sale now for the America250 Times Square Ball Drop on July 4, 2026 at midnight bookable through July4th.com.

Reserve Your Spot — See Ball Drop Party Tickets 2 events with a live view · Tickets from $100 · Limited capacity

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