Payam Javan: As the United States welcomes 2026, New Year’s Eve celebrations across the country will mark the official launch of a yearlong commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The milestone will be introduced through large-scale public events designed to blend tradition, spectacle, and national symbolism.

In New York City, Times Square’s iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop will feature a distinctly patriotic theme. Organizers have unveiled a newly designed “Constellation Ball,” accompanied by red, white, and blue confetti and a coordinated pyrotechnic display set to the music of “America the Beautiful.”

Washington, D.C. will also serve as a focal point for the anniversary’s opening moments. The Washington Monument will be illuminated as part of a six-night light projection event on the National Mall, highlighting the beginning of nationwide commemorative activities.

Starting at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and continuing past midnight, projected imagery—including a symbolic 250-foot birthday candle—will transform the monument into a visual centerpiece. The display is intended to represent both reflection on the nation’s past and the formal start of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.