Newsman: New York City known as the capitol of the world welcomes the New Year 2026 expressing hope for the love ,peace and prosperity of life leaving all the past behind. New York City celebrated the year 2026 with the traditional ‘Big apple’ Ball Drop on December 31, 2025, in Times Square. Thousands gathered from around the world amid freezing weather for the iconic event, following the installation of the “2026” numerals earlier in December.
Over one ton of confetti was also released at midnight. The biodegradable confetti included personal wishes submitted by people around the world.
Revelers wearing tall celebratory hats and light-up necklaces had waited for hours to see the 12,350-pound ball drop. The festivities also included with performance John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
This year, the stroke of midnight also marked the official launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250.
After the ball dropped, it rose again, sparkling in red, white and blue, to mark the country’s upcoming 250th birthday.
At approximately 12:04 a.m. EST, the Times Square Ball was relit in a red, white, and blue America250 design and rose above the illuminated “2026” numerals. The moment included a new video “America Turns 250,” a first-ever post-midnight release of 2,000 pounds of red, white, and blue confetti, and a dynamic pyro finale set to Ray Charles’ rendition of “America the Beautiful.”
Also just after midnight and a few miles away, Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City after taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan.
Mamdani, a self-described Democratic socialist, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath.
