Broadcast Benefit Show Seeks to Raise Funds for Diverse Charitable Causes Nationwide and Establish America’s Independence Day as an Annual Time of Giving

One Times Square to Host Complimentary, Ticketed Public Events: “America’s Block Party in the Sky” on July 4th and “Day of Reflection” on July 5th

New York, NY — April 20, 2026 — America250 and One Times Square today announced a historic Giving 4th Broadcast Benefit Show and sea to shining sea countdown to Independence Day, transforming New York City’s iconic Times Square Ball Drop into a nationwide celebration that will unite Americans across time zones on July 3, 2026.

For the first time in history, the Times Square Ball will drop not once, but eight times — marking midnight in every American time zone, each with its own special Ball design, beginning in Guam and culminating in American Samoa — creating a nearly 24-hour celebration as the nation counts down to its 250th birthday.

The celebration begins at 10:00 a.m. EDT with the first Ball Drop for the Chamorro Time Zone covering the American territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, followed by a rolling series of special moments and musical performances across Puerto Rico and the continental United States, building to a signature New York City countdown at 11:59 p.m. EDT, before continuing west through Central Time, Mountain Time, Pacific Time, Alaska Time, and Hawaii-Aleutian Time, with the final ball drop at 7:00 a.m. EDT for American Samoa.

“This is more than a countdown. It’s a moment that brings the entire country together, one time zone at a time,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250. “From Guam to New York to Alaska to American Samoa we are creating a shared experience where every American can see themselves in this celebration and be part of something bigger than any one city or moment.”

A National Moment, Anchored Atop One Times Square

One Times Square will serve as the live broadcast stage for the nation to watch and celebrate. Much like New Year’s Eve, millions will be able to watch in real time via broadcast and livestream platforms as the Ball Drops mark midnight across America. But unlike any celebration before it, this moment will travel — following the strike of midnight across the United States and its territories to create a rolling wave of celebration that builds throughout the night.

The 11:59 p.m. EDT Ball Drop in Times Square will serve as the centerpiece — a high-energy, cultural moment designed for a global broadcast, signaling the official arrival of July 4th for the Eastern Time Zone and setting the stage for celebrations nationwide.

From Countdown to Participation in Giving 4th

The July 3 countdown will serve as the opening act for America’s Block Party on July 4, a nationwide celebration spanning major cities and local communities across the country. The America’s Block Party events will be much more than a celebration – they will ignite a new national movement to give back. All July 4 activations will support Giving 4th, a nationwide initiative designed to make July 4, 2026, the largest day of charitable giving in American history. “Charities receive one-third of their revenue at the end of the year,” said Rios. “What if we move the needle from the end of the year — when most people give — to the middle of the year? What better way to think about the 250th than to create a moment — and a legacy — that will become a movement for every Fourth of July.”

Giving 4th will bring together performers, nonprofits, corporations, and communities across the country to drive charitable donations, turning the moment of celebrating our nation’s 250th into an enduring movement of impact. It builds on America250’s broader commitment to service, including efforts to make 2026 the largest year of volunteer engagement ever recorded.

The July 3 broadcast from One Times Square will build into a July 4 show from Los Angeles, creating a continuous, coast-to-coast celebration and call to give.

July 4th: America’s Block Party in the Sky

Following the July 3 Broadcast Benefit Show and as part of Giving 4th, One Times Square will host complimentary, ticketed public events on July 4 and July 5. On July 4, America’s Block Party in the Sky atop One Times Square will bring the once-in-a-generation Independence Day to the 19th floor Times Square Skywalk. The event will honor the traditions, flavors, and rituals that define summer in America from an elevated perspective on a 360-degree wraparound viewing deck, offering a unique river-to-river vantage point of the Crossroads of the World, Manhattan street grid, and city skyline.

July 5: America’s Day of Reflection

On July 5, New Yorkers and visitors to the City can read the Declaration of Independence transcribed on a glass wall of the Times Square Skywalk, reflect on its meaning, and capture a one-of-a-kind photo moment with the founding document’s words set against the Times Square streetscapes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to write their own message of giving and reflection on a piece of confetti that will be released in Times Square during this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

Prior to opening to the general public, both events will be made available to America’s Heroes, including first responders, hospital workers, military service members, and veterans. Additional details and ticket access will be shared and made available in the lead up to the event over the coming weeks and months.

America250 Drives Momentum from Sea to Shining Sea

America250 is entering the Semiquincentennial year with strong momentum built leading up to July 4. America250 has achieved the following:

• Received thousands of student entries for America’s Field Trip and America’s Startup.
• Expanded stops on the Our American Story tour to preserve stories from Americans across the country to include new stops with founding sponsor Walmart.
• Built the Congressional America250 Caucus to nearly 400 members, making it the largest bipartisan bicameral caucus in U.S. history.

About America250

America250 is the official, national nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is spearheaded by the congressionally-appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its sole-supporting nonprofit organization, America250.org, Inc., together known as America250. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to participate in its values-based programming, including sharing their stories and pursuing their hopes and their dreams for the future of this country. Leading up to July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. Learn more at www.America250.org.

About One Times Square

One Times Square has served as the focal point for the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration since 1907 and continues to play a central role in the world’s New Year’s Eve traditions. The building marks time for the world and is now open to the public year-round to share its history through ticketed experiences and events such as the July 3-5th activities. For more information, visit onetimessquare.com.