New York City rang in 2026 with a spectacular Times Square ball drop, unveiling the largest New Year’s Eve ball in the event’s history. The new Constellation Ball measures 12.5 feet across and weighs over 12,000 pounds, with 5,280 circular Waterford crystal panels and thousands of LED lights. It symbolizes 'interconnectedness, wholeness, and the cyclical nature of tradition,' said Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, which owns One Times Square. The ball was raised in November and slowly descended as the clock hit 11:59 pm on New Year’s Eve, as crowds in Midtown Manhattan and millions worldwide watched the countdown. Cheers and confetti celebrated the start of 2026. This tradition began in 1907 after fireworks were banned. The original ball was a simple iron-and-wood structure designed by metalworker Jacob Starr, inspired by nautical time balls for sailors. Thousands braved cold and wind to watch the event live. Visitor Soyeon Kim from South Korea praised the festive atmosphere: “Everywhere is freedom. It's so nice, the decorations, the colors, the lights.” New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the celebration is the city’s biggest annual event, with heavy security and street closures turning Midtown into a pedestrian zone. Political significance marked the night as Mayor Eric Adams pressed the button to start the countdown, officially ending his term. Zohran Mamdani was sworn in later as New York City’s new mayor.