TheNew Year is almostupon us and plans to welcome 2026 have begun to roll out across the board with celebrations planned in most major cities, including New York, Chicago and Nashville.
The iconic Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, which serves as the "centerpiece" of the annual countdown celebration on Dec. 31 was unveiled last month on Nov. 24. The Constellation Ball, which is the ninth iteration of the ball since its debut in 1907, is the largest one yet, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds. With 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED light pucks, the Ball features nearly double the number of crystals as the previous Ball, according to a One Times Square news release.
Organizers said the Ball also "features new modernized technology, with state-of-the-art lighting, motion, and control system, as well as a new signature sound and interactive capabilities."
With the Ball in place, here's an overview of major New Year's Eve celebrations across the country and which stars will join this year's lineup.
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Which stars will perform at 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2026'?
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve's" broadcast for 2026 will be led byRyan Seacrestand Rita Ora live from New York's Times Square starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Chance the Rapper will lead the first-ever "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" live Central Time Zone countdown from Chicago, whileformer NFL star Rob Gronkowskiand dancerJulianne Houghwill host together in Las Vegas.
Diana Ross will be headlining the Times Square special. Other stars set to perform across the show's multi-city broadcast event include:
4 Non Blondes
50 Cent
6lack
AJR
BigXthaPlug
Chance the Rapper
Charlie Puth
Chappell Roan
Ciara
Demi Lovato
DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, T.I. & Wyclef Jean
Filmore
Goo Goo Dolls
Jess Glynne
Jessie Murph
Jordan Davis
KPop Demon Hunters: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X - EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI
Leon Thomas
LE SSERAFIM
Lil Jon
Little Big Town
Madison Beer
Maren Morris
Mariah Carey
New Kids on the Block
OneRepublic
Pitbull
Post Malone
Rick Springfield
Russell Dickerson
The All-American Rejects
Tucker Wetmore
Zara Larsson
Which stars will perform at CBS's New Year's Eve Nashville's Big Bash?
Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman will headline the five-hour special from Nashville's Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, with special guest CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, CBS said. Performers for the event include:
Dierks Bentley
Brooks & Dunn
Rascal Flatts
Riley Green
Marcus King
Megan Moroney
Zach Top
Keith Urban
Gretchen Wilson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Dwight Yoakam
Dusty Slay, Cassie DiLaura, Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison will also make special guest appearances.
Who will perform at CNN's 'New Year's Eve Live'?
While CNN is yet to announce its plans for New Year's Eve,Anderson CooperandAndy Cohenwill likelyreturn to Times Square as co-hosts ofCNN's annual "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen."
Performers for the event have also not yet been announced.
How to watch New Year's Eve celebrations
"Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026": The show will air live on ABC starting 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 31. It will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.
CBS' "Nashville's Big Bash" will air on the CBS Television Network from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT and 10:30 to 1:30 a.m. ET/PT on New Year's Eve and will also be available to stream on Paramount+.
CNN's "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen:" If past trends are followed, the special may broadcast live from New York City's Times Square at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31, on CNN's TV channel. It will stream live on Max for subscribers and on CNN.com. Paid TV subscribers can also watch on CNN-connected TV and mobile apps.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:New Year's Eve performers and lineup for NYE parties on ABC, CBS
