Happy New Year - 2026

by Chuck Barberini

“Just Thinking"

Although there are not many changes from December 31^st until January 1^st, the opportunities to turn the page and start anew looms large. New year’s resolutions, implementing a new set of goals and general optimism rule the day. The histories and traditions, the completion of the Christmas season, officially facing winter, all that it entails and the anticipation and excitement of the new year and all that it holds. Whether it is more of the same or new adventures, the custom of celebrating the arrival of the new year is anticipated and celebrated worldwide.

As the years tick by the way that we ring in the new year has evolved, thinking back to the days of our youth when ringing in the New Year meant gathering with family and friends, watching the clock tick down, or perhaps watching a taped delay on our black and white television of the count down for the Times Square ball drop. Then share a kiss or a hug and best wishes for a happy and successful new year.

As times moved forward many traditions stood the test of time; from party hats, noise makers, confetti, clinking glasses of champagne and the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

By the 1970s, the televised New Year’s Eve broadcasts began to take hold, the most famous was Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve which became a staple, bringing music performances and countdowns to millions of homes. These broadcasts added energy and entertainment, making New Year’s Eve a shared experience across the country.

By the 1990’s, as technology improved, so did the spectacle. High-definition cameras, elaborate stage setups, and star-studded lineups had become the norm. Networks competed for viewers with big-name performers, fireworks displays, and live coverage from multiple cities.

Today, New Year’s celebrations are global and interactive. Viewers can stream events online, join virtual parties, and engage on social media in real time. Broadcasts now feature augmented reality effects, drone shots, and countdowns from cities worldwide. The experience is no longer just passive, it’s participatory.

This year on ABC Ryan Seacrest’s New Year’s Eve on "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" was a larger-than-ever affair: a record-setting, eight-hour global celebration. Seacrest returned to the Times Square stage, his hosting home since 2005, for his 21st year. The show ran live on ABC from 8 p.m. ET to 4 a.m. ET, making it the longest-ever telecast in the event’s 54-year history, expanded by 90 minutes over previous years.

The first-ever New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square took place on December 31, 1907, marking the beginning of 1908. The original ball was a 5-foot diameter sphere, built of iron and wood, weighed about 700 pounds, and was lit by 100 incandescent light bulbs. This historic event was initiated by the New York Times, to replace fireworks (which were banned) with a safer, illuminated spectacle atop One Times Square. The ball has gone through many iterations; this year’s Constellation Ball was 25 stories high with 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED pucks. It was 12.5 feet in diameter and weighed 12,350 pounds.

Despite all the technological advances, the heart of the celebration remains the same: the countdown, the anticipation, and the hope for a fresh start.

As we welcome 2026, let’s appreciate how far we’ve come and remember that whether it’s on a black-and-white TV or a smartphone screen, the magic of New Year’s is timeless.

Let me know what you think.