By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

For area residents and visitors who want to ring in 2026 a few hours early, the Town of Berlin is once again hosting its New Year’s Eve ball drop at 6 p.m. on Dec. 31.

On New Year’s Eve, Berlin will continue its tradition of dropping a disco ball in town to recognize the start of a new year. As is custom for the event, the ball drop will take place promptly at 6 p.m., rather than midnight, to give families with young children another way to celebrate the end of 2025 and the beginning of 2026.

Ivy Wells, Berlin’s economic and community development director, said 6 p.m. was chosen because when it’s 6 p.m. in Berlin, Maryland, it’s midnight in Berlin, Germany. The early-bird event is also a convenient way for parents to provide an exciting experience for their kids without the hassle of staying up past their bedtimes.

“[The event] has become a fun tradition for families with kids who can’t stay up too late,” Wells said.

She added that a disco ball is “the star of the show” and is used to mimic the iconic New York City ball drop. The sphere will be lowered across from the Atlantic Hotel.

Before Berlin rings in the new year at 6 p.m., attendees are invited to arrive around 5 p.m. Wells said there will be music from Radio Ocean City and free cowbells for the kids, while supplies last. Downtown restaurants will be open for dinner, with many hosting late-night celebrations after the lowering of the disco ball.

Oaked at the Globe, for instance, is hosting a New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The band Old State Line will perform. Tickets are available on the establishment’s website. Individuals can attend for $20, which includes entry and a champagne toast, or $30, which provides for entry, a champagne toast, and a lite fare buffet.

The Town of Berlin’s NYE ball drop is “a family-friendly way to ring in the New Year early, and it gets people downtown to celebrate together,” Wells said.

While the ball drop this year will again be held at 6 p.m., there was some discussion in October that for Dec. 31, 2026, the time could be adjusted to around 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. to encourage additional downtown patronage.

At an Oct. 27 meeting of the Berlin mayor and council, it was argued that the 6 p.m. ball drop draws many families who roll out as soon as it’s over. By 6:20 p.m., the town is empty. Moving the time slightly later would allow residents and visitors to arrive early, grab dinner at downtown restaurants, and then stay for the New Year’s Eve celebration.

The town will look into the possibility of having a later start time in the future.

This year, however, residents are encouraged to come out at 5 p.m. for music and enjoy the traditional NYE celebration with their friends and family at 6 p.m.