As the world prepares to welcome 2026, music lovers are in for a spectacular treat with an extraordinary lineup of performances that promise to make this New Year's Eve unforgettable.

New York City's iconic Times Square will once again be the epicenter of global celebrations, continuing a century-old tradition of ringing in the new year with world-class entertainment. The official festivities kick off at 6 p.m. ET, with the legendary ball drop at midnight serving as the centerpiece of an evening packed with musical brilliance from some of the most celebrated artists of our time.

Diana Ross, the two-time Grammy Award winner for Lifetime Achievement, will headline the Countdown Stage, delivering a mesmerizing medley of her timeless hits including 'I'm Coming Out' and 'Upside Down'. Scheduled to perform at 11:37 p.m. ET during 'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' on ABC, Ross brings decades of musical excellence that have earned her not just Grammy Awards, but also a Tony, multiple American Music Awards, a Golden Globe, and Kennedy Center Honors.

The evening's lineup reads like a who's who of contemporary music. Grammy-winning R&B artist Ciara will take the stage between midnight and 12:30 a.m. ET, showcasing her impressive musical journey that includes 21 Billboard Hot 100 chart entries, most notably her 2004 hit 'Goodies' which dominated the charts for seven weeks. Country music fans have multiple reasons to celebrate, with Little Big Town performing a hit medley at 9:35 p.m. ET and Maren Morris bringing her latest album 'Dreamsicle' to the stage at 10:33 p.m. ET.

Beyond Times Square, other venues are also preparing spectacular New Year's Eve experiences. CBS will host 'New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash,' featuring country music stars Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and CeCe Winans. Meanwhile, CNN's 'New Year's Eve Live' will showcase Swedish pop sensation Robyn, who will perform her iconic tracks 'Dancing on My Own' and 'Call Your Girlfriend', along with her new single 'Dopamine'.

International artists are also set to make their mark, with Australian singer-songwriter Tones And I scheduled to perform her global hit 'Dance Monkey' and her new collaboration with David Guetta and Teddy Swims, 'Gone Gone Gone'. Her performance, starting at 8:03 p.m. ET on the official Times Square livestream, will culminate in a poignant rendition of John Lennon's 'Imagine' just before the final countdown to 2026.

As the clock ticks toward midnight, millions around the world will join in celebration, united by music that transcends boundaries and creates moments of pure joy and hope. These performances remind us that no matter the challenges of the past year, we can always find connection, inspiration, and optimism in the universal language of music.