- Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks returns to the East River for 2025; this year’s show will launch from the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges at the Seaport District.
- Public viewing of the fireworks will be available in the area and NYC gave away 100,000 free tickets to prime viewing spots; there are also plenty of other places you can try to catch a glimpse.
- The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show will air live on NBC and Peacock starting at 8 p.m. ET Friday.
After a year on the Hudson, the iconic Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks spectacle is returning to the East River this year, with launches planned from the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges in the East River.
The 49th edition of the nation’s largest Independence Day celebration will fire more than 80,000 shells, 30 vibrant colors and awe-inspiring effects, as well as state-of-the-art projection mapping on the Brooklyn Bridge.
Billed as a “one-of-a-kind” show, you can see it in the city at designated areas in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Pier 16 and 17 at The Seaport.
Can’t attend in person? The streaming action kicks off Friday, July 4 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
This year’s festivities feature performances from a star-studded lineup of musical artists, including the Jonas Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, Keke Palmer, Eric Church, Ava Max and Trisha Yearwood.
The eye-catching pyrotechnics will be set to a musical score produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and James Poyser, accompanied by a live performance from “West Side Story” star and event host Ariana DeBose.
Inspired by the enduring spirit of America, the 25-minute musical score will celebrate themes of community, resiliency and shared connection, organizers say.
This year’s Fourth of July extravaganza will be held on Friday, July 4 and the show will air on NBC and simulcast live on Peacock beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The fireworks themselves are expected to start at around 9:25 p.m. ET.
You’ll also be able to watch it live in the player above at this time. An encore presentation will follow at 10 p.m. on NBC. A Spanish-language hour-long telecast will air on Telemundo at 9 p.m. ET.
The city gave away 100,000 free tickets to people (see map and details) but apart from the ticket-only area, everything is fair game.
There are a number of other public areas open to the public; a warning however, they are first-come-first serve. The watch locations are at:
- Broad Street at Water Street
- Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and the Brooklyn Bridge on-off ramps
- Montgomery Street at Madison Street
- The Murry Bergtraum Softball Field, which offers ADA viewing with access at Pike Slip and Cheery Street.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026.
