Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in NYC 2024

26.06.2024 - 20:43 / cntraveler.com / Hudson River

There may be no city more closely associated with 4th of July than NYC, due in large part to the famed Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks event, which is the largest Independence Day celebration in the country. This year, the dazzling display in the sky will feature over 60,000 shells in more than 30 colors, as well as live performances from Tanner Adell, Luis Fonsi, The War And Treaty, and Lainey Wilson.

Also new for this season is a return to the west side of the city for the firework barges. “This year’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display will launch an inspiring spectacle of patriotic color, light and sound from the Hudson River for the first time in more than a decade,” said executive producer Will Coss in a statement. The location change means some riverside New Jersey residents will be treated to firework designs like cross rings, strobing comets, and waterfalls (but no such luck for Brooklyn this year).

One of the highlights of the celebration last year was the use of a drone display for the first time ever. As for what Macy’s Studios and their partner Pyro Spectaculars by Souza have in store for this season? They’re most excited to launch the new silver cascading burst, a never-before-seen firework that features a center kaleidoscope and alternating red and blue colors. Coss is mum on more of the particulars, but you should expect the unexpected: “Our team has been hard at work developing new ways to surprise and delight our fans,” Coss said.

Read on for the best places to catch the brilliant display, from 360-degree rooftop terraces, to river cruises in the center of the action.

This year, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will be launched from barges on the Hudson River, roughly between 14th Street and 34th street.

The two-hour live broadcast on NBC and Peacock will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 4th, with fireworks set to launch around 9:25 p.m.

For the first time since 2013, the fireworks will be launched from the Hudson River, which means the east side of Manhattan and Brooklyn will not have great views of the display.

While the official viewing platform locations have not yet been announced, information on their exact whereabouts and how to access them will be posted on the Macy’s website when available. Good news: If you can snag a spot at one, entrance is totally free.

New York is home to many a skyscraper, but not all are created equal when it comes to fireworks viewing. The observation decks positioned on the west side of Manhattan or at the tip of the island will have the best vantage points for the show. And, of course, the well-situated are taking full advantage of their location by throwing parties. The Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, is hosting a bash