Credit: Amanda Stevens Photography
The spectacular Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show returns to the East River this Friday for its 49th year. The annual Independence Day tradition rings in the nation’s birthday in bombastic style, with more than 80,000 shells launched from four barges surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge. While plenty of ticketed fireworks watch parties take place across the city, there are a few viewing areas along the Lower Manhattan waterfront that offer the best views and do not require a ticket or cover.
The Macy’s show will be visible from any area with unobstructed views of the sky above the lower part of the East River. Public viewing spots will be available along the elevated portion of the FDR Drive, from the Financial District to the Lower East Side.
These are the entry points to the FDR Drive viewing spots, to be managed by the NYPD:
- Broad Street at Water Street
- Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Brooklyn Bridge off/on ramps
- Montgomery Street at Madison Street
There will be ADA viewing available at the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field with access at Pike Slip and Cherry Street.
The fireworks show is set to start at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 4. This year’s display features 11 new effects—including crackling crown jellyfish, atomic rings, yellow and green sunbursts, strobing lemon cascades, comet fans, and more—in 30 different colors, according to Macy’s.
Providing a sonic backdrop to the festivities, live performers will include Ava Max, Eric Church, the Jonas Brothers, Keke Palmer, Lenny Kravitz, and Trisha Yearwood, with a score produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and James Poyser. Ariana DeBose will host the event, as 6sqft previously reported.
As crowds build, some viewing areas may close, with spectators redirected to nearby open access points.
The fireworks will not be visible from the following locations:
- Areas of the FDR in Midtown
- The Battery
- Battery Park City
- East River Park
- Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park
- Roosevelt Island
- Governors Island ( the island will be closed starting at 3 p.m.)
- Gantry Plaza State Park
For those lucky enough to have scored one of the city’s 100,000 free front-row tickets distributed on Monday, you can find more information about your designated viewing areas here.
Brooklyn Bridge Park and designated sections of Pier 16 and Pier 17 at the Seaport will only be open to those with a ticket distributed by the city.
Looking to celebrate in style? 6sqft has rounded up some of the best ticketed 4th of July celebrations across the city.
Prefer watching from home? The fireworks show will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock.
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