In 2026, Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will illuminate the New York City skyline with a breathtaking display launched from both the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District. This setup will offer miles of prime viewing for spectators across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, as the fireworks are visible from any location with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River.

The fireworks will reach heights of up to 1,000 feet, creating dramatic visuals that fall to the water’s edge, culminating in the signature “Macy’s Golden Mile” finale.

Timing and Schedule

• Showtime: The 49th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will begin at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park Access: The park closes at 3:30 p.m. and reopens at 6:30 p.m. exclusively for ticketed guests.

• Empire State Building: Special Fourth of July tickets are valid from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for elevated viewing.

For Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in New York City, the best seats and viewing spots offer unobstructed, elevated, or centrally located views of the East River and Brooklyn Bridge.

Seating and Viewing Locations

• Free Ticketed Areas: 100,000 free tickets are available for prime viewing at Brooklyn Bridge Park and designated sections at Pier 16 and Pier 17 in Manhattan’s Seaport District.Tickets are distributed online starting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Brooklyn Bridge Park: Up to four tickets per person.

  • Seaport (Pier 16/17): Up to two tickets per person.

• Early Access: The first 2,500 people to text “FIREWORKS” to Mayor Adams at 917-909-2288 get four free tickets to Brooklyn Bridge Park before the general release.

• ADA Accessibility: An ADA-accessible viewing area is available on the Manhattan side at Murry Bergtraum Field, accessible via Pike Street and Cherry Street.

• Other Public Viewing: The fireworks are visible from the FDR Drive and other vantage points throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens for those without tickets.

• VIP and Elevated Experience: The Empire State Building offers exclusive, ticketed viewing from its observation decks.

Locations and Street Closures

• Launch Site: Fireworks are launched from barges on the lower East River and from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

• Street Closures: In Manhattan, the area bounded by Grand Street (north), Catherine Street/Slip (south), South Street/FDR Drive (east), and East Broadway (west) will be closed at the discretion of the NYPD.

Broadcasting

• Television: The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks will be broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET.

• Live Performances: Before the fireworks, a star-studded lineup—including Tanner Adell, Luis Fonsi, The War And Treaty, and Lainey Wilson—will perform live. The fireworks are accompanied by a custom musical score produced by Grammy and Emmy Award winner Jason Howland.

This guide ensures you’ll be fully prepared to enjoy one of New York City’s most spectacular summer events.