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How to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in New York City

While a number of cities are canceling Fourth of July fireworks this year because of staff and supply shortages, among other reasons, New York City will still celebrate the holiday with a fiery show.

Starting at around 8 p.m., the 46th annual Macy’s Fourth of July celebration will feature a lineup of performers before a fireworks display around 9:25 p.m. that will light up the night sky from five barges along the East River.

This year’s show is going to be “bigger than ever before,” according to Macy’s.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the fireworks.

Where can I watch the fireworks in person?

There will be official viewing locations along both sides of the East River in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

Locations will close at they fill up, and watchers will be redirected to locations along Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive.

Manhattan

East 42nd Street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive

East 34th Street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive: accessible to those with disabilities.

East 23rd Street and Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive

Entrances for these locations will be at security checkpoints along First Avenue.

Queens

Gantry Plaza State Park

Brooklyn

Newtown Barge Park

Transmitter Park

Marsha P. Johnson State Park

Last year’s Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show over the East River from Bushwick Inlet Park in Brooklyn.Credit…Anna Watts for The New York Times

Which places are not recommended for in-person viewing?

Event organizers said several locations would not be ideal for watching the fireworks. Those include five spots in Brooklyn — Bushwick Inlet Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Brooklyn Grand Ferry Park and Domino Park — along with Hunters Point South Park in Queens and Roosevelt Island.

How can I watch at home?

The entire event will be televised live on NBC and on NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock.

Who’s performing?

The lineup of performers on Monday evening includes the rapper Pitbull and the singers Carly Pearce and Brett Eldredge, as well as performances by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. They will be followed by an orchestral score during the fireworks, conducted by Ray Chew.

The show will be viewable only on TV or on Peacock.

What happens if it rains?

The fireworks will take place rain or shine.

Where else can I see fireworks?

The Coney Island Fourth of July Fireworks is a free event that will be held on the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m.

The Seaport Beach Feast in Lower Manhattan is free and will feature food trucks and music from Friday until 8 p.m. Monday.

If you can’t decide whether to watch the Macy’s or Coney Island fireworks, you can see both, 100 floors above the city, at the Edge, with tickets starting at $250 per person.

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