4th of July in NYC: Where to watch the fireworks, best events to attend, and street closures to know

July 4th is almost here! It is, of course, a time to remember the revolutionary Americans who fought to free us from the rule of a king nearly 250 years ago. It's also a day for taking Americana to the max—fireworks, hot dogs, parties and red-white-and-blue treats galore. 

New York City is the perfect place to celebrate given our own revolutionary history and our penchant for parties. The main event is the Macy's July 4th Fireworks, which will delight millions of onlookers around NYC and via television, but there are tons of other cool events, too. Here's everything you need to know about how to celebrate America's big day in NYC, where to see the fireworks and how to get around despite multiple street closures.

RECOMMENDED: The best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025

Where are the best places to watch the fireworks in New York City?

This massive Macy's July 4th Fireworks show begins at 9:25pm on Friday, July 4, 2025 and lasts for about 25 minutes. The show will launch from the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District.

You'll be able to see the fireworks from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River, Macy's says.

• Prime public viewing will be available along elevated portions of the FDR Drive with the following access points managed by NYPD:
  • Montgomery Street at Madison Street
  • Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Brooklyn Bridge off/on ramps
  • Broad Street at Water Street
  • ADA viewing will be available at the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field with access at Pike Slip and Cherry Street

Just a heads up that those viewing points will get very busy, and you'll want to show up early. As crowds build at these areas, some of these locations will be closed, and spectators will be redirected to additional open access points. 

As for the show, it's pretty spectacular with 80,000 shells launched and numerous effects in 30 colors and shapes. For the first time this year, the East and West towers of the Brooklyn Bridge will serve as a canvas for large-scale projection mapping.

For even more intel, here's our full guide to the fireworks. 

Other 4th of July events in NYC you should check out

Many of the best events this year have fireworks viewing as a centerpiece of the evening. There are excellent parties at Time Out Market, Edge, One World Observatory, Watermark Beach, Somewhere Nowhere, and more. While these parties will cost you some coin, if you've ever tried to elbow your way through the public viewing areas, you know it's worth the expense. 

If you'd rather spend the day at the beach, Coney Island is launching its own July 4th fireworks. Speaking of Coney Island, July 4 is also the date of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest—if you can stomach watching, that is.

Here's our full guide to the best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025.

Weather forecast for 4th of July in NYC

As of now, the weather looks (dare we say it?) perfect! AccuWeather is predicting a sunny day with a high temperature of 85 degrees. Don't forget the sunglasses, and sunscreen and plenty of water. DEP "Water on the Go" water-bottle-refill stations may be available in proximity to fireworks entry points at select public viewing locations, Macy's said. 

NYC street closures for the 4th of July

There are a LOT of street closures in Manhattan and Brooklyn to know about for the holiday, so if you're driving or riding in a taxi, be prepared. If you can take the train, that's a better bet. Subway service will be increased before and after the fireworks display, per Macy's. The following streets will be closed for the Macy’s 4th of July Annual Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4, per NYC DOT. 

Manhattan:

• Area bounded by Grand Street on the North; Catherine Street/Slip on the South; South Street/FDR Drive on the East; East Broadway on the West (All Inclusive)
• FDR Drive between Brooklyn Battery Underpass and Delancey Street (including exit/entrance ramps)
• Montgomery Street between FDR and Grand Street
• Allen Street between Canal Street and Division Street/Pike Street
• Pike Street between Division Street and Canal Street
• Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place between Pearl Street and South Street
• Frankfort Street between Gold Street and Pearl Street
• Dover Street between Pearl Street and South Street
• Peck Slip between Pearl Street and South Street
• Beekman Street between Pearl Street and South Street
• Fulton Street between Gold Street and Pearl Street
• John Street between Water Street and South Street
• Maiden Lane between Water Street and South Street
• Wall Street between Water Street and South Street
• Gouverneur Lane between Water Street and South Street
• Old Slip between Water Street and South Street
• Broad Street between Water Street and South Street
• Whitehall Street between Water Street and South Street
• State Street between Water Street/Whitehall Street and Battery Place
• West Street between Battery Place and West Thames Street
• Gold Street between Fulton Street and Frankfort Street
• Pearl Street between Fulton Street and St. James Place
• St. James Place between Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Oliver Street
• Water Street between State Street/Whitehall Street and Pearl Street
• Water Street between Beekman Street and Dover Street
• Front Street between Old Slip and John Street
• Front Street between Beekman Street and Dover Street
• Battery Place between State Street/Broadway and West Street
• South Street between Whitehall Street and Jackson Street
• Manhattan Bridge

Brooklyn:

• Brooklyn Bridge
• John Street between Jay Street and Adams Street
• Plymouth Street between Pearl Street and Main Street
• Water Street between Adams Street and Old Fulton Street
• Front Street between Jay Street and Old Fulton Street
• York Street between Jay Street and Front Street
• Tillary Street between Prince Street and Cadman Plaza West
• Joralemon Street between Furman Street and Adams Street
• Atlantic Avenue between Furman Street and Flatbush Avenue
• Degraw Street between Columbia Street and Van Brunt Street
• Summit Street between Van Brunt Street and Imlay Street
• Pioneer Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
• King Street between Van Brunt Street and Ferris Street
• Sullivan Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
• Wolcott Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
• Dikeman Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End/Ferris Street
• Coffey Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
• Van Dyke Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
• Beard Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
• Reed Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
• Jay Street between York Street and Dead End
• Pearl Street between York Street and John Street
• Adams Street between York Street and John Street
• Washington Street between York Street and Dead End/Plymouth Street
• Main Street between Front Street and Plymouth Street
• Old Fulton Street between Cadman Plaza West and Furman Street
• Furman Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
• Hicks Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
• Henry Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
• Cadman Plaza West between and Old Fulton Street and Joralemon Street
• Adams Street between Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard and Joralemon Street/Fulton Street
• Flatbush Avenue/Flatbush Avenue Extension between Manhattan Bridge and Atlantic Avenue
• Columbia Street between Atlantic Avenue and Degraw Street
• Van Brunt Street between Degraw Street and Dead End
• Imlay Street between Summit Street and Pioneer Street
• Conover Street between Pioneer Street and Dead End
• Ferris Street between King Street and Van Dyke Street