The best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025

A beloved New York City tradition since 1976, the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks are back for 2025 with a dazzling show on Friday, July 4. 

The show returns to the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River for 2025. Specifically, the show will launch from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District. 

Here's where to watch.

The iconic Macy’s 4th of July fireworks are back in Brooklyn this year, launching from the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River in the Seaport District. Looking for a place to catch the stunning display? The best seat in the house will be at Time Out Market New York. 

This year, join us for an unforgettable Independence Day at Time Out Market New York. Already primed with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, our fifth-floor rooftop will give you an up-close look at the spectacular fireworks display, alongside unlimited food, live music, and drinks to turn the party. Tickets include an open bar (on select items) plus an open buffet with food from all of our fifth-floor favorites, including Bark Barbecue, Fornino, The Rogue Panda and Tanoreen. Kick off the night with music by DJ Price Is Right, followed by special performances from Natasha Diggs and L3NI of Soul in The Horn and DJ Scratch. 

Tickets are priced at $300 and the event runs from 7 to 11pm. General admission tickets are $150 and give you rooftop access but no open bar or buffet. Tickets are guaranteed to sell out, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy a front-row view of the fireworks paired with some of the city's finest eats and drinks. Buy yours here.

Hold on to your guts—Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024 is upon us! During the competition—which is now more than 100 years old—Frankfurter-eating legends race the clock and chow down on as many Nathan’s Famous dogs and buns they can swallow in ten minutes.

The race of legends goes down on Independence Day (Friday, July 4), typically from 11am to 1pm. Watch the glorious event at Nathan’s Flagship restaurant (1310 Surf Ave.) on the corner of Stillwell Ave at Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Don’t bother with Orlando. Coney Island is its very own magical kingdom, setting off free, sensational fireworks every Friday night all summer long. Grab a frank and get yourself a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to celebrate the end of the work-week every week.

Friday Night Fireworks run from Friday, June 20 through Labor Day. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45pm and typically launch from the beach at West 12th Street, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks.

Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the western hemisphere, is throwing an exclusive 4th of July Celebration that’ll offer unparalleled views of the fireworks from 8–11pm. Tickets will give you private access to Edge’s indoor and outdoor viewing areas with its thrilling glass floor, angled glass walls and skyline steps. Plus, you’ll get access to an open bar and unlimited appetizers. A DJ will provide the soundtrack as you watch dazzling fireworks displays from New York City and New Jersey. Tickets start at $400/person.

Or, if you're really adventurous, you can opt for a sunset City Climb offer starting at $650. This ticket includes exclusive access to Edge’s Fourth of July celebration, along with the premium thrill of scaling the building just in time for sunset. This special City Climb experience begins at 7:30pm, followed by entry to the main event, with festivities continuing through the evening.

Get up close to all the fireworks action at Downtown Skyport’s Front Row Fireworks Party. Located at 6 East River Piers, this family-friendly event will feature live DJ performances and fun activities for all ages. Expect unobstructed waterfront views of the East River's dazzling display. 

Doors open at 7pm, and the event runs until 10:30pm after the fireworks end. Tickets start at $50, with food and drinks available for purchase.

Enjoy incredible views of the July 4th fireworks show over the Hudson River during this party at RoofTop at Exchange Place. Snap Insta-worthy moments while snacking on fare from a hot dog and burger cart. Wash it all down with an array of summer-ready cocktails.

You'll get a front-row seat to see the Macy's fireworks as well as Jersey City's fireworks, which are launched right next to the venue. 

The party kicks off at 4PM on Friday, July 4, with free admission until 7PM. General admission is $35, with premium seating and table reservations available for a more exclusive experience. Be sure to RSVP in advance on OpenTable or by phone or email with Tymeka Holmes at (551) 256-7823 or tymeka.holmes@concordhotels.com. 

Getting to watch the Fourth of July fireworks spark above the iconic New York skyline is special enough—now imagine getting to see them from 1,268 feet up. You'll get the chance to do just that at One World Observatory's sky-high Independence Day celebration, which grants ticketholders exclusive evening access to the highest indoor observation deck in New York City from 8pm to 11pm on Friday, July 4.

Along with the observatory's usual breathtaking 360-degree views, you'll get a front row seat to the fireworks bursting over the East River from 100 floors up. You can also commemorate the special evening with a souvenir photo.

This Independence Day, enjoy the fireworks from 70 stories above the city at the iconic Top of the Rock. On Friday, July 4 from 6pm to 11:45pm, enjoy access to all three levels of Top of the Rock, which will feature festive food and drinks, live DJ entertainment, and kid-friendly activities like coloring books and face painting. (Yes, kiddos are welcome!)

Included in your ticket is one beverage (cocktail, wine, beer, or non-alcoholic); a New York-style hot dog (vegetarian option available); ice cream with red, white and blue sprinkles; a warm sea salt-topped chocolate chip cookie; and, of course, some pretty spectacular views.

The Seaport is going to have spectacular views of the fireworks this year, and that's why the South Street Seaport Museum is hosting Red, White & Views on Friday, July 4, 2025. It's billed as a festive, backyard-style Independence Day celebration for all ages. 

Access to Pier 16 along the East River begins at 6:30pm. Registration is required, and early-bird tickets start at $75.

Somewhere Nowhere, the two-level indoor nightlife venue and open-air rooftop pool in midtown, will host a special edition of its newest event series Cenote Project in celebration of July 4. Curated by Somewhere Nowhere co-owner Nathan Leong’s Forest Döwn Under Productions, who will perform alongside Ambrxse, Milö and Saxxdoc (Live), the sunset party will take over the 38th floor lounge and 39th floor rooftop with fresh beats, BBQ summer bites, and firework viewings.

In addition to prime viewing, the venue will offer a complimentary open vodka bar for the first hour of festivities (from 4pm to 5pm) in addition to a menu of curated cocktails. Cheers to that. 

Celebrate Independence Day with some seriously stunning views of the iconic Macy's Fireworks show and the New York City skyline aboard a festive July 4th cruise. The Cornucopia Majesty, Lucille, and Cloud 9 Yachts will all be hitting the NYC waterways with live music, premium open bars, dinner buffets, and, of course, a front row spot for the best Fourth of July fireworks display in the city from the boats' top decks.

Each boat party differs in terms of offerings, pricings and docking locations, so be sure to check out July4th.com to compare and contrast each cruise and find out which patriotic voyage is the best one for you. While you're on the site, also check out rooftop party ideas if you prefer to stay on land. 

On Friday, July 4, the iconic 4th of July fireworks show returns to the Brooklyn Bridge and East River—and the Tin Building by Jean-Georges will offer front-row seats to the spectacle.

Starting at 6:30pm, guests can enjoy a curated, cocktail-style "Taste of the Tin" experience, featuring a selection of signature bites (including a selection of dim sum at House of the Red Pearl, steak frites and Gruyère cheeseburgers at T. Brasserie, specialty pizzas at The Frenchman’s Dough, seafood-forward favorites including classic lobster rolls, the bakery’s beloved cookies and more), a premium open bar (including non-alcoholic offerings), and an exclusive fireworks viewing area on the South Plaza patio.

New York City beaches are now open for swimming and sunbathing. A visit to one—if not all—of the best beaches NYC has to offer is needed when temperatures become hot and sticky.

Whether you’re planning weekend getaways, a camping trip or just looking for ways to cool off or with friends, these beaches in New York are a quick subway, ferry or bus trip away. If you have a car and want to venture further out, we’ve also included off-the-beaten-track sandy shores that are less than two hours away. 

Acting like a kid again is never a bad idea, and these amusement parks near NYC are the perfect places to get your adrenaline pumping.

Good ol’ Coney Island is right in your backyard with one of our fave Ferris wheels and the famous Cyclone wooden roller coaster, but it’s also worth venturing to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut for a fun day out.