How to watch the 4th of July fireworks in NYC

With everything we've been through this year, a magnificent fireworks display celebrating our country and our wonderful city is like a balm to the weary soul.

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will happen on not one, but four nights to celebrate the Fourth of July, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The shows, which will be five minutes each, will take place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, June 29 - July 1,  across the five boroughs. The time and location of each show won't be released until the night of so as to avoid making crowds in any one place, the mayor announced. 

"It will be brief bursts, brief but mighty," he said about the shows. "This is not like what you're seeing with the illegal fireworks, you'll know this is a very professional, beautiful show."

Macy's says thousands of shells will be fired into the sky, up to 1,000 feet, per minute at each borough's selected locations.

"New York City is our hometown," said Susan Tercero, the executive producer Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. "Macy’s believes in giving back to the communities where we live and work, and this year, we are taking our Fireworks show on a trip across the city. In reimagining this year’s show, the idea of bringing elements to many parts of our hometown resonated with our team and partners in the City of New York."

The finale will take place on the Fourth of July, from 8 to 10pm, from the Empire State Building. You can tune into NBC to watch the show that will include tape from the previous nights' displays and will be headlined by John Legend. It'll also feature a salute to frontline workers as well as music by The Young People’s Chorus of NYC. 

Note: The new viewing schedule is taking into consideration social distancing guidelines. The purpose of spreading the fireworks out this year is to reach New Yorkers in their own neighborhoods and homes without attracting crowds, so please stay home and catch the fireworks at a safe distance from others.

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