Things to do on a Sunday in New York

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

City Climb—which is the highest external building climb in the world on the Western Hemisphere's tallest observation deck, Edge—tethers brave thrillseekers to a secure trolly along the outside of the building and open, edged platforms and stairways. Two cables will keep you secure on a path that leads up 32 steps to “The Cliff,” an outlook 1,190 feet in the sky and to “The Stair,” which consists of 151 steps on a 45-degree incline. “The Apex” is where they can lean out and hang over the platform at 1,271 feet. Are your knees buckling yet? Here’s what it was like to climb it. It all finishes with a victory lap on Edge's outdoor viewing area on the 100th floor (and a celebratory medal for inaugural guests).

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 are now on 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.

Love The Beatles, Queen, Elton John, Dusty Springfield and other across-the-pond legends? This is the music night for you: On July 5, an all-star cast of performers from Broadway, television and more will take the stage at 54 Below to croon the iconic hits of the musicians who defined  the sound of the British Invasion and its lasting legacy.

With host Sabina Demidovich, the cheery (or is that cheerio?) song-filled evening will include powerhouse vocals from the likes of Marin Asnes, Eric Byers, Patrick Ryan, Sammy Daoud, Jennifer Duka, Hayley Feinstein, Kayla Jordan Jacobs, Nino Ruggeri and more.

Transport yourself to the heart of the mosh pit—figuratively, that is—at this new immersive exhibit all about rock 'n' roll. Titled "Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock Experience," this digital exhibition is hosted at ARTECHOUSE in Chelsea, known for its stunning visual and audio presentations. 

You'll get to explore the legacy of Rolling Stone magazine through more than 50 years of music and pop culture. Narrated by Kevin Bacon, "Amplified" features more than 1,000 photographs, 1,300 iconic magazine covers and a massive 270-degree digital canvas. Adult tickets start at $39, and the show is on view through August 31.  

The show will take you on a 50-minute journey featuring iconic visuals and, of course, incredible music.