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This July 4th weekend is going to be an extremely hot one. According to the National Weather Service, “dangerous to record-setting heat will expand across the eastern two-thirds” of the U.S., with temperatures reaching 100 degrees or higher in many places. And although it’ll be tempting to spend time outside with the grill, at a game or at the beach, you’ll really want to stay inside.
So what should you do in the great indoors? Watch TV! Hear us out.
There will be many 4th of July specials this weekend that you’ll want to catch—a different way to celebrate—because they will bring live performances, coverage of cool patriotic events and exciting sports moments.
There are also a slew of TV shows premiering or returning this week as well as movies streaming for the first time.
It may not be the 4th of July we all envisioned, but skipping the heat for good TV is always a good idea.
Here’s what you can watch this holiday weekend:
4th of July Specials
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on ABC and ESPN
Coverage of the women’s competition begins at 10:45am EST on ESPN+/ESPN App and 12:30pm for the men’s competition. FYI: the men’s world record is 76 hot dogs and buns, set by Joey Chestnut in 2021, while the women’s world record is 51 set by Miki Sudo in 2024—both who will be back to defend their titles.
Independence Eve Live With Anderson & Andy: Celebrating 250 on CNN
On July 3, Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will count down to America’s 250th birthday live from Times Square starting at 8pm. It will feature New York’s midnight ball drop and special guests, including celebrated American icons, cultural legends, and inspiring everyday heroes whose stories reflect the spirit, resilience, and diversity of the United States.
Fourth in America: Celebrating 250 on CNN
At 6pm EST on July 4, Anderson Cooper will anchor from Boston with Pamela Brown for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular. It will feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Chance the Rapper and Trombone Shorty, and include a massive fireworks and drone display.
CNN’s Dana Bash and Boris Sanchez will anchor coverage throughout primetime from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where the nation’s capital will host headline performers, speeches, and a dazzling fireworks show across the national monuments.
In New York, CNN’s Sara Sidner and Victor Blackwell will anchor from the top of the Empire State Building as the city plans a showstopping fireworks display across both the Hudson and East Rivers. CNN’s Elex Michaelson and Cari Champion will anchor the network’s coverage from San Diego starting at 11pm EST.
CNN will feature fireworks displays from Boston, Washington, and New York, Philadelphia, Nashville, San Diego, Houston, St. Louis, Seward, Alaska, and Kauai, Hawaii.
During the day on July 4, starting at noon, John Berman will go on a scavenger hunt exploring the revolutionary history of Boston; Erica Hill will report from New York City as a flotilla of tall ships from around the world sails into New York Harbor while other anchors feature their own segments from around the country.
You can also expect performances from Charlie Puth and Josh Groban from Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida; Kane Brown from Cadott, Wisconsin; Goo Goo Dolls from The Venetian Resort Las Vegas; Maren Morris from the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas; Lil Wayne, AJR, Kool & the Gang, and Chaka Khan from BottleRock in Napa Valley, California; and Steve Aoki from the Omnia Nightclub in Las Vegas.
The 50th Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show on NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock
Hosted by Terry Crews, hear performances by Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey and Blake Shelton from 8 to 10pm. on July 4, with a pause to watch the display. There will be more than 85,000 shells in 30 vibrant colors that will coincide with a laser show from the Brooklyn Bridge! The spectacular will be backed by a 27-minute musical score by composer Jason Howland with a vocal performance by The Voice season 29 winner Alexia Jayy. There will be a Spanish language simulcast airing on Telemundo hosted by Telemundo’s Carlos Adyan and Jessica Carrillo. (An encore presentation will air at 10pm EST/PT on NBC.)
Sail4th 250 on NBC, Telemundo, NBC News NOW, and Peacock
This live, six-hour presentation on July 4 will feature the entirety of the International Parade of Sail, including the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world, and showcase the allied and U.S. naval vessels participating in the International Naval Review and the International Aerial Review’s 100-plus aircraft, led by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. TODAY co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin lead English-language coverage, and Telemundo’s Carlos Calderón and Lourdes Stephen lead Spanish-language coverage.
A special edition of NBC Nightly News
Tom Llamas will anchor from Philadelphia on July 3 and from Washington D.C. near the Washington Monument on July 4, as part of NBC News’ coverage of America’s 250th anniversary.
A special edition of Meet the Press on NBC
The special on July 5 will feature conversations with presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, along with a behind-the-scenes look at the new exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution showcasing iconic artifacts that tell the story of America’s founding.
The Americas: A Wild 250th on NBC
This special episode on July 2 (9pm) celebrates the nation’s 250th birthday through iconic American species that have left an indelible mark on the country. Airing on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Declarations: Black Americans and the Revolutionary War on PBS
This special follows the stories of enslaved and freed Black Americans who fought to define democracy and their liberty through the Revolutionary War. Airing on July 1 at 9pm and again on July 3 at 3:30am on PBS. You can also stream it on Prime Video.
This Is America, Charlie Brown on Apple TV
Coming to Apple TV on July 3, Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang experience various episodes and aspects of American history and culture and witness many of the events that shaped the United States with episodes “The Birth of the Constitution,” “The Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk,” “The Great Inventors” and others.
Sports
U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN
Watch the final two rounds of the U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship on July 4, at 2pm EST and July 5, at 3pm. EST.
Star-Spangled Sunday on NBC Sports
On July 5, NBC will feature all 30 MLB teams in action across NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN—the first time a media company has presented all 15 MLB games nationally in a single day. Coverage will be highlighted by marquee divisional matchups, MVPs and All-Stars, and enhanced viewing options for fans.
Tour de France on NBCSN and Peacock
The 113th edition of the cycling event starts in Barcelona on July 3 and ends in Paris on July 26. It’ll be presented live starting on July 4 at 10am EST.
FIFA World Cup 2026
You can watch the matches on the official FIFA World Cup broadcast channels—Fox Sports (Fox and FS1), Telemundo and Universo. You can also watch live on FIFA+, the Telemundo app, Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Fubo and Sling. Each one has its own pricing and live streaming capabilities can come at a cost—upwards of $100 a month.
WNBA Games
July 3:
The Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty at 7pm EST on Peacock
The Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces at 10pm EST on Ion
July 4:
The Golden State Valkyries vs. the Atlanta Dream at 1pm on Paramount+
The Portland Fire vs. the Seattle Storm at 9pm on Fubo
July 5:
The Dallas Wings vs. The Toronto Tempo at 3pm on Fubo
The Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces on ESPN at 7pm EST.
Banana Ball
July 3:
The Indianapolis Clowns vs. the Loco Beach Coconuts at 7pm EST on LBC’s YouTube channel
The Firefighters vs. the Savannah Bananas at 7pm CST on the Bananas’ YouTube Channel and on truTV
The Party Animals vs. the Tailgaters at 7pm CST on the Tailgater’s YouTube Channel
July 4:
The Firefighters vs. the Savannah Bananas at 7pm CST on the Bananas’ YouTube channel and the Roku Sports Channel
The Party Animals vs. the Tailgaters at 7pm CST on the Tailgater’s YouTube Channel
The Indianapolis Clowns vs. the Loco Beach Coconuts at 7pm EST on LBC’s YouTube channel
Wimbledon on ESPN
Through July 12, catch the men's and women's singles and doubles, Mixed doubles and Junior events on ESPN or ABC, ESPN2, the ESPN App and Disney+.
TV Shows
Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness on HBO Max
It just premiered on June 26, with new episodes each week until August 7
“President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion...but then Larry David called.” Written and executive produced by Larry David (Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm), Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America was filmed in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Find out more here.
Elle on Prime Video
Premiered: July 1
“Elle follows Elle Woods in high school as we learn about the life experiences that shaped her into the iconic young woman we came to know and love in the first Legally Blonde film.” Read more about the plot and what to expect here.
X-Men 97 on Disney+
Premiered: July 1
“The show expands on the world of the beloved 1990s X-Men: The Animated Series. It follows the X-Men, a team of mutants who use their powers to protect a world that hates and fears them. Season 1 brought the classic team into a new era with bigger emotional stakes, new conflicts, and a dangerous future for mutantkind. Season 2 sends the X-Men across different eras as they struggle to find their way back home, while suspicious foes emerge and new strains of mutant intolerance continue to rise in the 1990s. Will they make it back in time?”
Silo (Season 3) on Apple TV
Premieres: July 3
“Silo Season 3 continues the saga of a dystopian society that finds 10,000 people living underground in mysterious circumstances without an origin story. They don’t know why they are here or who built the Silo. They only know they can’t leave.” Here’s more about season 3 of Silo.
Movies:
Enola Holmes 3 on Netflix
Premiered: July 1
“Adventure chases detective Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) to Malta, where personal and professional dreams collide on a case more tangled and treacherous than any she has faced before.” Netflix’s romantic mystery film, features Enola, the young sister of Sherlock Holmes, as she is caught up in another thrilling conspiracy, this time with a shotgun wedding (well, sort of).” Find out more here.
Ready or Not 2 on Hulu and Disney+
Premieres: July 2
“Moments after surviving an all-out attack from the Le Domas family, Grace (Samara Weaving) discovers she's reached the next level of the nightmarish game — and this time with her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) at her side. Grace has one chance to survive, keep her sister alive, and claim the High Seat of the Council that controls the world.”
Lee Cronin’s the Mummy on HBO Max
Premieres: July 3
“The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.”