America is turning 250 — and Macy’s is going all out to celebrate.
NYC’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show will feature over 85,000 fireworks this year, viewable along both the Hudson and East Rivers — plus a laser light show from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Macy’s fourth of july fireworks: What to know
- When: July 4, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: NYC, along both the Hudson and East Rivers
- Channel: NBC
- Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)
If you’re not planning to catch the pyrotechnic spectacular in-person, read on for everything you need to know to stream it from home — for free, at that.
What time are the 2026 Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks?
The Macy’s Fourth of July special airs on NBC on July 4, 2026, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EST.
How to stream the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to catch the show.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching for free — its five-day free trial includes NBC. When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and get access to over 90 live channels.
Additionally, this year’s fireworks show will also be streaming in real-time on Peacock. And if you sign up through Prime Video, you can get a seven-day free trial.
Who is performing before the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks?
In addition to the stars and stripes, the Fourth of July bonanza will also feature several stars of the Hollywood kind. Terry Crews is hosting this year’s pre-fireworks broadcast, which will feature performances from Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Salt-N-Pepa, Shaboozey and Bebe Rexha.
How to watch the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks in NYC
Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a now-closed lottery giving away 100,000 free tickets for East River viewing areas in Brooklyn Bridge Park and Manhattan’s Seaport. Non-ticketed public viewing areas for the East River show will also be open along the FDR Drive, with Macy’s to release details on its website.
The annual bonanza takes a 75-person crew up to 12 days to prepare, and this year’s is set to be one of the most expansive yet; it’s rare for the show to take place on both the Hudson and East River at the same time. For more IRL Fourth of July fun, check out the Post’s full guide.
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