Macy’s July 4th Fireworks Return to West Side

It is often said that history repeats itself, and when it comes to the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show this year, that seems to be the case.

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In 2013, more than 40,000 fireworks lit up the sky over the Hudson River but for the following ten years, the display was over the East River. This year, it will be returning to the west side, and as it did in 2013, this year’s celebration falls on a Thursday.

The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show has been a tradition since 1976. This year’s display will feature thousands of shells and an array of effects from barges positioned along the Hudson River.

In 2013, Usher served as a “curator” for the spectacle, putting together the event’s soundtrack and performing on the televised broadcast. This year’s display will again be accompanied by a curated musical score presented alongside live performances.

The event will air on NBC but if you’d like to see it live from special viewing locations, Mayor Eric Adams announced that 10,000 free tickets will be available to the public on Wednesday, June 26 at 10 a.m. The tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and will let people view the fireworks from Pier 45 (at West 10th Street) or Pier 84 (between West 43rd and 44th streets).

There is a two-ticket limit, and reservations can only be made for one pier. More info can be found here.

For those who are unable to score a ticket, the event will be viewable all along the West Side Highway. The following entry points will be accessible to the public and managed by the NYPD:

• Christopher Street and Washington Street
• West 11th Street and Washington Street
• West 12th Street and Washington Street
• West 29th Street and 11th Avenue
• West 40th Street and 11th Avenue
• West 41st Street and 11th Avenue

As history repeats itself with the holiday landing on a Thursday and the fireworks display once again taking place on the west side, it’s likely that spectators will be able to enjoy the show from well north of 41st Street, as they did in 2013 in Riverside Park. That year, Upper West Siders gathered along the Greenway, facing south towards the Manhattan W 59th Street Transfer Station, to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.