The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special is the premier holiday spectacle, and for good reason.
For the past five decades, the nation’s largest Independence Day extravaganza has pulled out all the stops to entertain viewers — both in-person and at home. Now in its 49th year, the showcase is back to celebrate America’s big day with an array of jaw-dropping fireworks, colorful arrangements and epic musical performances.
This year, the New York institution will feature «more than 80,000 shells,» a statement says, which is 20,000 more than last year. Viewers at home should also expect «30 vibrant colors and awe-inspiring effects, including state-of-the-art projection mapping on the Brooklyn Bridge.»
Yes, the event is back at the iconic Brooklyn Bridge after taking place on the Hudson River in 2024. The show will celebrate themes of community, resiliency and shared connection.
Read on for details on how to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special from anywhere.
What time does the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special start?
The 2-hour special will air live on Friday, July 4, at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) on NBC. An encore presentation will air at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Ariana DeBose will host and perform live during the special. Also featured throughout the two-hour event will be performances by Keke Palmer, Eric Church, Ava Max, Jonas Brothers, Trisha Yearwood and Lenny Kravitz. To top it off, Ahmir «Questlove» Thompson and James Poyser have crafted a 25-minute musical score to play during the fireworks display.
Stream the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special on Peacock
For those looking for a viewing alternative to NBC, the event will simultaneously stream live on Peacock.
Watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special on a live TV streaming service
If you’ve ditched cable, you can still catch this year’s event with a subscription to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo or Sling. Take note that NBC is available only in select cities on Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange subscriptions.
How to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special using a VPN
If you’re traveling abroad and want to keep up with your favorite shows while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins.
VPNs are legal in many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.
If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions, ensuring you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial.
