4th of July in NYC: everything to know about events, fireworks and street closures

Time Out

02-07-2025

July 4th is almost here! It is, of course, a time to remember the revolutionary Americans who fought to free us from the rule of a king nearly 250 years ago. It's also a day for taking Americana to the max—fireworks, hot dogs, parties and red-white-and-blue treats galore.
New York City is the perfect place to celebrate given our own revolutionary history and our penchant for parties. The main event is the Macy's July 4th Fireworks, which will delight millions of onlookers around NYC and via television, but there are tons of other cool events, too. Here's everything you need to know about how to celebrate America's big day in NYC, where to see the fireworks and how to get around despite multiple street closures.
All the details on the Macy's July 4th Fireworks
This massive Macy's July 4th Fireworks show begins at 9:25pm on Friday, July 4, 2025 and lasts for about 25 minutes. The show will launch from the Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the lower East River in the Seaport District.
You'll be able to see the fireworks from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River. Macy's says that prime public viewing will be available along elevated portions of the FDR Drive with the following access points managed by NYPD: Montgomery Street at Madison Street; Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Brooklyn Bridge off/on ramps; and Broad Street at Water Street. ADA viewing will be available at the Murry Bergtraum Softball Field with access at Pike Slip and Cherry Street.
Just a heads up that those viewing points will get very busy, and you'll want to show up early. As crowds build at these areas, some of these locations will be closed, and spectators will be redirected to additional open access points.
As for the show, it's pretty spectacular with 80,000 shells launched and numerous effects in 30 colors and shapes. For the first time this year, the East and West towers of the Brooklyn Bridge will serve as a canvas for large-scale projection mapping.
For even more intel, here's our full guide to the fireworks.
Other 4th of July events in NYC you should check out
Many of the best events this year have fireworks viewing as a centerpiece of the evening. There are excellent parties at Time Out Market, Edge, One World Observatory, Watermark Beach, Somewhere Nowhere, and more. While these parties will cost you some coin, if you've ever tried to elbow your way through the public viewing areas, you know it's worth the expense.
If you'd rather spend the day at the beach, Coney Island is launching its own July 4th fireworks. Speaking of Coney Island, July 4 is also the date of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest —if you can stomach watching, that is.
Here's our full guide to the best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025.
Weather forecast for 4th of July in NYC
As of now, the weather looks (dare we say it?) perfect! AccuWeather is predicting a sunny day with a high temperature of 85 degrees. Don't forget the sunglasses, and sunscreen and plenty of water. DEP "Water on the Go" water-bottle-refill stations may be available in proximity to fireworks entry points at select public viewing locations, Macy's said.
NYC street closures for the 4th of July
There are a LOT of street closures in Manhattan and Brooklyn to know about for the holiday, so if you're driving or riding in a taxi, be prepared. If you can take the train, that's a better bet. Subway service will be increased before and after our the fireworks display, per Macy's. The following streets will be closed for the Macy's 4th of July Annual Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4, per NYC DOT.
Manhattan:
Area bounded by Grand Street on the North; Catherine Street/Slip on the South; South Street/FDR Drive on the East; East Broadway on the West (All Inclusive)
FDR Drive between Brooklyn Battery Underpass and Delancey Street (including exit/entrance ramps)
Montgomery Street between FDR and Grand Street
Allen Street between Canal Street and Division Street/Pike Street
Pike Street between Division Street and Canal Street
Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place between Pearl Street and South Street
Frankfort Street between Gold Street and Pearl Street
Dover Street between Pearl Street and South Street
Peck Slip between Pearl Street and South Street
Beekman Street between Pearl Street and South Street
Fulton Street between Gold Street and Pearl Street
John Street between Water Street and South Street
Maiden Lane between Water Street and South Street
Wall Street between Water Street and South Street
Gouverneur Lane between Water Street and South Street
Old Slip between Water Street and South Street
Broad Street between Water Street and South Street
Whitehall Street between Water Street and South Street
State Street between Water Street/Whitehall Street and Battery Place
West Street between Battery Place and West Thames Street
Gold Street between Fulton Street and Frankfort Street
Pearl Street between Fulton Street and St. James Place
St. James Place between Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place and Oliver Street
Water Street between State Street/Whitehall Street and Pearl Street
Water Street between Beekman Street and Dover Street
Front Street between Old Slip and John Street
Front Street between Beekman Street and Dover Street
Battery Place between State Street/Broadway and West Street
South Street between Whitehall Street and Jackson Street
Manhattan Bridge
Brooklyn:
Brooklyn Bridge
John Street between Jay Street and Adams Street
Plymouth Street between Pearl Street and Main Street
Water Street between Adams Street and Old Fulton Street
Front Street between Jay Street and Old Fulton Street
York Street between Jay Street and Front Street
Tillary Street between Prince Street and Cadman Plaza West
Joralemon Street between Furman Street and Adams Street
Atlantic Avenue between Furman Street and Flatbush Avenue
Degraw Street between Columbia Street and Van Brunt Street
Summit Street between Van Brunt Street and Imlay Street
Pioneer Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
King Street between Van Brunt Street and Ferris Street
Sullivan Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
Wolcott Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
Dikeman Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End/Ferris Street
Coffey Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
Van Dyke Street between Van Brunt Street and Dead End
Beard Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
Reed Street between Van Brunt Street and Conover Street
Jay Street between York Street and Dead End
Pearl Street between York Street and John Street
Adams Street between York Street and John Street
Washington Street between York Street and Dead End/Plymouth Street
Main Street between Front Street and Plymouth Street
Old Fulton Street between Cadman Plaza West and Furman Street
Furman Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
Hicks Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
Henry Street between Old Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue
Cadman Plaza West between and Old Fulton Street and Joralemon Street
Adams Street between Brooklyn Bridge/Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard and Joralemon Street/Fulton Street
Flatbush Avenue/Flatbush Avenue Extension between Manhattan Bridge and Atlantic Avenue
Columbia Street between Atlantic Avenue and Degraw Street
Van Brunt Street between Degraw Street and Dead End
Imlay Street between Summit Street and Pioneer Street