By Gus Saltonstall
The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks will take place over the Hudson River on Thursday for the first time in more than a decade.
While the Independence Day fireworks won’t be ignited on the Upper West Side, the change to the west side of Manhattan means it will be easier to watch along the Hudson River within Riverside South and Riverside Park.
The July 4th firework show typically takes place over the East River, but in 2009 the display shifted to the Hudson River for a special celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s exploration of the region around New York City. Macy’s ended up sticking with the Hudson River for four more years, before shifting back to the East River when Bill de Blasio became mayor, after public complaints about more New Yorkers from outer boroughs being able to see the show from the east side of Manhattan.
Here’s what to know about the event.
When and Where
The firework show will begin on Thursday, July 4, at 9:25 p.m.
The fireworks will be launched from five barges between West 14th and 34th streets.
You will be able to see the show from the majority of spots along the Hudson River, but Macy’s also recommends nine official public viewing spots.
Manhattan:
- Christopher Street & Washington Street
- West 11th Street and Washington Street
- West 12th and Washington Street
- West 29th Street and 11th Avenue
- West 40th Street and 11th Avenue
New Jersey:
- Pier A Park
- Stevens Park
- Elysian Park
- Maxwell Place Park
Fireworks
There will be 60,000 firework shells launched from the Hudson River on Thursday night. Those shells will reach 1,000 feet in the air, and there will be 30 different colors included in the show.
You can keep an eye out for seven different types of effects:
- Cross rings
- Strobing comets
- Waterfalls
- Saturn circles
- Crackling pistils
- Special ghost pyro with multiple changing colors
- A never-before-seen silver cascading burst creates a kaleidoscopic center and alternating reds and blues.
Performers
There will also be a variety of live performers who take the stage before the firework display begins on Thursday night.
The stage area is not open to the general public, but here is who will be performing.
- Amber Mark
- Brandy Clark
- Lainey Wilson
- Louis Fonsi
- Mickey Guyton
- The War and Treaty
Following the live performances, the customary musical score produced and arranged by Grammy-winner Jason Howland will accompany the fireworks.
Street Closures
Finally, here are the Manhattan streets that will be closed in the hours before, during and after the July 4th fireworks show.
- Joe DiMaggio Highway / West Side Highway / West Street / 12th Avenue / 11th Avenue between Spring Street and West 46th Street
- Clarkson Street between West Street and Greenwich Street
- Christopher Street between West Street and Greenwich Street
- Charles Street between West Street and Washington Street
- West 11th Street between West Street and Greenwich Street
- West 12th Street between West Street and Greenwich Street
- West 13th Street between West Street/11th Avenue and Washington Street
- West 15th Street between West Street/11th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 17th Street between West Street/11th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 20th Street between West Street/11th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 22nd Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 24th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 11th Avenue
- West 26th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 11th Avenue
- West 29th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 34th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 11th Avenue
- West 40th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- West 41st Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 11th Avenue
- West 44th Street between West Street/12th Avenue and 11th Avenue
- 11th Avenue between West 22nd Street and West 46th Street
You can read more about the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show — HERE.
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here.
Do you think that we can see it on rooftops or possibly Pier i or Pier 90?
Macy’s is not a good neighbor when it comes to having their events on the west side. There is still no accountability for how they messed up the 2023 balloon inflation on the UWS.
Thanks – this is helpful. Since this is an UWS audience, it would be more helpful to also note whether this will be visible from Riverside Park (such as at Pier I?), UWS apartments and roof decks, etc? I know it is probably hard to tell and there are a ton of variables involved, but any further guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
The way Macy’s corporate treated people who complained about how badly botched the balloon inflation was last year makes me not want to shop at Macy’s again.
If you have a clear view of the river facing south, you should be able to see the fireworks even from the 80s and 90s on the UWS.
thanks for this. we were planning to be in the park uptown and wondered.
Great… as long as they’re not on the Upper West Side, I’m happy🤣
What are the timings for the fireworks??
Read the article. Lots of great details including the answer to your question.
Thank you. Given the amount of posts WSR seems to reject, I’m not sure why they would choose to post a pointless one like that. Not saying this to be mean – just a fact. I have done it in the past and would not be offended if a similar post by me was rejected. Reading is fundamental.
Clearly stated in article above, under “When and Where”:
“The firework show will begin on Thursday, July 4, at 9:25 p.m.”
Love this city. We allow voices that resent Macy’s giving the city a super expensive show for those who choose to enjoy our heritage.
Let’s face it Macy’s has a very troubled history. They had to pay $600,000 to settle racial profiling claims in 2005, they had to pay $650,000 and appoint an independent monitor to settle racial profiling claims brought by then Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in 2014, they had another allegation which alleged Macy’s would refuse to sell certain products to Asians around 2019. Not only that, when problems including profiling went on at the balloon inflation last year, they would not even empathize with those bothered enough to contact Macy’s corporate to express their displeasure.
Jersey gets a free show they don’t deserve.
Hey, we get to see the pre-Macy’s fireworks from all the towns strung along the NJ riverfront opposite the UWS: West New York (opposite 60th St.), Guttenberg, and North Bergen, which usually has a good display from James Braddock Park.
So why shouldn’t they enjoy ours?
No one else should have fun because you’re having fun? You’re not paying for the fireworks. Who cares who else gets to see it?
I am fine with Macy’s having their Thanksgiving Day Parade in New Jersey. The Upper West Side is supposed to be a tolerant and inclusive place yet people were unfairly profiled on the Upper West Side at last year’s parade and balloon inflation. Not only did Macy’s deflect blame for those incidents, but Gale Brewer’s office would not even empathize with those profiled. Macy’s studio which runs both the fireworks and balloon inflation is in Moonachie NJ, as Ed Koch once said “if they want a parade, let them parade in front of the oil drums in Moonachie”.
What time the west highway opens tonight