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Macy’s July 4 Fireworks Returning to the Hudson River for Special 250th Anniversary Celebration

May 19, 2026 | 1:32 PM
in NEWS, OUTDOORS
27
July 4th fireworks. Courtesy photo

By Gus Saltonstall

The Macy’s 4th of July fireworks celebration will be a special rendition this year, as it will celebrate both the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 50th anniversary of the company’s fireworks display.

In honor of this milestone, Macy’s will host a larger-than-usual Independence Day exhibition in 2026.

Macy’s will set off fireworks on July 4 from both the Hudson River and the East River, opposed to its typical choice of one river or the other. This means Upper West Siders will have a clear view of the show from Riverside Park and tall buildings in the neighborhood.

“The tradition of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks creates connection through artistry, music and awe-inspiring displays that turn into lasting memories,” Sharon Otterman, Macy’s chief marketing officer, said in a news release. “We are proud to celebrate our 50th anniversary with a once-in-a-generation experience filled with emotional storytelling and signature spectacle to connect millions of people nationwide.”

The Macy’s fireworks show will be televised on NBC and Peacock from 8 to 10 p.m. on July 4. There will also be a Spanish broadcast on Telemundo.

The fireworks will be launched in Lower Manhattan on both the East and Hudson Rivers, but Macy’s has not yet announced specific details about the show, public viewing areas, expected performers, and other elements.

These details will be announced in the coming weeks.

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27 Comments
wombatNYC
wombatNYC
20 days ago

It’s difficult to celebrate the USA as we stand today

35
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
19 days ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

I agree. I think this should be a memorial service for US democracy. It survived almost 250 years, but no longer survives.

12
Reply
Patricia
Patricia
17 days ago
Reply to  neighbor

I disagree. We have seen democracy in action. Just because someone you don’t support was elected by the country, doesn’t prove democracy isn’t surviving – it proves the exact opposite. People need to stop this democracy is dying moan because as long as people are elected from a group we may not support, democracy is doing exactly what it should do. Try living in a one-party state like California….California is where democracy has gone to die….but Louis the XIV would love it.

1
Reply
UWS Dad
UWS Dad
19 days ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

This country is a lot more than the cadre of vapid reality-TV show con artists that are currently running the country, there’s plenty to celebrate in our 250 year history. Stay patriotic friends!

24
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
19 days ago
Reply to  UWS Dad

We are patriotic. We are also in mourning for all that has died in our country, including our democracy, our (reasonably) good government, our welcome to people less privileged than we are.

RIP, USA.

8
Reply
GiveMeCake
GiveMeCake
20 days ago
Reply to  wombatNYC

We have our problems. Which country would you choose right now as an alternative?

5
Reply
UWS Dad
UWS Dad
18 days ago
Reply to  GiveMeCake

I’ll add Denmark, Sweden, Japan, France, Switzerland…. None are perfect but they aren’t being open looted by the president either

4
Reply
Marie
Marie
19 days ago
Reply to  GiveMeCake

New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada.

Last edited 19 days ago by Marie
14
Reply
Tony J
Tony J
19 days ago
Reply to  GiveMeCake

Off the top of my head: Laos, Vietnam, Suriname, Germany. El Salvador is nice, too – none of them are perfect, but they all have experience of the kind of governmental corruption the US enjoys today and they’re damned if they’re going to let it happen twice.

9
Reply
Don
Don
19 days ago
Reply to  Tony J

I will gladly buy you a one-way bus ticket to El Salvador, hombre!

7
Reply
Marie
Marie
19 days ago
Reply to  Tony J

“Corruption we ‘enjoy'”!! Odd choice of words. I might say are forced to endure is more accurate

2
Reply
Rowland Hussey's ghost
Rowland Hussey's ghost
20 days ago

UWS residents stand against bigotry except when it comes to Macy’s.

9
Reply
Not the Real UWSDad
Not the Real UWSDad
19 days ago
Reply to  Rowland Hussey's ghost

You seem to post this every time there is a story involving Macy’s, yet you continue to provide no explanation for your comment.

4
Reply
Ish Kabibble
Ish Kabibble
19 days ago
Reply to  Rowland Hussey's ghost

There’s always someone that can suck the fun out of everything….

6
Reply
Brandon
Brandon
19 days ago
Reply to  Rowland Hussey's ghost

Can you explain this comment — how is Macy’s bigoted?

10
Reply
Abe Strauss
Abe Strauss
16 days ago
Reply to  Brandon

Google their history of racial profiling lawsuits and news stories where they had to pay hundreds of thousands to settle racial profiling claims.

1
Reply
CathyS
CathyS
19 days ago

One paragraphs says “Upper West Siders will have a clear view of the show from Riverside Park” and another says fireworks “will be launched in Lower Manhattan. Clarification, please?

Last edited 19 days ago by CathyS
8
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
19 days ago
Reply to  CathyS

Fireworks will be launched on the East River only. Details here:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06619/special-local-regulation-4th-of-july-fireworks-east-river-and-upper-new-york-bay-manhattan-queens

0
Reply
Anon
Anon
18 days ago
Reply to  neighbor

Your link is old. Macy’s has recently announce they will also set off fireworks in the Hudson River in conjunction with Jersey City.

https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Celebrations-Start-50-Days-from-the-50th-Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks/default.aspx

0
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
17 days ago
Reply to  Anon

Thanks, you’re right. My link is to the Coast Guard notice of proposed rulemaking on water access during the fireworks. They are allowing various boats on the East River, but I think not allowing anyone on the Hudson at all that evening, due to the presence of tall ships and international fleets. I had assumed that meant there only were fireworks on the East River, not also from Jersey City on the Hudson.

0
Reply
Lenny Shields
Lenny Shields
19 days ago
Reply to  CathyS

They will be doing fireworks from both the Hudson River and East River, usually near South Street Seaport, which is why it will be viewable from both sides of the city.

0
Reply
Marie
Marie
19 days ago
Reply to  CathyS

You can see the fireworks clearly from the waterfront path in Riverside Park. I was there two years ago and views were great!

2
Reply
Lola
Lola
18 days ago
Reply to  Marie

I hope so because when they were on the Hudson years ago they were too far south to see clearly bc of the way the island bends to the east.

0
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
19 days ago

Fireworks will be shot off from the East River this year, not the Hudson.

Full details here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/06/2026-06619/special-local-regulation-4th-of-july-fireworks-east-river-and-upper-new-york-bay-manhattan-queens

0
Reply
neighbor
neighbor
17 days ago
Reply to  neighbor

Sorry all, as Anon pointed out, this information doesn’t actually indicate where all the fireworks are, only where the Coast Guard is allowing small boats to watch them from the water. It doesn’t seem to be possible to delete my earlier post.

0
Reply
Anon
Anon
18 days ago
Reply to  neighbor

Why wouldn’t you double check this before saying the Rag is wrong.

https://www.macysinc.com/newsroom/news/news-details/2026/Celebrations-Start-50-Days-from-the-50th-Macys-4th-of-July-Fireworks/default.aspx

0
Reply
Peggy
Peggy
18 days ago

Can’t wait!

0
Reply

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