The Fourth of July in New York City means the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, returning to the East River in Midtown again this year. Macy’s promises the largest fireworks show in more than a decade, with more than 60,000 shells launched to synchronize to patriotic music by West Point Band and Glee Club.
Plus, of course, performances by top recording artists before the fireworks, which are the largest in the USA. This year’s headliner is country superstar Brad Paisley.
This will be a special performance by the West Point Band, which celebrated its 200th birthday this month. The band has its roots in a fife and drum corps that marched with George Washington’s troops, before West Point was created.
The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular show was launched in 1976 to commemorate the nation’s bicentennial, which makes July Fourth 2017 the nation’s 241st birthday.
This year also includes an NYPD helicopter flyover and an FDNY waterboat show kick off the grand celebration, with fireworks set to start at approximately 9:25 pm.
About 3 million people are expected to line the shores of the East River in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens to see the show, and many millions more around the country watch on TV.
There will be five barges on the East River between 41st and 21st St. Last year, there were four fireworks barges were parked between 59th St. and 23rd St.
This is the fourth year in a row that the fireworks are being staged on the East River, returning to the East River after five years on the Hudson River.
Once again, Macy’s will be staging the show from headquarters in Long Island City’s Hunters Point South Park, which will be closed to the public the day of the event, as will some local streets.
But there’s an excellent vantage point a a few blocks north in Gantry Plaza State Park, where viewing areas will be set up near the waterfront between 48th and 46th avenues, according to the NYPD’s 108th Precinct.
As of this moment, Macy’s has not announced its headline performers. Last year, the headliner was Kenny Chesney, and another year featured Mariah Carey.
Check the Macy’s Fourth of July microsite for updates.
We’ll have the best viewing spots and more about the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017, as they become available, including where to download music links.
In the meantime, you can read the Macy’s press release on the next page:
Macy’s, you are negatively impacting the lives of people with PTSD, NYC wildlife, and peoples’ companion animals with these fireworks. There are silent fireworks, which would be a step in the right direction, and we could have light displays instead. My mother was a Holocaust survivor who forbade her children to attend firework displays. I’ve grown to dislike them for what they do to wildlife and companion animals, as well. Please consider doing something that is more humane and less deleterious to the environment. Thank you.