Macy's 38th Annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular will once again lit up the skies above East River, where hundreds of thousands are expected to crowd the shores of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn in New York City. This annual fireworks spectacular celebration has been held for the last 50 years and millions across the nation have been electrified by the one-of-a-kind spectacle whether directly in NYC or in the comfort of their homes through their television screens.
This Fourth of July marks the 200th birthday anniversary of the United States of America. While fireworks will lit the skies across the Stars and Stripes, Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be the largest and most elaborate, where over 50,000 pounds of fireworks will be set off from the Brooklyn Bridge and barges on the East River. Beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT or 7 p.m. CT/MT, NBC will be televising the show and viewers can watch online through live stream at the link below.
"We are thrilled to be working with our partners in the City of New York to have the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge as our canvas and stunning backdrop for this year's bigger-than-life display," said Amy Kule, Executive Producer of Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, according to CBS New York.
The 25-minute fireworks show is choreographed to music score, including patriotic songs like "Stars and Stripes Forever," "Military Salute," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and more. They will be played by the world-class brass players from the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, an all-woman music team, and will include two new songs by The Charlie Daniels Band, Tony Award-winning artist Idina Menzel, who will sing the "Star Spangled Banner," backed up by choral vocals from Essential Voices USA. The other singer includes Billy Porter. During the anthem, a flag made out of fireworks will burst in the air.
This year, Macy's is partnering with NBC to broadcast the show live. Besides the fireworks, NBC has invited Ariana Grande, Hunter Hayes, Enrique Iglesias, Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert and Lionel Richi to perform in the studio in order to prepare the American viewers, who are before their television, desktop, or mobile devices, for the climactic fireworks celebration of the Independence of the United States. The performances will be held inside NBC's studio, which can only be watched on television or live stream beginning at 5 p.m. ET/PT. The host of the event is "America's Got Talent's" Nick Cannon.
For those planning to watch the fireworks live in New York City, Macy's have created a map that lists out a number of secured locations and access points to them, where viewers can get the best view of the Macy's July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. The city is advising those planning to attend to get setup around 5 p.m. although the actual fireworks don't begin until 9 p.m.
With the incoming storm Arthur, Macy's and New York City emergency management officials may delay the show's opening until the weather passes.
"Since the show became an annual event in 1976, it has always taken place on July 4th," said Orlando Veras, a spokesman for Macy's, according to NBC News. "Macy's fireworks can take place in the rain, as they have on numerous occasions in the past."
For those who won't be getting off work until late, NBC will be playing an encore performance of the event's highlights beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The Macy's July 4th Fireworks Spectacular can be watched online through live stream by clicking here.
