Macy's is gearing up for its annual July 4th fireworks. On Monday, July 4, 2016, fireworks will light up the sky over the East River, and the show promises to be bigger than ever as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Spectators should be able to catch the show from many neighborhoods in downtown Manhattan as well as parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
Fireworks will take to the sky along the East River near Midtown and the South Street Seaport. More than 56,000 are scheduled to burst forth at a rate of 2,200 per minute and all will be synchronized to a soundtrack of patriotic standards. New-in-2016 effects will include pyro-writing, where fireworks will spell out U-S-A.
If you're hoping to watch Macy's 4th of July Fireworks live, it's never too early to start planning your viewing strategy. Tickets for paid viewing options like Fourth of July Fireworks cruises are already on sale and going fast. Of course, you don't need to spend a penny to see the sparklers, but there are some important things to know before you go like when it starts! We've got the scoop on how to find the best places to watch the fireworks in person.
And don't forget, there are fireworks almost daily in NYC during the summer, from Coney Island to Central Park. Read our roundup on where else to see cool displays this summer.