Macy’s fireworks livestream 2025: How to watch the NYC 4th of July event online, on TV, or on your phone

Jul 4, 2025 - 12:54

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Macy’s fireworks livestream 2025: How to watch the NYC 4th of July event online, on TV, or on your phone

Long before Katy Perry sang the praises of fireworks, the Founding Fathers expressed their enthusiasm for the explosions in the sky now synonymous with Fourth of July celebrations.

Retail giant Macy’s has been shooting off its world-famous New York City spectacular since 1976 (televised for those located outside the Big Apple). Let’s take a look at the origins of Independence Day celebrations before getting into how to stream the Macy’s fireworks show live.

John Adams’s hot take on Independence Day

King George III may have dissed John Adams in the hit musical Hamilton—calling him “that little guy who spoke to me” and claiming that America would “eat him alive”—but the real-life Adams still managed to accomplish a thing or two.

Before the second president of the United States kept the country out of a costly war with France, he was instrumental in the fight for independence. This role entitled him to have strong opinions on how the country should celebrate once it won the Revolutionary War.

In 1776, he wrote to his wife, Abigail, detailing his wish list for future gatherings. He actually wanted the holiday to be July 2, because that was the day that the Continental Congress voted to approve the Lee Resolution, declaring the colonies free from Great Britain.

Instead, the country chose to honor July 4, because that’s the day the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted. You win some, you lose some. Adams did get almost everything else on his wish list.

About the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks

One can only assume that modern-day Fourth of July fireworks would make Adams proud.

Macy’s is happy to do its part. This year, there will be 80,000 total shells in 30 different colors. Stars such as Trisha Yearwood, Lenny Kravitz, Eric Church, and the Jonas Brothers are set to perform. Speaking of Hamilton, former cast member Ariana DeBose will serve as host.

This year, the fireworks will be launched by the Brooklyn Bridge and East River to a custom score by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and James Poyser. There will be public viewing spots if you find yourself in the city, but Macy’s has not announced them yet.

When and how can I watch the fireworks live?

Those viewing from home can tune into NBC. The fireworks show will air on Friday, July 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET., with an encore screening immediately following at 10 p.m. ET.

If you have an over-the-air antenna, NBC is free to watch. If you’re a cable TV subscriber, it’s easy to find. You can also watch online on NBC.com or via NBC’s mobile apps.

Cable cord-cutters can stream the patriotic event on Peacock.

You can also choose a live-TV streaming service that carries NBC as part of a bundle. Those include:

NBC is available on these services in most markets, but make sure to double-check your region before signing up just in case.