If watching the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks from one of the city’s best viewing spots has always been on your NYC bucket list, this is your chance.
New York City is giving away 100,000 free tickets to Macy’s biggest Fourth of July Fireworks show ever, giving lucky New Yorkers access to prime waterfront viewing areas in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The giveaway comes as this year’s celebration marks two historic milestones: the 50th anniversary of Macy’s iconic fireworks spectacular and America’s 250th birthday. To celebrate, the show is expanding beyond its usual footprint with fireworks launching from the Brooklyn Bridge, the Lower East River, and the Lower Hudson River.
The best part? It’s completely free—but you’ll need to enter the lottery before time runs out.
Here’s how to snag a spot:
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Prime Viewing Ticket Lottery: How to Enter
On Friday, June 26, Mayor Zohran Mamdani opened a lottery for 100,000 free public viewing tickets, giving New Yorkers a chance to claim prime viewing spots at Brooklyn Bridge Park and the South Street Seaport.
The lottery is open now through Monday, June 29 at 11:59 pm, and you can join it online here.
To enter, New Yorkers must submit one registration as the primary ticket holder with their name, email, and phone number. Winners will be selected at random and notified between June 30 and July 2.
Here’s the full timeline:
- June 26–29: Enter the lottery
- June 30–July 2: Winners are notified by email
- Until July 3: Selected winners claim tickets and choose their viewing zone
- July 3: Ticket holders receive arrival details and entry information
- July 4: Fireworks night
Each winner can claim up to four tickets total. Children under 2 do not require a ticket.
Where will the front-row fireworks viewing areas be?
Lottery winners will be able to choose from several waterfront viewing zones, depending on availability.
The ticketed viewing areas include:
- Zone A: Brooklyn Bridge Park — Pier 1
- Zone B: Brooklyn Bridge Park — Piers 2–3
- Zone C: Brooklyn Bridge Park — Piers 5–6 (ADA accessible)
- Manhattan: South Street Seaport — Seaport Square
Officials recommend selecting your preferred zone as soon as possible after being notified, since some areas may fill up quickly.
Where can you watch the Macy’s fireworks without a ticket?
Don’t worry if you don’t win the lottery—the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks remain free for everyone to watch.
The fireworks will be visible from anywhere with an unobstructed view of the sky above the lower East River in the Seaport, lower Hudson River, and Brooklyn Bridge.
In Manhattan, public non-ticketed viewing areas will be available along the FDR Drive. More details about access points will be announced soon.
In Jersey City, public viewing will be available along the Hudson River waterfront, including:
- York & Hudson
- Grand & Hudson
- Essex & Hudson
- Washington & Dudley (Paulus Hook)
- Colgate Clock
- Columbus & Hudson
- Hudson & Harborside
- 2nd & Hudson
ADA-accessible viewing will also be available at 70 Hudson Street at the Hudson River Walkway.
What to expect from Macy’s biggest 4th of July Fireworks ever
This year’s Macy’s fireworks show is expected to be the largest in the event’s 50-year history.
The spectacular will feature more than 85,000 shells in 30 vibrant colors, along with a state-of-the-art laser show projected onto the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge itself will become part of the celebration with massive visual effects and pyrotechnic displays.
The 27-minute show will be set to a musical score produced and arranged by Grammy and Emmy Award winner Jason Howland, featuring a live performance from “The Voice” season 29 winner Alexia Jayy.
Before the fireworks light up the sky, a star-studded lineup will take over The Rooftop at Pier 17, hosted by Terry Crews. Performers include Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey, and Blake Shelton.
The fireworks begin at 9:25 pm.
For everything else you need to know—including where to tune in on TV and what to expect on July 4—check out our full Macy’s Fireworks guide.
