One of New York City’s grandest summer traditions is about to make history. This year’s celebration is shaping up to be the single largest spectacular in Macy’s history—and it’s going to completely transform how you get around the city.
In honor of both the 50th anniversary of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks and America’s 250th birthday, this year’s record-breaking show is expanding way beyond its traditional East River footprint. For the first time, fireworks will be launching simultaneously from the Brooklyn Bridge, the lower East River, and the lower Hudson River on Saturday, July 4.
Whether you’re hunting for the perfect viewing spot or just trying to navigate the boroughs, you need to plan ahead. With pyrotechnics taking over multiple waterfronts, expect extensive road closures, heavy gridlock, and tight security checkpoints all day long.
Here’s your ultimate guide to the official street closures, transit shifts, and travel impacts for this Fourth of July weekend.
🚫 NYC Road Closures for the 50th Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
The following streets will be closed this weekend to accommodate the massive crowds and security perimeters.
🌉 Major Bridge Closures to Know Before Heading Out
The city’s major spans will see unprecedented security and pedestrian restrictions. If you cross between Manhattan and Brooklyn, memorize these times:
- Brooklyn Bridge: Fully closed to all vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from 8 am Saturday, July 4, until Sunday, July 5
- Manhattan Bridge: Pedestrian and bicycle access closes at 4 pm on July 4 (vehicle traffic remains open)
- Williamsburg Bridge: Pedestrian and bicycle access closes at 4 pm on July 4 (vehicle traffic remains open)
Expect additional NYPD traffic restrictions throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn that may change throughout the day.
🚫 Manhattan Road Closures (3 pm–midnight or later)
Drivers should completely avoid the South Street Seaport and Financial District areas. Beginning at 3 pm, the NYPD will shut down the following streets to all vehicle traffic:
- South Street (Closed between Whitehall St and Montgomery St)
- FDR Drive Service Road (Closed between Montgomery St and Jackson St)
- Whitehall Street (Closed between Water St and South St)
- Old Slip & Gouverneur Lane (Closed between Water St and South St)
- Wall St, Pine St, & Maiden Lane (Closed between Water St and South St)
- Fletcher St & John St (Closed between Water St and South St)
- Beekman St, Peck Slip, & Dover St (Closed between Pearl St and South St)
- Robert Wagner Place (Closed between Pearl St and South St)
- Catherine Slip & Market Slip (Closed between Water St and South St)
- Pike Slip & Rutgers Slip (Closed between Cherry St and South St)
- Jefferson St & Clinton St (Closed between Cherry St and South St)
- Montgomery Street (Closed between Madison St and South St)
- Gouverneur Slip & Jackson St (Closed between Water St and South St)
🏙️ Brooklyn Heights & DUMBO Closures (1 pm–midnight or later)
If you’re trying to access Brooklyn Bridge Park or the surrounding neighborhoods, gridlock will start early. No Parking restrictions go into effect at 12 am midnight, and full street closures begin at 1 pm:
- Atlantic Ave (from Hicks St to Furman St)
- Clark St / Orange St (from Columbia Heights to Willow St)
- Columbia Heights (from Pierrepont St to Old Fulton St — Sidewalks Restricted)
- Columbia Pl (from State St to Joralemon St)
- Columbia St (from BQE Ramp to Atlantic Ave — Sidewalks Restricted)
- Doughty St (from Furman St to Cadman Plaza West)
- Elizabeth Pl (from Doughty St to Old Fulton St)
- Furman St (from Atlantic Ave to Old Fulton St)
- Joralemon St (from Court St to Furman St — Sidewalks restricted from Columbia Pl to Furman)
- Montague St (from Court St to Pierrepont Pl)
- Old Fulton St (from Prospect St to Furman St)
- Pierrepont Pl (from Remsen St to Pierrepont St — Sidewalks Restricted)
- Remsen St (from Hicks St to Dead End — Sidewalks Restricted)
- Sidney Pl (from Aitkens Pl to Joralemon St)
- Vine St (from Cadman Plaza West to Columbia Heights)
- Water St (from Dock St to Old Fulton St)
🚙 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) Exit Closures
Several BQE exits will also close during the afternoon and evening:
- Exit 28B: Closed beginning at 8 am
- Exits 27, 28 & 28A: Closed beginning at 1 pm
Note: All road closures and restrictions are subject to change at the direction of the NYPD, so drivers should expect delays and additional traffic restrictions throughout the day.
🚢 Staten Island Ferry Service Suspended Twice on July 4
If you were planning to catch the best free view of the skyline via the Staten Island Ferry on Independence Day, take note: the ferry will shut down completely during two major windows.
Under strict U.S. Coast Guard orders for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations, New York Harbor will be entirely closed to vessel traffic.
⏱️ Critical Ferry Suspension Times:
- Morning Shut Down: 8 am – 1:30 pm
- Evening Shut Down: 8 am – 10 pm
Note: Exact suspension times are subject to change depending on Coast Guard operations.
🚌 How to get around during the shutdown:
When the ferries are docked, the MTA is stepping in with alternative bus service. Look out for extra standard and Select Bus Service routes on the following lines:
- SIM1C, SIM3C, SIM4C, and SIM33C
- S53 and S79 SBS
Outside of the shutdown windows, ferries will run every 30 minutes, ramping up to every 20 minutes between 4 pm and 8 pm to handle the rush.
🚗 Heading Out of the City? What to Expect This Holiday Weekend
If you’re escaping NYC for the long weekend, the travel disruptions don’t stop at the city border.
🚨 Increased Police Patrols & Checkpoints
Expect a heavy police presence across New York State through Sunday, July 5. State troopers are cracking down hard on impaired, distracted, and reckless driving. Sobriety checkpoints will be active.
🚧 Construction Pause (The Good News)
To help ease the inevitable holiday gridlock, the state is suspending most temporary lane closures for highway and bridge construction. This pause runs from Thursday, July 2, through Monday morning, July 6 (though emergency repairs may still pop up).
Secret NYC Recommendation: Avoid driving entirely if you can. Use public transportation, give yourself double the travel time, and double check live transit updates at MTA.info
and july4.events.nyc before walking out the door!
