Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Alert: Macy's 4th Of July Fireworks RELOCATED To Midtown Barges
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 29, 2017
Modified Jun 29, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Photo by Scott Lynch/Gothamist
View all 8
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jun 29, 2017
Modified Jun 29, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A few years ago Macy's delighted many New Yorkers by relocating their massive 4th of July fireworks from the Hudson to the East River, finally... but their latest move may prove a little less popular. The 41st Annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks—which Macy's claims will be the "largest display in more than a decade"—the company will consolidate all of its East River fireworks barges near Midtown Manhattan. In previous years, there was at least one fireworks barge positioned further south, for people in the Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge area.
The company has provided a map of the new barge locations and best viewing areas:
Their five barges will be located in the East River between 24th and 41st streets, and amNewYork reports that the decision has businesses in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Battery Park and the South Street Seaport worried about losing the extra revenue they were counting on. "The change in barge locations came as a last-minute surprise" to some bars and restaurants, and some had already sold tickets for special fireworks viewing events, which they now need to refund.
A Macy's spokesperson (per the Brooklyn Eagle) said the location change was due to a number of factors, including the "size/scale of the pyrotechnics used, safety requirements, accessible public viewing locations and available city resources."
Brooklyn Bridge Park, a prime viewing area in recent years, posted a warning on their website, noting "the fireworks will not be visible" from the location this year. Macy's also stated that the park "is not a suggested location to watch the display" this year "due to its obstructed views."
Tagged
fireworks
fourth of july
macy's
map
midtown
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
Spoiler alert: It's still 26.2 miles.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 2:36 p.m. ET
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
"Kelly Clarkson has put us in danger," says the co-owner of Art of Play.
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Is NYC’s hottest attraction the free observation deck at 1 Centre Street?
By
James Ramsay
What happens when NYC kids take lessons in rock music? Really good bands.
By
Jayson Greene
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .