Macys 50th Anniversary Fireworks Show to Celebrate Americas 250th Birthday with Post Malone, Blake Shelton and Others
On Saturday, July 4, 2026, New York City will witness the largest Independence Day celebration in the United States as Macy’s marks the 50th anniversary of its annual Fourth of July fireworks show. The spectacle, part of the “Celebrations Start at Macy’s” series, will air live on NBC and stream on Peacock from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, while a Spanish‑language simulcast will broadcast on Telemundo at the same hour.
The program will showcase a star‑studded lineup that blends contemporary hits with nostalgic favorites. Post Malone, whose birthday coincides with the holiday, will headline the musical segment. Country icon Blake Shelton, former judge on NBC’s “The Voice,” will also perform. The pioneering hip‑hop trio Salt‑N‑Pepa will add a throwback vibe, and the pop‑hip‑hop fusion of Noah Kahan, Bebe Rexha, and Shaboozey will round out the set. The evening will close with a vocal performance by Alexia Jayy, the winner of season 29 of “The Voice,” whose set will tie the show together.
Behind the music, the pyrotechnics promise an unprecedented display. Six barges positioned on the East River will launch 85,000 shells in 30 colors over a two‑hour span. A brand‑new laser show, projected from the Brooklyn Bridge, will add a high‑tech dimension to the fireworks. Viewers in Lower Manhattan will now enjoy a front‑row experience that was not available in 2025, with fireworks visible from the lower East River, the lower Hudson River, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
Macy’s executive producer Will Coss said the anniversary edition would “deliver the largest Independence Day celebration in the nation through a show‑stopping spectacle that reminds us of the power of connection and shared experience.” He added that the expanded show would feature never‑before‑seen effects and music’s biggest stars for a “truly unforgettable celebration.”
The event’s roots run deep. Macy’s has sponsored the fireworks display since 1976, and the show has been televised nationally on NBC since 2000. Over the decades, the program has evolved from a modest local affair into a major broadcast that attracts millions of viewers each year. The 50th anniversary, coinciding with the United States’ 250th birthday, elevates the program’s national significance.
According to the schedule, the fireworks will begin at 8 p.m. Eastern and run for two hours, with the live broadcast recorded for later airing on Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones. The Telemundo simulcast will also start at 8 p.m. Eastern, and the Peacock stream will make the full program available to viewers who do not have cable.
The event is confirmed for July 4, 2026, and no changes to the lineup or broadcast schedule have been announced. Residents and visitors can expect a historic display that combines pyrotechnics, laser light, and live music. The show will remain a centerpiece of New York City’s Independence Day celebrations and a highlight of the national holiday season.
