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With a dual celebration to mark, the 2026 Macy’s fourth of July Fireworks special is all set to light up the sky like never before. If you’ve not managed to score a prime spot to view the display or are away from the Big Apple, you can tune in to catch the show on TV.
The New York institution is now in its 50th year, a landmark which dovetails nicely with this year’s July Fourth celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday. With launch sites on the lower East River in the Seaport District, the lower Hudson River and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, this year’s display is set to feature over 85,000 shells — its biggest number ever — as well as ground-breaking laser elements.
Read on for details on how to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show from anywhere.
What time does the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special start?
The two-hour TV special will air live on Saturday, July 4, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews will be hosting for the first time, while there’s a star-studded musical lineup that sees Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey and Blake Shelton all performing.
Rounding out the show will be the much-anticipated fireworks display, which is set to be soundtracked by a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Jason Howland that will feature live vocals by The Voice season 29 winner Alexia Jayy.
Stream the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special on Peacock
For those looking for an alternative to NBC, the event is streaming live as a simulcast on Peacock.
Peacock currently costs $11 per month for the ad-supported Peacock Premium plan and $17 per month for the ad-free Peacock Premium Plus plan.
Watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special on a live TV streaming service
If you’ve ditched cable, you can still catch this year’s event with a subscription to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo or Sling. Note that NBC is available only in select cities with Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange subscriptions.
How to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special using a VPN
If you’re traveling abroad and want to watch the event while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming.
It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds. Additionally, it can be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, providing an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security.
However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN use to access region-specific content. If you’re considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform’s terms of service to ensure compliance.
If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider’s installation instructions to ensure you’re connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN use is crucial.
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