City officials confirmed to the BBC that somebody applied for street closure permits in the area, but did not reveal whom.

But the city is not likely to have shut down Manhattan’s busiest corridor on a holiday weekend for just anybody. And this is not just any holiday weekend, it’s 4 July weekend marking America’s 250th birthday while the city also hosts the World Cup.

The speculation heightened.

Then the celebrities started to emerge.

Paparazzi captured images of Antonoff, Swift’s longtime producer, sporting a tux and a toothpick dangling out of his mouth, reportedly heading to Thursday’s event at the Garden.

His sister Rachel Antonoff, a designer, followed closely behind in a bubblegum-pink dress.

Famed American sports broadcaster Erin Andrews was also seen in a silver sparkly gown and Swift’s longtime publicist, Tree Paine, wore a light blue dress.

US tabloid Page Six reported Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid, a longtime member of Swift’s friend circle, had also arrived at the venue.

Pop star and actress Selena Gomez posted images of herself on Instagram wearing a black gown with gem earrings and heading to an unspecified event.

People Magazine published a video of Dunham, who created the series Girls, being chauffeured through Manhattan in a black SUV.

Swift reportedly left Thursday night’s event, external at Madison Square Garden well after midnight, arriving home in the early hours of Friday morning.