With a double celebration to mark, Macy’s Fourth of July 2026 Fireworks special is all set to light up the sky like never before. If you couldn’t find a prime spot to watch the show or are far from the Big Apple, you can tune in to catch the show on TV.
The New York center is now in its 50th year, a milestone that coincides perfectly with this year’s Fourth of July celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday. Featuring sites along the East River in the Seaport District, the lower Hudson River and the iconic New York Bridge, this year’s exhibit will feature more than 85,000 shells — its largest ever — and laser-cut elements.
Read on for details on how to watch the Macy’s 4th July Fireworks display from anywhere.
What time does the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special start?
The two-hour TV special will be broadcast live Saturday, July 4, at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC with Peacock.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Terry Crews will be hosting for the first time, while the music star has performed with Noah Kahan, Post Malone, Salt-N-Pepa, Bebe Rexha, Shaboozey and Blake Shelton.
Capping off the show will be the much-anticipated fireworks show, which will feature a score by Grammy Award-winning composer Jason Howland and a live performance by The Voice season 29 winner Alexia Jayy.
Stream the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special at the Peacock
For those looking for an NBC alternative, the event is being broadcast 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 July Fireworks Special on the live TV streaming service
If you’ve ditched cable, you can still catch this year’s event by subscribing to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo or A sling. Note that NBC is only available in certain cities with a Sling Blue or Sling Blue + Orange subscription.
How to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special using a VPN
If you go abroad and want to watch the event away from home, a A VPN can help improve your privacy and security when streaming.
It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speed. Additionally, it can help if you connect to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, providing an extra layer of security 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 that restrict the use of a VPN 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 are connected securely and comply with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms can block access when a VPN is detected, so making sure your streaming subscription allows VPN use is important.
Price $78 for two yearsLatest tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 testsAuthority British Virgin IslandsThe network 3,000 and servers in 105 countries
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN choice for people looking for a reliable and secure VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s usually $120 a year for its most popular (Advanced) plan, but if you sign up for an annual subscription right now, you’ll save $45.
