Much like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworksshow is a New York City tradition. Nothing says Independence Day in America like a sparkling array of light and color as an exhibition of patriotism. This year marks the 41st display.
This year, the show, which lasted about 25 minutes, was best visible from Midtown, Greenpoint and Long Island City. In years past, the fireworks were easily seen from the popular viewing location Brooklyn Bridge Park, but this year the barges were relocated to a point further up the East River.
A total of 60,000 shells, 23 colors and 50 pyrotechnicians brought the brilliant displayto life for New Yorkers and Americans from all over the country who watched from home.
The show’s musical guests included Jennifer Lopez, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley and Hailee Steinfeld. Macy’s creative team spent a year putting together the programming, enlisting performers and arranging music. The 25 minute score was performed by the West Point Band.
Fourth of July is finally here and New York City is known for their Macy’s Fireworks. The 41st annual celebration of Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks is launching their light show from five barges stationed along the East River between East 24th and 41st streets. It is the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the nation.
There are many places to watch the fireworks and they even include official viewing locations here. Along with those, the Classic Harbor Line offers a Fourth of July celebration including upfront views of the beautiful firework display. Who wouldn’t want to get aboard a classic style yacht and celebrate freedom?
They offer five different yachts on Fourth of July. Below are the offerings, all of them depart from Chelsea Piers.
Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise aboard Luxury Yacht Manhattan II
A 1920’s style luxury yacht offering great views of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, Statue of Liberty, and NYC Skyline either on its open air deck, or its glassed-in skylight observatory.
The 105 foot America 2.0 is the most opulent sailboat in all of New York City. It is a modernized replica of the first winner of the America’s Cup race of 1851 and is the most stunning as well as patriotic yacht in the NYC Fleet. On the yacht, guests have a complimentary open bar, hors d’oeuvres prepared by their on board chef and a 3-hour excursion on the Hudson River (amongst the entire New York July 4th flotilla).
Like the Manhattan II, it is also a 1920’s style luxury yacht offering great views of the 4th of July fireworks, Statue of Library, and NYC Skyline. This cruise includes complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda, water, four courses of passed hors d’oeuvres, and lastly, dessert.
The Adirondack ensures an experience of great views of the fireworks and the New York City skyline during this joyful, picturesque sail. Your sail includes open beer, soda, wine, and champagne bar. Guests can bring their own picnic or snacks; however, hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
Known as the most intimate classic yacht in town, step aboard and take in the spectacular fireworks on the East River. Along with 29 other guests, you will zip out on to the Hudson & East Rivers in style! It is a 1920’s style water taxi and features wrap-around seating, a covered area midship and an uncovered forward and back deck to observe fantastic skyward views. Along with a well-appointed restroom, there will be a fully stocked bar available.
The spirit of July 4th will fill the harbor! Buy tickets here for a Fourth of July you will never forget and keep the Classic Harbor Line in mind for other yacht ventures in your future.
The biggest and most American party of the year is approaching, and whatever your plans may be; the party isn’t complete without some dessert. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue (or have the luxury of being a guest) or going for a picnic in the park, patriotic sweets are a must. And with so many bakeries in New York getting into the Fourth of July spirit, there’s no need to get your hands dirty in the kitchen. We’ve rounded up our favorite places in the city to pick up your red, white and blue desserts.
Are you really American if you don’t love cupcakes? Georgetown cupcakes has decorated their famous cupcakes with stars, stripes and fireworks, offering as many as 12 different flavors in their Fourth of July dozen assortment.
The hardest challenge you will face here is choosing between peanut butter fudge, salted caramel or blueberry cheesecake. They also offer the more classic flavors in their Stars & Stripes Dozen, including red velvet, chocolate, vanilla & buttercream and chocolate & vanilla. There’s no shortage of choices here!
Our favorite cookie in New York has been given a little makeover for the occasion. City Cakes have decorated their famous red velvet cookie with red, white and blue stars, making it even more fun to eat. And because it’s what’s on the inside that counts, the cookie is filled with a generous amount of cream cheese, making each bite as delicious as the first.
City Cakes also offers the option to create a patriotic red velvet sandwich with the other classic cookies such as Sugardoodle and Macamochip. Warning: these cookies are big, heavy, and very addictive.
If you’re worried about cupcakes getting squashed or cookies crumbling, Jars by Dani is the perfect alternative. Mason Jars filled with desserts – now that’s something fun to bring to your Fourth of July party.
Dani Beckerman, the creative mind and baking queen behind the desserts, has made a July 4th pack containing an assortment of her favorite Red, White, and Blue Jars: cake batter, white chocolate, and fudge brownie. Three words: God Bless America (or should we say, Dani?).
Still looking for something to do for Monday, Jul. 4? One of your options to consider ought to be what’s being offered at South Street Seaport. As organized by the Howard Hughes Corporation, the Seaport District will be presenting its Festival Of Independence. The two-day celebration — which launches one day earlier on Jul. 3 — is presented in partnership with Noisey, the music and culture channel of VICE. Beyond performances by Porches, D.R.A.M. and Phony PPL, there will also be a second stage with incredible family-friendly performances from Clifford The Big Red Dog & Friends and the Marcus Monroe Juggling Show.
Phillip St. Pierre, Senior General Manager of South Street Seaport, spoke to Downtown about the Festival Of Independence and plenty more. Less than a week later, the same site will be hosting the 4Knots Music Festival, as presented by The Village Voice on Jul. 9, as featuring headliner Guided By Voices. IMPACT! and the recurring Fulton Stall Market are also on the docket for the Howard Hughes Corporation.
For more info on the Seaport, click on over to www.southstreetseaport.com. The legendary downtown destination can also be followed on Twitter via @TheSeaport.
Guided By Voices
How would you describe this event to someone thinking of attending?
Phillip St. Pierre: The Fourth of July is all about family, friends, and community. The Festival Of Independence is all about celebrating that sense of community and independent spirit.
This two-day concert series on the historic streets of the Seaport District includes a lineup of independent artists hand-selected by Noisey, VICE’s music and culture channel — the performances won’t be Noisey, they’ll be melodious! Artists including Wild Nothing, Porches, D.R.A.M and a Jonathan Toubin DJ set will perform on a dedicated stage on Fulton Street.
There will also be top-tier children’s performers all afternoon on July 4th. Acts include the Marcus Monroe Juggling Show and Tim and the Space Cadets, a Brooklyn entertainer and host of the only live morning show for preschoolers, Sunny Side Up.
All of this excitement and activity culminates with the Macy’s 2016 Fireworks Show over the East River. There is no better vantage point than up on the FDR at Pier 17 — that’s right, the city is closing down the FDR so you can walk right on up and see the show unobstructed — to watch this amazing display!
Is there a particular activity or part of the festival that you’re looking forward to most?
PSP: The Seaport District is a vibrant community, and The Howard Hughes Corporation is particularly excited about activities geared towards some of the neighborhood’s youngest residents. Lower Manhattan’s population under 18 is booming, and we are constantly looking for new ways to engage kids and their families through interactive programming and events. We know that Clifford The Big Red Dog live on The Peck Slip Stage is going to be a huge hit.
How did the opportunity to collaborate with VICE on this festival come about?
PSP: VICE’s Noisey is an expert at curating lineups of top-performers across a range of genres. We were very excited about their work, and we recognized that they could be a tremendous asset to the festival. They were also thrilled to be a part of the revitalization of the Seaport District, and play a role in making the neighborhood a place where all New Yorkers could congregate and listen to amazing acts.
Photo by Jane Kratochvil/Seaport District
South Street Seaport took a long time to rebuild from Hurricane Sandy. For someone that hasn’t been gone there in a while, what has changed recently?
PSP: There have been tremendous changes to the Seaport District since Hurricane Sandy. The neighborhood feels incredibly vibrant with the worst days of recovery far behind us. The Howard Hughes Corporation is committed to revitalizing the neighborhood into one of the top entertainment and cultural destinations in New York City.
In recent months, we’ve announced plans for new restaurants from legendary chefs David Chang and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, as well as the upcoming opening of iPic Theaters. This summer, Smorgasburg, everyone’s favorite food festival, has returned to the Seaport. We welcome all New Yorkers to come and experience the Seaport’s dynamic attractions first-hand this summer.
After this festival has wrapped, are there any future events at the Seaport happening that you can talk about?
Right now we are hosting the annual Seaport Culture District, the acclaimed arts initiative that brings cultural partners to the Seaport. As part of the Culture District, we’ve brought an ongoing design exhibit called IMPACT! which showcases projects from students at Parsons School of Design and explores the ways in which designers, artists, scholars and technologists come together to push the limits of creativity IMPACT! will be open for extended hours during the Festival Of Independence.
And on July 9th, music lovers should check out The 4Knots Musical Festival, sponsored by The Howard Hughes Corporation and The Village Voice. Like The Festival Of Independence, this event includes an incredible music line-up with bands like Girlpool, Guided By Voices and Car Seat Headrest. It’s going to be a memorable event.
What about events being produced by the Howard Hughes Corporation?
PSP: Every Sunday afternoon, The Howard Hughes Corporation hosts the weekly Fulton Stall Market, a farmer’s market that brings local food producers down to the Seaport to share their goods with the Lower Manhattan community. It’s a great way for people to connect with the farmers and food producers that are at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement.
When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?
PSP: I love to ride. You will find me most weekends out in rural New York amongst our Fulton Stall Market friends riding my Harley. It’s where I can unwind and recharge. I am actually making the big trip later this summer, riding from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Golden Gate — 17 states in 16 days. I am really looking forward to it.
Finally, Phillip, any last words for the kids?
PSP: The Seaport District is great to visit all year-round, but it’s especially wonderful in the summer. We encourage everyone, and especially kids and families, to come to the neighborhood and experience firsthand what all the buzz is about.
For us long-term Lower Manhattanites, watching the fireworks on July 4 has been a decades-long emotional roller coaster full of excitement, confusion, and disappointment. Year after year, they switch rivers from east to west, move them further uptown, cancel them altogether, and — most recently — demolish the best viewing spot, Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport; fortunately, Pier 17 is in the process of being rebuilt.
Luckily, this year, Industry Kitchen — located at 70 South Street at Maiden Lane — is offering prime, waterside viewing space. Beyond the fireworks, there will be a buffet of food, drinks, and a DJ to keep you entertained while you wait.
The 5,000 square-foot venue can accommodate up to 300 guests with indoor and outdoor seating, offering unobstructed views of the East River with the Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges and Brooklyn Skyline—and, of course, the Macy’s Fireworks Show. Guests have the option to dine within the scenic outdoor area or to sit at the freestanding island bar, while sipping the restaurant’s thirst quenching signature cocktails, wines and craft beers.
Industry Kitchen
Appetizers will include Industry Kitchen house salad, made with heirloom tomato, and buffalo mozzarella; basil pesto grilled summer vegetables; and balsamic glaze watermelon gazpacho.
Mains will include baby back ribs made with Jack Daniels BBQ sauce; guajillo-marinated skirt steak with chimichurri; beer can-roasted chicken with lemon sauce; grilled miso-marinated salmon with pineapple jalapeno salsa; meatballs in tomato sauce; sausage and peppers; and, of course, good old-fashioned burgers.
If you have room for dessert — and if you don’t right away, you will eventually, since the fireworks won’t start ‘til after dark — try the mini apple tarts, bourbon pecan pie, brownies, banana cakes, white chocolate cake, and a fruit platter.
Industry Kitchen
Depending on your selected ticket option — see below — you can nab a reserved seat at the bar, patio, or at a table either inside or out, and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Reserved Seating
Price: $238
• Premium open bar and buffet
• Views of the Macy’s NYC fireworks display
• Assigned outdoor or indoor seating
• Seating will be assigned on a first come, first served basis — many tables are communal, so smaller parties may share seating with similar sized parties
Bar Seating
Price: $175
• Premium open bar and buffet
• Views of the Macy’s NYC fireworks display
• Assigned outdoor or indoor seating
• Bar seating is optimal for smaller parties or individual
• Bar stool seating may apply
• Party sizes of 2 or more are not recommended for this area
Under 21
Price: $94
• Buffet and unlimited nonalcoholic drinks
• Views of Macy’s NYC fireworks display
• Assigned outdoor or indoor seating
• Seating will be assigned
• Buffet will be consistent with other tickets
Food & Drinks: Seating opens early with a cash bar at 5:00 PM, with an open bar and buffet to follow at 7:00 PM. All pricing includes sales tax and gratuity. Guests must present valid ID; guests under 21 cannot be seated at the bar and must be accompanied by an adult.
