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4th of July Weekend in NYC: Macy's Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things To Do with Kids

Skip the standard Fourth of July cookout and enjoy an evening cruise and front-row seat to the Macy's fireworks display. Photo courtesy Event Cruises NYC
Skip the standard Fourth of July cookout and enjoy an evening cruise and front-row seat to the Macy's fireworks display. Photo courtesy Event Cruises NYC
7/4/25 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this long holiday weekend.

We've got the 411 for the big Macy's 4th of July fireworks show, plus plenty of other fireworks displays from Richmond Town in Staten Island to Coney Island's sparklers.

Plus: Sharks are partying at the New York Aquarium, Memnon opens at the Marcus Garvey Amphitheater, Mr. Puppy debuts at AMT, and families can immerse themselves in magic during a performance of the Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and time.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

4th of July Fireworks & Festivals in NYC this Weekend

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

East River – FREE
Friday, July 4
The 49th annual Macy's 4th of July fireworks are set to sparkle over the East River once again. The dazzling display features thousands of shells bursting forth, synced to an original, curated musical score. READ MORE

July 4th at Swingers NoMad

Flatiron District
Friday, July 4
Looking for a memorable way to spend the July 4th holiday? Swingers NoMad welcomes guests of all ages with crazy golf, delicious kids' menus, fun drinks and slushies, kids' activity sheets, and cocktails for the adults.   READ MORE

July 4th Fireworks Cruise NYC 2025

Greenwich Village
Friday, July 4
Declare your independence from the standard Fourth of July cookout on this unique food and fireworks dinner cruise. Steam your way down the East River, under the Brooklyn Bridge, past Battery Park, and around New York Harbor, with a three-course meal and drinks at your fingertips. READ MORE

Richmond Town Independence Day Celebration

Richmond, Staten Island
Friday, July 4
Celebrate our nation’s independence with old-fashioned family fun! Visit Historic Richmond Town for home-churned ice cream, a patriotic pinwheel parade, and an inspirational reading of the Declaration of Independence. READ MORE

Nathan’s Famous 4th of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025

Coney Island, Brooklyn – FREE
Friday, July 4
Hearty eaters compete to see who can chow down on the most franks at this classic NYC summer event, which takes place on the corner of Surf and Stillwell. READ MORE

Travis Parade

Rossville, Staten Island – FREE
Friday, July 4
Travis hosts one of the oldest consecutive Independence Day celebrations in the United States. The festivities start at noon with a ceremony at Independence Park. READ MORE

4th of July Fireworks on Coney Island

Coney Island, Brooklyn – FREE
Friday, July 4
Coney Island's iconic 4th of July fireworks return for 2025! Bring the family, a blanket, and a picnic to watch the fireworks dazzle over the Atlantic. READ MORE

More Fun Things To Do in NYC this Weekend

Slide City Waterpark at Kingsborough College

Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn
Opens Thursday, July 3
The first all-inflatable touring amusement park, Slide City Waterpark, provides super-sized water fun for all ages.  READ MORE

Shark Party at the New York Aquarium

Coney Island, Brooklyn
Opens Friday, July 4
Celebrate one of the ocean's scariest predators with educational presentations, live entertainment, and hands-on activities! READ MORE

Big Umbrella Day at Lincoln Center

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, July 5
The celebrated Big Umbrella Festival returns as a free one-day Lincoln Center campus takeover full of relaxed spaces with multi-sensory experiences, performances, installations, and workshops specifically welcoming neurodivergent audiences and their families. READ MORE

Family Art Project: Frida's Natural Self-Portraits at Wave Hill

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, July 5-Sunday, July 6
Celebrate Frida Kahlo’s birthday! Frida explored her relationship with the plants and animals of her home in Mexico through creating self-portraits. With Frida as inspiration, make your own self-portraits featuring nature found at Wave Hill. READ MORE

Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club

Midtown West
Saturday, July 5-Saturday, August 23
The Broadway Magic Hour features master magicians Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio in a performance that includes mind-boggling mysteries and hilarious comedy for all ages. Witness magic, mind-reading, comedy, and grand illusions! READ MORE

Memnon in Marcus Garvey Park

Harlem – FREE
Opens Saturday, July 5
The Classical Theatre of Harlem presents the East Coast premiere of Will Power’s exhilarating new epic that resurrects the story of Memnon, the Ethiopian king and demigod who rides to Troy’s defense, through rhythmic verse, pulse-quickening choreography and music. READ MORE

Mr. Puppy: The Musical

Midtown West
Opens Sunday, July 6
Mr Puppy dreams of adventure and wants to see the world, but he's trapped in a toy store. When other toys try to discourage his dream, he bravely follows his heart and escapes in a toy flying balloon. Outside, he discovers an exciting world of fantastic cultures and amazing music.  READ MORE

Declare Independence: Tear Down the King at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, July 6
In July 1776, servicemen tore down and cut apart the gilded statue of King George III at Bowling Green.  Join scholar-in-residence Dylan Yeats for a fun, family-friendly reenactment of this historic event in front of the Old Stone House. READ MORE

Buoy's Briny Bops at Brooklyn Art Haus

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sunday, July 6
Buoy the Brooklyn Mermaid presents a 30-minute interactive preschool show where classic children’s songs get a fintastic ocean twist! Little guppies can sing, dance, and learn about ocean life through bubbly, sea-themed versions of familiar favorites.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Drew Kristofik
Drew Kristofik’s career took a twist from editing teen magazines to a seven-year stint at MacNeil/Lehrer, followed by a long run at Nickelodeon/Viacom as Director of Content for Nick Online and Editor-in-Chief of ParentsConnect.com. A founding member of the Webby Award-winning GoCityKids, she’s written for Family Fun, Vanity Fair, and New York. Her middle school novel, The Time Boat, is available on Amazon Kindle. Drew keeps the MommyPoppins New York Events calendar spot-on and can be reached at events@mommypoppins.com.
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