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

Snag a perfect view of the Coney Island fireworks on the 4th of July in NYC. Photo courtesy of Canva
Snag a perfect view of the Coney Island fireworks on the 4th of July in NYC. Photo courtesy of Canva
7/5/24 - 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. And, when we're not oohing and ahhing at night sky spectacles, we're celebrating summer at the Seaport Kids Music Fest and Beach Fest, including Saturday's Mommy Poppins-sponsored programming! We also suggest lining up for Classical Theatre of Harlem's hilarious iteration of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which opens Saturday night.

All that, plus kids can channel their inner ninjas this long, hot weekend while parents save 15 percent at Ferox Ninja Park in Brooklyn, using code Mommy15 when you purchase tickets online. We've also got the intel on how to save up to 30% on the brand-new Balloon Story installation at the Park Avenue Armory.

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.

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4th of July Fireworks & Festivals in NYC this Weekend

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks

Hudson River – FREE
Thursday, July 4
The 48th annual Macy's 4th of July fireworks are set to sparkle over the Hudson River, moving to Manhattan's west side for the first time since 2013. The dazzling display features thousands of shells bursting forth and visible from West 14th Street to West 34th Street and along the New Jersey waterfront. READ MORE

Richmond Town Independence Day Celebration

Richmond, Staten Island
Thursday, 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 2024

Coney Island, Brooklyn – FREE
Thursday, 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
Thursday, 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
Thursday, July 4
Coney Island's iconic 4th of July fireworks return for 2024! Bring the family, a blanket, and a picnic to watch the fireworks dazzle over the Atlantic. READ MORE

Empire Outlets 4th of July Fireworks & Block Party

St. George, Staten Island – FREE
Thursday, July 4
Empire Outlets hosts a celebratory block party with face painting, balloon animals, popcorn, cotton candy, live music, and more. A fireworks show caps off the fun around 9pm. READ MORE

July at CMOM: 4th of July, Street Art and More

Upper West Side
Thursday, July 4
CMOM celebrates summer in the city with 4th of July fun, pigeon finger puppets, street art workshops and more. READ MORE

4th of July at the New-York Historical Society

Upper West Side
Thursday, July 4
Celebrate Independence Day with crafts, stories, and history exploration at the New-York Historical Society. Admission is free for all visitors ages 13 and younger. READ MORE

4th of July in Prospect Park

Prospect Park, Brooklyn – FREE
Thursday, July 4
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly programming on Independence Day. Explore the park, meet some resident animals at the Audubon Center, and more.  READ MORE

More Fun Things To Do in NYC this Weekend

Balloon Story at the Park Avenue Armory

Upper East Side
Opens Wednesday, July 3
Take a magical journey through playful exhibits and interactive installations, where larger-than-life, eco-friendly balloon sculptures come to life. READ MORE

Seaport Kids Music Fest & Beach Fest Weekend

South Street Seaport – FREE
Thursday, July 4-Sunday, July 7
Seaport Beach Fest transforms the neighborhood into a four-day coastal oasis with live music performances, pop-up bars and food trucks, and a giant sandbox. The highlight for families is Saturday, July 6, when Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents program the Seaport Kids x Music Fest with free music, activities, and fun for the whole family.  READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Manhattan

Multiple Locations – FREE
Friday, July 5
Stars onscreen and in the sky! Cuddle up on a blanket with a pizza or picnic and catch a free kid-friendly flick. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Manhattan parks all summer long. READ MORE

Family First Saturday: Library Tour and Story Time at the Morgan

Midtown East
Saturday, July 6
Enjoy a family tour of the exhibition Crafting the Ballets Russes: The Robert Owen Lehman Collection, followed by a picture book storytime of When Langston Dances, written by Kaija Langley and illustrated by Keith Mallett. READ MORE

Big Umbrella Day at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side – FREE
Saturday, July 6
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

Seedling Saturdays: Bloom at Rockefeller Center

Midtown West
Saturday, July 6
Dive into a world of engaging and fun-filled activities that celebrate the amazing journey of a seed as it grows and transforms. Kids—and parents—can jump in Bloom's famed mushroom bounce house and dive in the ball pit. Face painting, flower crown making, entertainment, and more await. READ MORE

A Midsummer Night's Dream in Marcus Garvey Park

Harlem – FREE
Opens Saturday, July 6
Set at the height of the Harlem Renaissance, the Classical Theatre of Harlem's production of Shakespeare's most accessible comedy explores the tale of four young lovers, a troupe of rude mechanicals, and mischievous fairies, all embroiled in romantic chaos within the mystical forest.  READ MORE

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

Riverdale, the Bronx
Saturday, July 6-Sunday, July 7
Celebrate Frida Kahlo’s birthday by creating self-portraits featuring nature. READ MORE

Cosmos Cirque at the Staten Island Children's Museum

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Sunday, July 7
Cosmos Cirque demonstrates aerial arts and acrobatics, and includes the audience in basic stretching moves.   READ MORE

Choreograph the Future: NextGen Ignites at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side – FREE
Sunday, July 7
Teenage dancemakers delve into the fundamentals of choreography, working closely with esteemed professional choreographers who lead them toward devising a dynamic, original work—performed live on Josie Robertson Plaza. READ MORE

Staten Island Philharmonic: Happy Birthday America at Conference House

Tottenville, Staten Island – FREE
Sunday, July 7
Conference House Association presents a FREE outdoor concert from the Staten Island Philharmonic—a 40-piece wind ensemble. READ MORE

Declare Independence: Tear Down the King at Old Stone House

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Sunday, July 7
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

Ferox Ninja Park

Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Through Monday, September 9
Ferox Ninja Park is the biggest professional ninja training facility on the East Coast for adults and kids. Its 40,000+ square feet include ninja warrior courses and obstacles, the biggest pro calisthenics set up in New York City, a modular parkour setup designed for people of any skill level, a massive trampoline arena, and a full-size cafe and juice bar. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

P.S. 26 and Showplace Entertainment Center
Coney Island Beach & Boardwalk
New York Historical Society DiMenna Children's History Museum
Various locations
Rockefeller Center - Rink Level