How to Watch Some of America’s Best Fourth of July Fireworks From Anywhere Online
From the annual Macy's extravaganza to PBS' A Capitol Fourth celebration, you can grab a front-row seat at America's best Fourth of July spectaculars from your own Independence Day soirée.
Plus Icon
Danielle Directo-Meston
E-Commerce Editor
More Stories by Danielle
- You Want Those Tattoos From ‘The Bear’? Call Benny Shields
- The Best 4K Smart TVs for Watching Live Sports
- Best Face Forward: Hollywood’s 20 Best Skin Secrets & Beauty Biohacks
July 3, 2024 2:18pm
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Add us as a Google Preferred Source
PBS' 2019 A Capitol Fourth performance in Washington, D.C. PBS
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Cities across the U.S. are celebrating Independence Day in full force in 2024 with some of their most extravagant special effects-filled displays yet. But if you’re not ready to brave big crowds for a prime spot, or you prefer to watch from your own poolside or backyard soirée, you can grab a front-row seat by watching some of the best Fourth of July fireworks events on your TV, tablet or smartphone (or even your outdoor projector).
Ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the top July 4 spectaculars around the U.S. that are available to watch with or without cable, plus how to stream them at home.
Related Stories
Lola Blankets' Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood's Most Coveted Throws
The 5 Best Home Projectors for Movie Buffs, From 4K to Portable Picks
How to Livestream Fourth of July Fireworks Shows Online
Some of the best July 4 fireworks shows air on local affiliate broadcast channels or national networks, and you can watch them online with any live TV streaming service that offers those networks. If you’re looking to cut the cord from your traditional cable provider, here are a few of the best cable streamers to consider (including some offering free trials).
DIRECTV
best streaming service overall
DirecTV Stream
Packages from $69.99 per month
DirecTV Stream lets you watch over 65 other channels under its Entertainment package ($65 monthly), including CBS, BBC, CNN, CNBC and more. Other plans ($85 to $155 monthly) offer over 90 to 140 channels and subscribers can connect via DirecTV’s Gemini device (requires an existing internet connection) or satellite dish (Gemini device and HD DVR equipment included, existing internet connection required). For a limited time, new customers get a price guarantee for their first two years and up to a $240 Visa gift card.
Fubo
Best Value
Fubo
Packages from $79.99 per month
Watch more than 180 other news, entertainment and sports channels with a subscription to Fubo, which starts at $79.99 per month for the Pro package. You can record over 1,000 hours of TV shows, movies, games and more (including Monday, Thursday and Sunday night football) and watch later on your smartphone, tablet or TV.
Other plans include the Elite package (255 channels for $89.99 monthly) and the Premier tier that comes with 264 channels, NFL RedZone, Showtime and 4K quality for $99.99 monthly. The online TV streaming service offers a seven-day trial for new subscribers, so you can technically watch your favorite July 4 fireworks shows online for free during that period.
Hulu
best live tv streaming bundle
Hulu + Live TV
Packages from $76.99 per month
Get Hulu + live TV, disney+ & ESPN+
Stream Fourth of July fireworks shows airing on your local cable channels online with Hulu + Live TV, which is offering a three-day free trial. It comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+ starting at $76.99 per month with ads, and offers ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox, NBC and 90 other major cable news, entertainment and sports channels. You’ll also get access to live streaming and events on ESPN+, like UFC Fight Night, PGA golf, soccer and baseball. Get even more sports with the Sports Add-On package ($9.99 per month) that includes NFL RedZone, Tennis Channel, MAVTV, TVG and more.
NBCUniversal
best for streaming nbc
Peacock
Packages from $5.99 per month
Stream the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show through Peacock’s ad-supported Premium tier ($5.99 per month or $59.99 annually) or the ad-free Premium Plus package ($11.99 per month or $119.99 per year).
Both plans include 80,000 hours of TV show episodes and movies, live sports and events and over 50 channels. However, only the Premium Plus option includes no ads (except for select live TV shows), your local NBC channel and the ability to download and watch select titles offline.
ExpressVPN
Best for watching from outside of the u.s.
ExpressVPN
If you’re located outside of the U.S. and want to access your live TV streaming account, you can use a virtual private network (VPN) such as ExpressVPN to watch the fireworks internationally. The service costs $7 to $13 per month and lets you log into high-speed servers across more than 90 countries while keeping your data private and secure, and new subscribers get three free months; learn more here.
Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks (New York)
Fireworks explode behind the Empire State Building during the 47th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display in 2023. Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images
When Thursday, July 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. PT/8 to 10 p.m. ET
Where Fireworks will be launched from barges along the Hudson River, with public viewing points through Manhattan and New Jersey; see map here.
What Arguably one of the biggest Independence Day spectaculars, the 48th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show will light up the Big Apple skyline from the Hudson River with “larger-than-life pyrotechnics and a salute to the American spirit.” The spectacular will feature performances by Brandy Clark, Luis Fonsi, Mickey Guyton, Jason Howland, Amber Mark, The War and Treaty and Lainey Wilson.
Watch at home Tun in to NBC on TV, stream on Peacock or log into your TV provider account at NBC.com to watch online.
Stream Macy’s 4th of July fireworks on peacock
A Capitol Fourth 2024 Fireworks Show (Washington, D.C.)
When Thursday, July 4 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET; repeat airing at 9:30 p.m. ET on most stations
Where West Lawn at the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
What Free and open to the public, the annual A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS and will be hosted by Alfonso Ribiero. Performers include Smokey Robinson, Fantasia, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz and the Tantrums’ Fitz and Noelle, Chloe Flower, Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary, Loren Allred, Shawn Johnson East, Britt Stewart, the National Symphony Orchestra, the United States Army Band and more. The dress rehearsal is on July 3 at 3 p.m. local time and also open to the public.
Watch or listen at home You can hear the audio on your local National Public Radio station, and you can watch the show live online on PBS’ Facebook page, YouTube channel and website. Those who want to relive the extravaganza can watch it on-demand from July 4 to 18; get more details here.
2024 Boston Pops Spectacular Concert (Boston)
When Thursday, July 4, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET; fireworks start at 10:30 p.m. ET
Where Charles River at the CDR Hatch Shell, 47 David G. Mugar Way; Boston, MA 02108. The fireworks can be seen on both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river.
What At this year’s free Boston Pops July 4th Spectacular, conductors Keith Lockhart and John Williams will lead the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. Guest performers include Darlene Love, the Mavericks and Kelli O’Hara. Get more info here.
Watch or listen at home Virtual attendees can watch live on Bloomberg TV or listen in on Bloomberg Radio; locals can watch on WHDH-TV.
2024 Big Bay Boom (San Diego)
San Diego’s Big Bay Boom fireworks show in 2018 Big Bay Boom
When Thursday, July 4, at 9 p.m. PT
Where San Diego Bay
What California’s largest fireworks show at San Diego’s Big Bay Boom can be seen in-person at six locations surrounding the barges.
Watch or listen at home Golden State locals and out-of-towners with streaming access can watch the festivities live from 8 to 9:30 p.m. PT on Fox 5 in San Diego and KTLA 5 in Los Angeles; get more details on delayed broadcasts and more here.
Read More About:
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
More from The Hollywood Reporter
-
Book to Scream: How Universal Orlando’s Halloween Event Embraced Horror’s Literary Roots for 35 Years
-
Lola Blankets’ Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood’s Most Coveted Throws
-
Heidi Klum Reveals This Year’s (Very Bloody) Halloween Costume
-
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
-
The 5 Best Home Projectors for Movie Buffs, From 4K to Portable Picks
-
From Beard-Grooming Kits to Brain-Teasing Puzzles, Here Are 20 of the Best Christmas Gifts for Husbands
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Most Popular
Michael Douglas Shares Update on Jack Nicholson: “He’s Well. He Has Disappeared”
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
“Viewer Fatigue” Hitting Fox News Ratings, Lachlan Murdoch Says
‘Klara and the Sun’ Director Taika Waititi Calls Critics “Sad Lost Souls” Over Negative Reviews
Netflix’s New Releases Coming in November 2026
Martha Stewart Responds to Backlash Over Halloween Costume Depicting Homeless Person: “Never My Intention”
‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Cast Reacts to Show’s Cancellation: “There’s So Many More Stories to Tell”
Must Reads
Sacha Baron Cohen Gets Real About Backlash, Death Threats and Resurrecting Ali G
By Lacey Rose
The Emancipation of Charli D’Amelio: How the TikTok Queen Took Back Her Life