How to watch Fourth of July fireworks: streaming or broadcast TV

Fourth of July fireworks over Washington, D.C.
(Image credit: Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

There's no better way to end your Fourth of July celebration than by watching some fireworks. And no matter where you are, you can watch some of the biggest firework displays in the country on TV as multiple channels are hosting their own Fourth of July fireworks specials.

HTW Fourth of July fireworks

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks: NBC (live TV streaming services)| Peacock
A Capitol Fourth: PBS (live TV streaming services) | Facebook
The Fourth in America: CNN (live TV streaming services | Max

While most towns will have their own firework celebrations for the Fourth, these TV broadcasts — including the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Special on NBC, A Capitol Fourth on PBS and The Fourth in America on CNN — feature special guests and musical performances to elevate the proceedings. At the very least it's good to have these as a backup option in case the weather doesn't work out in your area.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Fourth of July fireworks broadcasts:

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024

Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks poster

(Image credit: Macy's)

What time is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024? 

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024 begins live at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT. The broadcast will be taped and delayed for the west coast, with it airing at 8 pm PT. 

If you missed it live there will be an encore presentation immediately after the original broadcast ends at 10 pm ET/PT.

What channel is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024 on?

NBC once again is airing the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Special, but the broadcast is also going to stream on NBCUniversal's streaming platform, Peacock

How to watch Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024

With the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks airing on NBC, a traditional pay-TV provider, TV antenna or a live TV streaming service that carries NBC (Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV) will allow you to watch the broadcast on your local NBC station.

If you've cut the cord to these services, you can also stream the broadcast live on Peacock, as long as you subscribe to Peacock Premium Plus ($11.99 per month), which gives you access to the live NBC channel.

Where is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024? 

The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks showcase is put on by New York City. Specifically, the fireworks are being launched from the Hudson River.

Who is hosting the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024? 

Helping emcee the special broadcast is Grammy-nominated country singer Mickey Guyton and American Ninja Warrior sideline reporter Zuri Hall. 

Who is performing at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2024? 

In addition to the fireworks, Macy's 4th of July Fireworks is going to feature a number of performances from popular musicians. This year the lineup includes:

  • Tanner Adell
  • Mark Ambor
  • Brandy Clark
  • Luis Fonsi
  • Mickey Guyton
  • Amber Mark
  • The War and Treaty
  • Lainey Wilson

During the fireworks display, there will be a custom 25-minute musical score that features many summertime classics, including remixes of patriotic anthems and contemporary hits. 

A Capitol Fourth 2024

A Capitol Fourth logo

(Image credit: PBS)

What time is A Capitol Fourth 2024?

A Capitol Fourth 2024 begins at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT and is set to last for 90 minutes. An encore presentation then airs immediately at 9:30 pm ET/8:30 pm CT. 

What channel is A Capitol Fourth 2024 on?

PBS is the broadcast home of A Capitol Fourth 2024, but the fireworks special is also going to be available to watch on the PBS website, the PBS YouTube Channel, the PBS app and A Capitol Fourth Facebook page

How to watch A Capitol Fourth 2024

PBS is available to just about all households with a traditional TV or for those who are signed up for live TV streaming services like Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. You can also watch for free on PBS.org, the PBS App (after creating a login) or A Capitol Fourth Facebook page. 

Where is A Capitol Fourth 2024?

As the name suggests, A Capitol Fourth 2024 showcases the fireworks display that takes place right outside the US Capitol building in Washington, D.C. 

Who is hosting A Capitol Fourth 2024?

As he has for the last few years, Alfonso Ribeiro is set to host the A Capitol Fourth 2024 broadcast. Riberio is best known for his time playing Carlton on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also hosts Dancing with the Stars. 

Who is performing at A Capitol Fourth 2024?

There is a plethora of performers set for A Capitol Fourth 2024, both individuals and bands of military branches and other organizations. Here is a full list of the performers: 

  • Loren Allred
  • Darren Criss
  • Sheila E.
  • Fantasia
  • Fitz & Noelle from Fitz and the Tantrums
  • Chloe Flower
  • Shawn Johnson East
  • Smokey Robinson
  • Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary
  • Britt Stewart
  • The National Symphony Orchestra
  • The Choral Arts Society of Washington
  • Patrick Lundy & the Ministers of Music
  • The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”
  • The US Army Herald Trumpets
  • The US Army Chorus
  • United States Army Presidential Salute Battery
  • The Military Disctrict of Washington

Conductor Jack Everly is going to be conducting the bands and choirs.

The Fourth in America

The Fourth in America 2024 poster

(Image credit: CNN)

What time is The Fourth in America?

Live coverage of The Fourth in America begins at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT and runs through 1 am ET/10 pm PT. 

What channel is The Fourth in America on?

CNN is the network behind The Fourth in America special, with the special airing on the cable news channel as well as on CNN International and streaming on Max via the CNN Max tab on the streaming service. 

How to watch The Fourth in America

CNN is a cable channel, though it is offered by most traditional TV providers. It is also available by signing up for live TV streaming services, including Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

You can also stream the fireworks special if you are a Max subscriber (either subscription), as CNN Max is a special section available on the streaming service.

Where is The Fourth in America?

Instead of focusing on just one city, CNN is going to be showing Fourth of July celebrations across the country with its The Fourth in America broadcast. 

Fireworks displays to be shown include Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Niagara Falls, N.Y., New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego, Seward, Alaska, and Washington, D.C.

Who is hosting The Fourth in America?

CNN anchors Dana Bash and Boris Sanchez lead the broadcast from Washington, D.C., with fellow CNN anchors and correspondents Victor Blackwell and Sara Sidner also helping out from San Diego.

Who is performing on The Fourth in America?

Here is the slate of musical performers set to appear as part of The Fourth in America broadcast:

  • Ashanti
  • Bleachers
  • Boys Like Girls
  • Kane Brown
  • En Vogue
  • The Goo Goo Dolls
  • The Kid LAROI
  • The Killers
  • Ben Platt
  • REO Speedwagon
  • Bebe Rexha
  • T-Pain
  • Keith Urban
  • Yellowcard
  • Chris Young

There will also be a special performance from the United States Air Force Band.

The Big Independence Day Special

Fox News The Big Independence Day Special promo image

(Image credit: Fox News)

What time is The Big Independence Day Special?

The Big Independence Day Special begins live at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT and will last for two hours.

What channel is The Big Independence Day Special on?

The Big Independence Day Special is Fox News' Fourth of July celebration, so you can tune in to it on the cable news channel.

How to watch The Big Independence Day Special

Fox News Channel is available on most traditional cable TV packages, as well as the big four live TV streaming services: Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.

Where is The Big Independence Day Special?

The Fox News special is going to take place at Fox Square in New York City, but will also showcase fireworks displays from Washington, D.C., Bristol, Rhode Island, and Asbury Park, N.J.

Who is hosting The Big Independence Day Special?

Fox News co-hosts Carley Shimkus, Lawrence Jones, Aishah Hasnie and Johnny Joey Jones are handling hosting duties for The Big Independence Day Special.

Who is performing on The Big Independence Day Special?

The special will feature musical performances from country music artist Frank Ray. There will also be patriotic messages from veterans and viewers throughout the broadcast.

Michael Balderston

Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.