Fireworks & Things To Do 4th of July Weekend with Your Family

Cookouts, fireworks, and flag-waving! July 4th—when we celebrate Independence Day—is a festive time meant to celebrate our country and all its freedoms. Since more and more people feel comfortable being outdoors, we’ve compiled a list of activities to do for the Red, White, and Blue! Keep traditions alive or start new ones—no matter what you choose, there are plenty of things to do on the Fourth of July. One thing’s for sure though, the Independence Day celebrations must include a viewing of a fireworks display. Check out your town’s local Facebook page to see if there are any in your area—or browse our roundup of Fourth of July events in NYC and nearby. If not, the NYC fireworks are just a hop, skip and a jump! Whatever you choose to do during the day, snuggle in at night before bedtime to read a book about Independence Day with your kids.

For even more summer activity ideas, read and download the Summer Family Fun Guide today!

8 Things to Do on the Fourth of July

Make patriotic-themed desserts.

Events are just better when there’s a theme, don’t you think? Make and bake desserts that are red, white, and blue—a perfect match to our nation’s flag! Think red velvet cake, blueberry and raspberry pie, whipped cream and strawberries. Michael’s offers an online class for the older kids to make Patriotic Cookies, so that’s a pretty cool option to have the family do together. 

Go camping…in your yard.

If you can’t take the time to go actual camping (or if you quite honestly have no desire), improvise and make it happen in your yard. Build or buy a fire pit, make s’mores with the family, and tell fun stories. It’s a great way to bond. Kick the evening up a notch with sparklers!

Go all out on July 4th crafts.

Tell the story of America’s independence while exercising creativity. Kids can make their own flags out of buttons, paint a flower pot for a new planting, or tie-dye white shirts with red and blue colors. Stores like JOANN Fabrics and Michael’s will have a lot of options for you. We’re loving these DIY USA Flag Glasses you can do on your own time or this Pennant Flag class you can take online with a group.

Check out local museums.

If you’re in and around the city, kid-friendly museums in NYC and nearby will remain open around the long weekend and have plenty of exhibits for the family to explore. Specifically, the New-York Historical Society invites families to celebrate Independence Day with trivia and a cook-along. 

Take a drive to Philadelphia.

Why not celebrate America in America’s birthplace? Philadelphia’s annual Fourth of July festival is back to an in-person format this year. This 16-day festival will have a stunning firework display, concerts, and lots of other activities with partnering organizations and museums. 

Take a hike or ride a bike.

Stay active, out, and about! It’s easier to slump on the couch and watch TV when the family has a day off, but it’s much more memorable to get outdoors and explore. Create memories with a family-friendly hike or a scenic bike ride.

Watch the Macy’s 45th Annual 4th of July Fireworks!

These NYC fireworks are a tradition for the tri-state area. This year, it’s back! There will be vaccinated and unvaccinated sections (welcome to 2021), plus a live broadcast for those who want to catch it from home. It takes place over the East River with five barges in Midtown. The show begins around 9:30pm and is about 25 minutes long.

Go to the New Jersey State Fair at Meadowlands

This popular family event features many rides, entertainment, open-air thrill shows, games and prizes, and lots of food. The state fair is situated next to MetLife Stadium and runs June 18-July 11. They’ll have a fireworks show on the evening of July 3 and 4 at dusk. (P.S. Now’s the perfect time to plan other summer fair and festival outings!)

July 4th Fireworks, Parades, and More in the NY Metro Area

Click on your region below to jump to those events

• Manhattan
• Brooklyn
• Queens
• Westchester County
• Long Island

July 4 Fireworks in NYC

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks
WHEN: July 4, 8pm on NBC; 9:25pm fireworks begin
WHERE: Watch on NBC or see them in person along the FDR Drive
WHAT: The 45th Annual Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks will illuminate the Big Apple skyline with an electrifying light show full of bursting colors, jubilant music, & feeling of positivity. This year, they are honoring America's everyday heroes from communities across the country and the resilient spirit within us all. The display will last about 25 minutes and feature 65,000 shells and effects. The NBC special will feature performances by Reba McEntire, Coldplay, Black Pumas, and more. Tune in to 1010 WINS for the accompanying musical score.
WANT TO GO? Viewing will be available for verified, fully vaccinated spectators on elevated portions of the FDR Drive in Manhattan with entry points at East 23rd, East 34th & East 42nd Streets. ADA/Special Needs public viewing for verified, fully vaccinated spectators will be accessible at the East 34th Street entry point. Public viewing for non-vaccinated spectators will be available along portions of the Queens, Brooklyn & Manhattan waterfronts.

Red, White & Blue Cupcakes Class
WHEN: July 3, 9-10am
WHERE: Taste Buds Kitchen, 109 W. 27th St., 10th Floor, Chelsea
AGE: 2-8 with an adult
WHAT: Show your USA pride and whip up perfectly patriotic Red, White and Blue Cupcakes completely from scratch! Plain old vanilla? Bore-ring! Bring on the pizzazz, the color, the fireworks! Come cook and learn how to make an oh-so-delicious cupcake with patriotic colors in the cake. Dying to know how? Become a budding chef as you discover some delicious secrets!
WANT TO GO? $50 per child and adult. Advanced registration required. This menu is vegetarian.

Tie Dye July
WHEN: Saturdays in July, plus July 4-5, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Children's Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
WHAT: In collaboration with Bombas and Rit Dye, CMOM is excited to present Tie Dye July, which invites kids to design their own socks and t-shirts in red, white, and blue— and the rest of the rainbow too! Families can visit CMOM’s Tie Dye July station as part of their two-hour session tickets. Children can take home their custom styles, in a CMOM-provided travel carrier, to wear as a reminder of the power of their self-expression.
WANT TO GO? $15; $12 seniors 65 and older and visitors with a disability. Advanced Registration Required.

Independence Day @ Home with DCHM
WHEN: July 4, 11am
WHERE: The DiMenna Children’s History Museum, Online
WHAT: Celebrate food and family with DCHM this 4th of July! Explore historical and family recipes as well as Independence Day trivia during this cook-along. From (veggie) burgers to 19th-century ice cream to dumplings, share this gratitude for the rich array of foods families make when they gather.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required. See website for ingredients list and supplies needed.

NYC 4th of July Brunch Cruise 2021
WHEN: July 4, 12-2pm
WHERE: Event Cruises NYC, 299 South St, New York
WHAT: Looking for a special way to celebrate 4th of July this year? Join Event Cruises NYC on the water for Fourth of July Brunch, where you'll get to enjoy bottomless Mimosas and a delicious four-course brunch with the best skyline view of Manhattan. Remember to dress up with your patriotic accessories and capture all the memorable moments as the vessel sails by the iconic NYC spots, including the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge and more. 
WANT TO GO? Prices start at $99 per person. Advanced registration required.