Fourth of July 2024: 13 ways to celebrate in Brooklyn and beyond

By Joshua Encinias

You don’t have to leave Brooklyn to celebrate Independence Day… but you may have to if you want to see Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks display.

Macy’s will launch their fireworks from the Hudson River for the first time in 10 years on Thursday. Previously they were launched from the East River, giving Brooklyn a good view of the spectacle.

Those with rooftop access in Northwest Brooklyn might have a view of Manhattan’s fireworks, but your best bet to see fireworks in Brooklyn is to forget about Macy’s and see the display at Coney Island.

You can take a Coney Island-bound F, D, N, or Q train to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue for the 9:45 p.m. show at Steeplechase Park.

Fireworks aren’t the only way to celebrate, of course. Below we list the best nights out around Brooklyn to celebrate the mid-week holiday.

Wednesday, July 3

Fourth of July Celebrations at Westlight at The William Vale
July 3 and 4, doors opening at 5 p.m. on both days
Westlight atop The William Vale presents its annual Gospël Tribe experience for epic Independence Day celebrations on July 3 and 4. Dance the night away over live DJ sets featuring Carlita, Amémé, Rome and DeRoos on the 23rd-floor rooftop decks, while Monobase and Milo spin up electronic and house beats on the 22nd-floor open-air floor over sunset views of Manhattan. Guests can also have a decadent dinner by James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini of NoHo Hospitality with special summer cocktails. General Admission tickets can be purchased here, starting at $59.49 per person for presale, and table reservations can be made here.

‘Tomb Raider’ in Prospect Park
6 p.m., movie starts at sundown
Brooklyn Magazine, in partnership with Paramount+ and BSE Global, continues our “Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn” summer series with “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in Prospect Park. See the full summer lineup here. All showtimes are at sunset but come early with your friends and kids to scope out a spot. New for this year, complimentary popcorn is available for attendees at each screening with proof of event RSVP confirmation, which can be completed online at www.bkmag.com/movies (first-come, first-served, while supplies last).

Bushwhacked Comedy Show: George W. Bushwhacked
7 to 9 p.m.
Bushwhacked is back at Sleepwalk on July 3rd, or Fourth of July Eve, for a standup comedy celebration of “the greatest American president ever, George W. Bush” (their words, not ours). See standup comedy from a lineup including Rachel Coster (Boy Room), Patrick Doran (Podcast About List), Tej Khanna (Chicken Big Improv), Isaiah Crawford (The Isaiah Crawford Show), Julia Barnard (Status Mic), Sean Peecook (Manhattan Mic) and a special guest (could it actually be George W. Bush??). 251 Bushwick Avenue. Tickets are $7.

Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
7 p.m.
What’s more American than baseball, Cracker Jack and hot dogs? The Brooklyn Cyclones will have all in droves when they play the Hudson Valley Renegades on Wednesday evening. In celebration of Coney Island being the Hot Dog Capital of the World, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a bobblehead of Joey Chestnut, (former) Hot Dog King of Coney Island. Plus, the team is playing as the Coney Island Franks on Wednesday night. But that’s not all: stick around after the game for a pre-July 4 fireworks display! 1904 Surf Avenue Brooklyn. Tickets start at $24.

Thursday, July 4

Fireworks cruises
Because the Brooklyn views of Macy’s fireworks display have limited visibility this year, you might want to book a cruise to watch them from the water. Here are a few options:

• Family Fireworks Cruise on the Liberty Belle. Experience up-close views of Macy’s world-famous fireworks show aboard the Liberty Belle. This family-friendly cruise has cocktails, dancing to tunes spun by their live DJ and sightseeing the New York City skyline from their open decks. Pier 36, 299 South Street New York. Tickets start at $223.
• Horizon’s Edge Yacht July 4th Fireworks Cruise. Enjoy Independence Day aboard the mega-yacht, Horizon’s Edge. Enjoy their BBQ buffet while taking in views ranging from the Liberty Tower to the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. Tickets start at $269.
• July 4th dinner cruise with open bar. If you want to drop a mint on a Fireworks cruise then do we have the boat for you. NYC Water Cruises operates nightly and has a reputation for its 6-course dinners, and it’s only going to cost you $429! Pier 36, 299 South Street.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thousands of fans will convene on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to watch the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest on Thursday. Millions more watch the ESPN telecast of the contest. World champ Joey Chestnut won’t be there, so it’s anyone’s game. 1310 Surf Avenue. Free.

Fourth of July Holiday in Prospect Park
12 to 5 p.m.
Join Prospect Park Alliance for family-friendly events on the Fourth of July at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. Learn about the park’s butterflies, their life cycle and how they help plants at the Butterfly Watch from 12 to 3 p.m. Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection for Animal Encounters. The Alliance Naturalist host Nature on the Go activities to explore the park and learn about the nature around us from 3 to 4 p.m. And be sure to have a ride on the Carousel, with children’s tickets only costing $3. 101 East Drive. Free.

4th of July Celebration at Superior Ingredients Rooftop
3 to 11 p.m.
The July 4th rooftop extravaganza at Superior Ingredients rolls out the red, white and blue carpet to welcome all nightlife partiers to celebrate America’s birthday on Thursday. You won’t be able to see Macy’s fireworks from their rooftop this year, but they’re planning to have you sip and dance the night away while enjoying a host of nightlife party amenities. 74 Wythe. Tickets are $29.

Red, White and Rosé Party at Brooklyn Winery
3 to 6 p.m.
Enjoy your day off with a bottomless glass of wine in hand and access to three hours of an open wine bar with a lineup of the winery’s favorite reds, whites and rosés, Rosé Sangria & Aperol Spritz cocktails and Brooklyn Lager & Summer Ale. Tickets include a food and dessert menu you can find linked above. 61 Guernsey Street. Tickets are $90.

July 4th at Harriet’s Rooftop
5 p.m. to midnight
Celebrate the Fourth of July at Harriet’s Rooftop. Enjoy a cocktail, views of the city and DJ sets from Arianna Danae, Blu Detiger and TYLERFROMWHERE. Take in the panoramic views for the ‘gram and sip the night away. 60 Furman Street. Tickets are $64.

Coney Island Fireworks
9:45 p.m.
The best Fourth of July fireworks aren’t on the Hudson — they’re at Coney Island. On Thursday, catch the display starting at 9:45 p.m. anywhere on the Riegelmann Boardwalk. The ideal viewing locations are between West 10th Street and West 23rd Street. Fireworks will continue at Coney Island every Friday until the end of summer (on a smaller scale). Steeplechase Park, 1739 Riegelmann Boardwalk. Free.