How to watch 4th of July fireworks on TV: Best shows celebrating America’s 250th
If it’s too hot for you to be outside watching local fireworks in person, cozy up on the couch with the A/C blasting (or at least get under a cool fan) and watch some of the biggest fireworks shows in history from New York City, Washington, D.C. and more.
For America’s 250th birthday, the displays are bound to be extraordinary.
Here’s how to watch all the celebrations on Saturday. All listed times are EDT.
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular - NYC (8 p.m. Saturday, NBC)
Live from New York City, this year’s show — Macy’s 50th — is the largest in its history. Expect a 27-minute firework display with 85,000 shells in 30 different colors fired from the Brooklyn Bridge plus barges in the East River and lower Hudson River. There’s also a laser show from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Before the fireworks, slated for around 9:25 p.m., see musical performances by Post Malone, Noah Kahan, Shaboozey, Bebe Rexha, Blake Shelton, Salt-N-Pepa and Alexia Jayy.
The Great American Block Party 250 - Washington, D.C. (8 p.m. Saturday, CBS)
A celebration of America’s 250th birthday with the largest fireworks show in history. Performances by Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls and The War and Treaty and more. Hosted by Tony Dokoupil and Nischelle Turner.
While anchored from D.C., the show will check in on celebrations in New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Charleston, Mount Rushmore, Fort Campbell (Ky) and the formal opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
Disney Celebrates America - Nashville (8 p.m. Saturday, ABC and Disney)
This special kicks off on Friday and airs across all Disney platforms, including Disney+, Hulu and ESPN.
David Muir anchors the cross-country coverage hitting all 50 states, with Ryan Seacrest hosting a giant concert in Nashville, featuring Reba McEntire, Nick Jonas, Tim McGraw and Boyz II Men.
They’ll show fireworks from across the country, including a big show from Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together - Williamsburg, Va. (8 p.m. Saturday, PBS)
This PBS special includes historical vignettes mixed with performances from Michael Feinstein, Ryan Speedo Green, Kelli O’Hara, Adrienne Warren and Judy Collins. The United States Air Force Heritage of America Band will also perform, and there’s a special message from documentarian Ken Burns.
The special ends with a synchronized light show of drones forming American symbols and the largest fireworks display in Colonial Williamsburg’s history.
- Also: PBS usually airs “A Capital Fourth” from D.C. on July 4th, but this year, that special will air on Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m. EDT. Performers include Trace Adkins, Patti LaBelle, Chicago, Alan Jackson, Carly Pearce, Kool & The Gang and the National Symphony Orchestra.
The Fourth in America: Celebrating 250 - Washington, D.C. (8 p.m. Saturday, CNN)
CNN celebrates America’s 250th birthday with coast-to-coast coverage. There’s a big concert with Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Smashing Pumpkins and Chaka Khan, then a look at fireworks from across the country. They’ll check in on historical cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Colonial Williamsburg.
- Also: America’s favorite New Year’s Eve Duo — Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen — team up for a countdown special from Times Square, “Independence Eve Live: Celebrating 250,” on Friday at 8 p.m. And yes, there’s a midnight ball drop.
America 250: Celebrating Freedom (7 p.m. Saturday, Fox News)
Bret Baier, Harris Faulkner, Sean Hannity, Brian Kilmeade and Dana Perino host this special from the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The special includes a look at historic events on the Mall, along with a massive pyrotechnics display and live-streamed moments from patriotic locations like Mount Rushmore and Philadelphia.
This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How to watch 4th of July fireworks on TV: Best shows celebrating America’s 250th."
