NYC July 4 Fireworks Guide 2016: Where to Watch on the East River, Macy's 4th of July TV Broadcast, Musical Guests

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Millions will be watching — either on the TV or in person — when the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks are set off over the East River. This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the largest fireworks displays in the country, so it's going to be a big show.

Don't expect to just mosey up to the East River an hour before the show starts. Here's everything you need to know about the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks whether you watch from home or you're going to see the fireworks in person:

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What time does the fireworks display start and where will it be held?

The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks show is taking place in New York's East River this year. Macy's will be shooting off fireworks from five different barges. One barge will be just below the Brooklyn Bridge and the four other barges will be situated in between the Williamsburg Bridge and the Midtown Tunnel. The fireworks display is scheduled to start at 9:25 p.m.

It's Macy's 40th anniversary show, so it's bound to be a big one.

How can people watch the show? Where should people go to see the fireworks in-person?

There are two ways to take in the fireworks display. You can watch on the NBC broadcast which starts at 8 p.m. or you can watch in person.

Macy's is setting up viewing areas around the city for people who want to see the fireworks up close. But make sure to get there early as these spots will get very crowded very quickly. The best way, of course, is to see if you can watch them from an apartment window or rooftop. That way you can avoid the crowd and still get a great view.

Here's a list of Macy's viewing areas:

• FDR Drive and 42nd Street
• FDR Drive and 34th Street (ADA/special needs viewing area)
• Center Boulevard from 48th Avenue to 49th Avenue (ADA/special needs viewing area)
• FDR Drive and 23rd Street
• 16th Street and Avenue C (ADA/special needs viewing area)
• FDR Drive and Houston Street
• Pearl Street and Frankfort Street
• Vietnam Memorial Park (ADA/special needs viewing area)
• Broad Street ground level
• Old Slip upper level
• Furman Street and Old Fulton Street (ADA/special needs viewing area)

How long does the show last? Is there more to the show than fireworks?

The fireworks display is scheduled to last around 25 minutes, but the entire spectacle of the celebration is bound to go on longer. There will be performances from a number of special musical guests including Kenny Chesney, Meghan Trainor, 5 Seconds of Summer, Pitbull and DNCE.

Who will host the TV broadcast?

The Macy's 4th of July TV broadcast will be hosted by TV hosts Willie Geist and Tamron Hall. You have probably seen both co-hosting the third hour of "Today." In addition to hosting "Today" Giest is the host of NBC's Sunday Today and a co-host on MSNBC's political program "Morning Joe." Hall pulls double duty as the anchor of MSNBC's "Live with Tamron Hall."

Will any roads be closed?

The New York City Department of Transportation is shutting down several roads in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn for the duration of the show. So if you're trying to get to a viewing area you should try to use public transportation.

Here's which roads will be closed:

Manhattan:

• FDR Drive between Battery Park Underpass and East 63rd Street
• South Street between Whitehall Street and Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place
• FDR Drive Service Roads between Cherry Street and 63rd Street
• Water Street between Whitehall Street and Fulton Street
• Pearl Street between Fulton Street and Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place
• Whitehall Street, Broad Street and Old Slip between Water Street and South Street
• Robert F. Wagner Sr. Place between Pearl Street and South Street
• Cherry Street between Jackson Street and FDR Drive
• Delancey Street between Lewis Street and FDR Drive
• East Houston Street between Baruch Place and FDR Drive
• Avenue C between 13th Street and Avenue C Entrance Ramp to FDR Drive
• Avenue C Entrance Ramps
• East 6th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• East 10th Street between Avenue D and FDR Drive
• 14th Street between Avenue C and Avenue B
• Avenue C between East 16th Street and East 20th Street
• East 20th Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue C
• East 23rd Street between 1st Avenue and Avenue C
• East 26th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive
• East 30th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive
• 30th Street Entrance Ramps
• East 33rd Street between 1st Avenue and 3rd Avenue
• East 34th Street between 2nd Avenue and FDR Drive
• 34th Street Entrance Ramps
• East 37th Street and East 38th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive
• East 41st Street and East 42nd Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive
• 42nd Street Entrance Ramps
• East 48th Street and East 49th Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive
• East 53rd Street between 1st Avenue and FDR Drive

Brooklyn:

• Area bounded by Atlantic Avenue on the south; Old Fulton Street on the north; Hicks Street on the east; East River on the west (all inclusive)
• Old Fulton Street between Hicks Street and Prospect Street
• Cadman Plaza West between Prospect Street and Tillary Street
• Front Street and Water Street between Old Fulton Street and Jay Street

Queens:

• Area bounded by 44th Drive on the north; Borden Avenue on the south; Vernon Boulevard on the east; East River on the west (all inclusive)
• Center Boulevard between Borden Avenue and 54th Avenue
• 2nd Street between Borden Avenue and Newtown Creek/Dead End
• Vernon Boulevard between 54th Avenue and Newtown Creek/Dead End
• 54th Avenue between Center Boulevard and Vernon Boulevard

[Photo: Shutterstock]