2024 4th of July Events and Celebrations in NYC

Staying in town for the 4th? There’s plenty of fun ways to celebrate the holiday right here in NYC. From fireworks and parties to contests and cruises, here's a few festivities to consider adding to your July 4th agenda in 2024.

Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 

Gross? Kinda. Entertaining? Absolutely. The annual contest goes down in Coney Island at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, where 20 or so contestants compete to see how much encased meat they can consume in 10 minutes. Last year, the reigning hot dog guzzling champion once again took home the gold, chowing down 63 hotdogs and buns. Yet a new partnership with rival brand Impossible Foods may jeopardize his eligibility to compete. So, will this be the year Joey Chestnut gets his buns kicked? Or will he even get the chance to extend his winning streak? Well, you’ll have to head to Coney Island to find out. 

Coney Island 4th of July Fireworks 

Come for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, stay for the fireworks. The iconic Coney Island boardwalk is a prime spot to catch pretty lights in the sky, which kick off around 7:00pm.  

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special 

Macy’s Fireworks Special is undoubtedly the highlight of every New Yorker’s 4th of July festivities. This year, fireworks will be held on the west side of Manhattan on the Hudson River, where more than 60,000 fireworks illuminate the night sky for a dazzling 30 minutes. 

Fourth of July NYC Cruise 

If you’re looking for a fun, adventurous alternative to the usual backyard barbeque, check out Event Cruises’ Fourth of July Cruises. With four types of cruises to choose from, you can enjoy a more casual meal or partake in an elevated dining experience. For the brunch cruises, you’ll spend 2 hours enjoying bottomless mimosas and beautiful panoramic views of the city. The dinner cruises, which last 3.5-4 hours, feature a live DJ, open beer and wine bar, and a spectacular view of the city's scattered firework shows. With tickets ranging from $139.00-$449.00, you'll find yourself booking a one-way trip to a one-of-a-kind 4th of July experience. 

4th of July Waterfront Block Party 

For those of you looking to dance the night away, the Waterfront Block Party is the perfect event for you. Every year at the Skyline Drive-In in Greenpoint, an extravagant 21+ outdoor party takes over the Skyline Drive-In in Greenpoint from 3:00pm-10:00pm. GA Tickets (priced at $34.20) grant access to a bash featuring more than six bars, a pop-up beer garden, live music, yard games, various food trucks, and more. VIP tickets (priced at $99.00) come with the additional benefits of an air-cooled lounge and private bars. Headlining this year’s event is DJ Matoma, accompanied by sets by Arizona and Cherub. So if you plan on purchasing a ticket, be prepared for one hell of a party. 

Written by Alexandra Cavallo and Sophia Tazerouni