The Fourth of July is synonymous with barbecues, wearing red, white and blue and, of course, fireworks. Capping America's Independence Day with a show full of these bursts of color is a summer must. While just about every town has a fireworks show that you can enjoy in person, some of the biggest firework displays for the Fourth of July are going to be shown on TV.
The marquee fireworks displays are going to be Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular from New York City and A Capitol Fourth 2022 from Washington, D.C., but CNN and Fox News are also airing their own Independence Day specials featuring fireworks. Not only are these broadcasts going to light up these cities’ skies with an incredible display of fireworks, but they are also going to feature a number of performances from big name celebrities and musicians.
Here is everything you need to know about the special Fourth of July broadcasts, from who is performing to how to watch.
The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
What time is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks?
The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks airs live at 8 pm ET; it will air on tape delay at 8 pm PT for those on the west coast.
The special lasts for two hours.
What channel is the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on?
NBC is carrying the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks on national TV, with Peacock also streaming the broadcast.
The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks performances
The holiday special is hosted by Hot Wheels: The Ultimat Challenge's Rutledge Wood and Access Hollywood's Zuri Hall.
Here is the lineup of performers for the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks:
- Ashanti
- Bebe Rexha
- Ja Rule
- Jelly Roll
- Lainey Wilson
- LL Cool J, featuring DJ Z-Tip & The Roots
- The US Army Field Band and Soldier's Chorus
- Sgt. 1st Class Kyra Dorn
- Staff Sgts. Lamar Riddick & Nicholas Feemster
- Brett Young with Amanda Shaw and the Harlem School of the Arts Dorothy Maynor Singers
- Jazmine Sullivan
In addition to the performances, special segments are going to feature Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), George & Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez season 1) and Raymond Lee (Quantum Leap season 1). There will also be appearances by the non-profit group Dance to Unite and Team USA Gymnasts, including Jordan Chiles, Konnor McClain and Shilese Jones.
Other parts of the program include a flyover by the US Navy along the west coast at the Pebble Beach Golf Course. The pilots are going to be all women, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of women flying in the Navy.
The show will end with an effect that honors the late Tina Turner.
How to watch the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks
With the special airing on NBC, it is available to just about every TV household nationwide. Anyone with a pay-TV cable subscription or a TV antenna receives their local NBC station, while many live TV streaming services, including FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV carry NBC as part of their channel lineup.
And if you have cut the cord from any and all of these services, then you can stream the event on Peacock.
A Capitol Fourth 2022
What time is A Capitol Fourth 2023?
A Capitol Fourth 2023 begins at 8 pm ET. It then reairs at 9:30 pm ET
What channel is A Capitol Fourth 2023 on?
PBS is the TV home of A Capitol Fourth. It also streams live on YouTube.
A Capitol Fourth 2023 performers
Alfonso Ribeiro (Dancing with the Stars, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) is hosting the annual event. He'll be joined by an all-star list of performers, which you can see below:
- Chicago
- Boyz II Men
- Belinda Carlisle
- Babyface
- Renee Fleming
- Maddie & Tae
- Charles Esten
- The Muppets of Sesame Street
- Adrienne Warren
- Ruthie Ann Miles
- The Broadway cast of A Beautiful Noise, the Neil Diamond Musical
- Northwell Nurse Choir
- Jack Everly
- The National Symphony Orchestra
- The Choral Arts Society of Washington
- Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music
- The Military District of Washington
- The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"
- The US Army Herald Trumpets
- United States Army Presidential Salute Battery
How to watch A Capitol Fourth 2023
PBS is carrying the A Capitol Fourth 2023 broadcast and, like NBC, is available to practically all US TV households. PBS is also streaming the event live on YouTube and through pbs.org. The broadcast is going to be available as video on-demand from July 4-18 in case you aren't able to watch it live but still want to see it.
The Fourth in America
What time is The Fourth in America?
Live coverage begins at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT and runs through 1 am ET/10 pm PT.
What channel is The Fourth in America on?
News network CNN is going to air The Fourth in America on its main TV channel, as well as being available on CNN.com, CNN OTT and mobile apps and CNNgo.
The Fourth in America performers
CNN's Dana Bash, Boris Sanchez, Victor Blackwell and Cari Champion are going to serve as co-hosts from different parts of the country for The Fourth in America. As far as the musical performances, here is the full list:
- Alanis Morrissette
- The All-American Rejects
- Darius Rucker
- Demi Lovato
- Duran Duran
- Flo Rida
- Leon Bridges
- Post Malone
- Sheryl Crow
- Smash Mouth
- Zac Brown Band
- The Plain White T's
- The United States Air Force Band
The broadcast is going to feature fireworks from cities across the country, including:
- Boston
- Chicago
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Houston; Jacksonville
- Nashville
- Niagara Falls
- New Orleans
- New York City
- Philadelphia
- St. Louis
- San Diego
- Seward, Alaska
- Washington, D.C.
How to watch The Fourth in America
CNN is a cable channel, but it is available on most traditional pay-TV cable subscriptions. It is also available through a number of live TV streaming services, including Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. If you subscribe to any of these services, you can also watch the broadcast through CNN.com, CNN OTT and mobile apps or CNNgo.
A Big Independence Day Special
What time is A Big Independence Day Special?
A Big Independence Day Special airs live from 8-10 pm ET.
What channel is A Big Independence Day Special on?
Fox News is the home of A Big Independence Day Special.
A Big Independence Day Special performers
In addition to showing fireworks displays from New York City and Washington, D.C., A Big Independence Day Special is going to feature a musical performance from Katie Linendoll. Other performances are expected but no information was readily available.
How to watch A Big Independence Day Special
Fox News Channel is available on most traditional cable TV packages, as well as the big four live TV streaming services: FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
