Let freedom ring! Here are the best events in New York City that celebrate the Fourth of July, including historical Independence Day celebrations, where to see fireworks in NYC, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, and—America’s favorite pastime—baseball!
Independence Day at CMOM
WHEN: July 1-5, see website for workshop times
WHERE: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate the 4th with quilt- and firework-themed workshops, plus a performance from Super Sprowtz Live!
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $11; $7 seniors; free for children younger than 1. 212-721-1223. cmom.org.
Fourth of July Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 10am-6pm
WHERE: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, Upper West Side
AGES: All
WHAT: A historic celebration with the Marquis de Lafayette, America’s “French Founding Father.” Kids can go on scavenger hunts, watch performances, and learn how 18th-century cooks made ice cream.
WANT TO GO? Free with museum admission: $19, $15 seniors, educators, and active military; $12 students; free for children 18 and younger on July 4. 212-873-3400. nyhistory.org.
Happy Birthday, America!
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 11am-8pm
WHERE: Fantasy Forest Amusement Park at the Flushing Meadows Carousel, 111th Street and 55th Avenue, Flushing, Queens
AGES: All
WHAT: Start a new holiday tradition and celebrate America at this historic amusement park. Ride the carousel that was created for the 1963 World’s Fair, or the Corona Cobra, the only roller coaster in Queens. Experience the thrill of racing on the Queens Motor Speedway, games, entertainment, and more.
WANT TO GO? Shows are free; rides require tickets. 718-788-2676. fantasyforestnyc.com.
Independence Day
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 11am-8pm; show at 2pm
WHERE: Forest Park Carousel, Woodhaven Boulevard and Forest Park Drive, Woodhaven Park, Queens
AGES: All
WHAT: Looking for some family-friendly fun for the holiday? Don’t miss a performance by Skats the Clown. Combining magic and clownery, Skats makes everyone laugh out loud while also leaving you amazed.
WANT TO GO? Free show; carousel requires a ticket. 718-788-2676. forestparkcarousel.com.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 11:30am
WHERE: Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk, Surf Avenue at West 19th Street, Coney Island, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: The annual contest that has become tradition. Contestants have 10 minutes to eat as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs as they can. Last year’s winner ate 69 in 10 minutes!
WANT TO GO? 516-338-8500. nathansfamous.com.
Storybook Stroll: ‘The Fourth of July Story’
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 12pm
WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, Long Island
AGES: 2-4
WHAT: Enjoy Alice Dalgliesh’s kid-friendly version of our nation’s history. Hear stories and view photos of family celebrations at Westbury House. Create a patriotic craft.
WANT TO GO? $10; $8 seniors; $5 children 7-17; free for children younger than 7. 516-333-0048. oldwestburygardens.org.
Freedom to Eat Local with GrowNYC Greenmarket
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 12-3pm
WHERE: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, Queens
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Start a new July 4th family tradition. Mark Independence Day with a food celebration. Families will have fun building their own berry flag cake and learning about local fruits, vegetables, and composting.
WANT TO GO? 718-956-1819. socratessculpturepark.org.
Hands-On History: America the Beautiful!
WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 12-3pm
WHERE: King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica, Queens
AGES: 4-12
WHAT: Celebrate our nation’s birthday at this craft program. Kids will make their very own paper American flag and hear stories of America’s founding.
WANT TO GO? 718-206-0545 x13. kingmanor.org/events.
Independence Day Celebration at Historic Richmond Town
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 12-4pm
WHERE: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate July 4th the old-fashioned way. There’s a pie contest, ice cream churning, and the Pinwheel Parade.
WANT TO GO? $8; $6 seniors and students 12-17; $5 for children 4-11; free for children younger than 4. 718-351-1611. historicrichmondtown.org.
Independence Day at Prospect Park
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 12-5pm
WHERE: Prospect Park, Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: Spend the day in Prospect Park at three different venues: the Prospect Park Audubon Center, Lefferts Historic House, and the Carousel. Take part in nature activities, arts and crafts, and take your first ride of the year on the carousel.
WANT TO GO? 718-287-3400. prospectpark.org.
Hot Jazz Cool Garden: The Ladybugs
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 2pm
WHERE: Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St., Corona, Queens
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate America’s birthday as well as Louis Armstrong’s as you sample one of Armstrong’s favorite foods—red beans and rice—and then enjoy birthday cake, plus a musical performance by The Ladybugs.
WANT TO GO? $20. 718-478-8274. louisarmstronghouse.org.
Brooklyn Cyclones vs. Williamsport Crosscutters
WHEN: July 4, 6pm; July 5, 5pm; July 6, 7pm
WHERE: MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Spend July 4th watching the national pastime with Williamsport Crosscutters at Brooklyn Cyclones. Fireworks follow the July 4th game. Series continues on July 5-6.
WANT TO GO? $10-$17. 718-372-5596. brooklyncyclones.com.
Independence Day Celebration at Alice Austen House
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 6-11pm
WHERE: Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Come and celebrate July 4th with the annual Staten Island Philharmonic concert on the lawn (6pm), followed by viewing of fireworks.
WANT TO GO? 718-816-4506. aliceausten.org.
Staten Island Yankees vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
WHEN: July 4, 7pm
WHERE: Richmond County Bank Ballpark, 75 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Fireworks follow the game. Series continues July 5-6.
WANT TO GO? $9-$18. 718-720-9265. milb.com.
39th Annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks
WHEN: Saturday, July 4, 8pm
WHERE: Brooklyn Bridge
AGES: All
WHAT: The famous fireworks show stays on the East River for another year, with even more barges this year.
WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/fireworks.
