Roosevelt Island Macy's July 4 Fireworks Celebration Viewing At Southpoint Park & Cornell Tech Campus, No Tickets Needed - Tickets For July 4 Fireworks Viewing At FDR Four Freedoms Park Available Online June 29, But Reduced Number Available From Past Years Due To Overcrowding And Safety Issues

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Public Information Officer Alonza Robertson reports:

No tickets needed for best RI views of Macy’s July 4 fireworks

In less than 13 days, more than 75,000 fireworks will ignite the sky over the East River, from seven docked barges, in the Big Apple’s largest celebration ever of the nation’s birthday. The prime viewing location on Roosevelt Island for this year’s highly-anticipated Macy’s NYC July 4 Fireworks show does not require a ticket or reservation.

This year, Southpoint Park and Cornell Tech’s newly opened campus - 2.5 acres of elevated, unobstructed public space just south of the Roosevelt Island Tram station - will allow thousands to enjoy an evening of pyrotechnic fun. Be sure to arrive as early as possible to secure vantage spots for yourself, friends, and family.

The 25-minute fireworks extravaganza starts at approximately 9:25 p.m. and is reported to be Macy’s largest display ever.

At Southpoint Park, residents and guests can enjoy a wide variety of activities including live DJ entertainment, dancing (when the music moves you), bounce houses, face painters, and balloon artists. Also on hand will be food trucks and other vendors.

At both Southpoint and Cornell, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. No alcoholic beverages or grilling will be permitted.

There will be no vehicle traffic or Red Bus service, south of the Tram Station and buses will run on a regular weekday schedule with no Octagon Express.

Due to severe overcrowding and safety issues at last year’s viewing party, officials at FDR Four Freedoms State Park have reduced the capacity of visitors that will be admitted to the park this year. A limited amount of tickets will be made available to the public via the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation’s website at rioc.ny.gov on June 29 beginning at noon.

Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more updates.

I was at FDR Park last year for the July 4 Fireworks celebration and to my knowledge, did not see overcrowding or safety issues.

The view is beyond! Worth the wait! pic.twitter.com/7j3tXhm9mh

— NamelyNorm (@NamelyNorm) July 5, 2017

UPDATE 6/22 - According to a Cornell Tech spokesperson:

The Tech Café will serve food on the patio. Bloomberg Center will be closed.

A FDR Four Freedoms Park spokesperson adds:

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy is thrilled that Frankin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park will be a venue for viewing the Macy’s Annual 4th of July Fireworks in the East River. As always, the Conservancy’s priority is the safety and well-being of visitors and personnel at the park.

In consultation with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Conservancy is implementing best-in-class security protocols, including maximum park capacity to ensure the safety and comfort of all.

The FDR Park spokesperson said that 1100 tickets will be distributed to the public for park entrance and that the total capacity will be limited to 1300 that includes all staff, security personnel and vendors.

The safety concerns are due to what the FDR Park says is the large number of chairs and blankets

 July 4 2016 Fireworks Celebration at FDR 4 Freedoms Park

used by spectators in past years that block emergency access vehicles in the event they are needed.

Here's what the FDR Park looked like in 2016.



waiting for the fireworks to begin.