It feels like we were just complaining of cold weather a few moments ago, and now we’ve found ourselves just around the corner from Independence Day! A day full of nothing but fun-filled memories, outdoor activities and your favorite summer foods, it’s hard not to get excited for the 4th of July. In case you haven’t already planned out how you’ll be spending your holiday, we’ve put together a list to help point you in the right direction.
Click here for our 2017 list!
- Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, New York City
Dan Nguyen/Flickr
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
Barney Bishop/Flickr One of the most iconic fireworks displays in our state, you can see this 4th of July display over the East River! Starting at roughly 9:20PM, this stunning show will be televised on NBC. To see what all the fuss is about, view one of the shows from one of our most recent years below:
- Empire State Plaza, Albany
Paul Gallo/Flickr
Caitee Smith Photography
Caitee Smith Photography A Capital Region display that is worth putting up with the crowds for, events begin at 3PM on Monday July 4th going through until 10PM! No cost to enter the plaza, you can expect to enjoy music, entertainment and food here while you wait for the the show to begin. The architecture of our state’s capital is truly phenomenal, and when paired with incredible Independence fireworks, it’s a sight to be seen!
For more information on this event, click here.
- Ring of Fire, Conesus Lake
Benjamin Esham/Flickr
Benjamin Esham/Flickr An old Seneca Indian tradition that has now become a part of every Conesus Lake resident’s Independence Day routine, this annual display is put on by all the local residents! Every 3rd of July, residents around the lake set off flares and fireworks at 10PM, creating a beautiful Ring of Fire that can be seen all around the lake.
Below, you can watch the view of the Conesus Lake Ring of Fire from Pebble Beach Road in Lakeville!
- Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls
Mikel Manitius/Flickr Before I am thrown to the wolves, let me verify that the picture above shows the view of the American falls, not the view from our territory. No matter what side you’re viewing the show from, Niagara Falls puts on a firework display every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10PM from May through the end of October. Also including other holidays and events, you can check out the full fireworks schedule for the famous falls, here. There’s nothing like seeing Niagara Falls lit up at night, and seeing their fireworks displays is even more unbelievable!
- Shepard Park, Lake George
Jones Road Caddie/Flickr
kent/Flickr Starting at 9:30PM on July 4th, you can have a waterfront view of these Independence Day fireworks right in Lake George. Free admission, the firework display can be seen from all around the main areas of the village. Another incredible way to view this display? Catch a 9:15PM ride with the Lake George Steamboat Company where you’ll be able to see the fireworks right out on the water!
If you’re unable to catch the fireworks for 4th of July, during the months of July and August, Lake George puts on a display every Thursday at dusk!
To watch the Lake George display in action, watch this video below:
- Rogers Memorial Park, Bolton Landing
Caitee Smith Photography To see some amazing drone footage caught on out the lake from above, watch the video of the display below:
One of our favorite spots to watch 4th of July fireworks, you’re guaranteed to love this waterfront display! This Independence Day from 7PM to 10PM you’ll be able to enjoy entertainment, face painting and music while you wait for the show to start at dusk! While this park can draw in a crowd, it is often less chaotic than viewing the display down on Lake George in areas like Shepard Park.
Have you ever spent your 4th of July watching one of these stunning firework shows?
Dan Nguyen/Flickr
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
Barney Bishop/Flickr
One of the most iconic fireworks displays in our state, you can see this 4th of July display over the East River! Starting at roughly 9:20PM, this stunning show will be televised on NBC. To see what all the fuss is about, view one of the shows from one of our most recent years below:
Paul Gallo/Flickr
Caitee Smith Photography
A Capital Region display that is worth putting up with the crowds for, events begin at 3PM on Monday July 4th going through until 10PM! No cost to enter the plaza, you can expect to enjoy music, entertainment and food here while you wait for the the show to begin. The architecture of our state’s capital is truly phenomenal, and when paired with incredible Independence fireworks, it’s a sight to be seen!
For more information on this event, click here.
Benjamin Esham/Flickr
An old Seneca Indian tradition that has now become a part of every Conesus Lake resident’s Independence Day routine, this annual display is put on by all the local residents! Every 3rd of July, residents around the lake set off flares and fireworks at 10PM, creating a beautiful Ring of Fire that can be seen all around the lake.
Below, you can watch the view of the Conesus Lake Ring of Fire from Pebble Beach Road in Lakeville!
Mikel Manitius/Flickr
Before I am thrown to the wolves, let me verify that the picture above shows the view of the American falls, not the view from our territory. No matter what side you’re viewing the show from, Niagara Falls puts on a firework display every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 10PM from May through the end of October. Also including other holidays and events, you can check out the full fireworks schedule for the famous falls, here. There’s nothing like seeing Niagara Falls lit up at night, and seeing their fireworks displays is even more unbelievable!
Jones Road Caddie/Flickr
kent/Flickr
Starting at 9:30PM on July 4th, you can have a waterfront view of these Independence Day fireworks right in Lake George. Free admission, the firework display can be seen from all around the main areas of the village. Another incredible way to view this display? Catch a 9:15PM ride with the Lake George Steamboat Company where you’ll be able to see the fireworks right out on the water!
If you’re unable to catch the fireworks for 4th of July, during the months of July and August, Lake George puts on a display every Thursday at dusk!
To watch the Lake George display in action, watch this video below:
To see some amazing drone footage caught on out the lake from above, watch the video of the display below:
One of our favorite spots to watch 4th of July fireworks, you’re guaranteed to love this waterfront display! This Independence Day from 7PM to 10PM you’ll be able to enjoy entertainment, face painting and music while you wait for the show to start at dusk! While this park can draw in a crowd, it is often less chaotic than viewing the display down on Lake George in areas like Shepard Park.
For a larger list of other 4th of July firework locations and display times within our state, look below! Note: A few of these displays take place the weekend before Independence Day, be sure you have your dates right! Unless otherwise stated, the events below will take place on the fourth.
Rochester – Main Street Bridge @ 10PM
Buffalo – Canalside @ Dusk
Niagara Falls – Seneca Niagara Casino @ 9:40PM
Akron – Veterans Park / Fireworks on Sunday July 3rd
East Aurora – Hamlin Park @ 10PM on July 3rd
Salamanca – Quaker Beach in Allegany State Park @ Dusk
Cheektowaga – Cheektowaga Town Park @ Dusk
Grand Island – Martin’s Fantasy Island @ Dusk
Olean – Bradner Stadium @ Dusk
Massena – St. Lawrence Centre Mall @ Dusk
Alexandria Bay – Boldt Castle @ 9:45PM
Sackets Harbor – Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site @ 9:30PM
Cazenovia – Lakeland Park @ 9PM
Windham – Windham Mountain @ 9PM
Poughkeepsie – Walkway Over The Hudson @ 9/9:30PM
Schoharie – Schoharie County Fairgrounds @ Dusk
Cairo – Angelo Canna Town Park @ 9PM
Clifton Park – Clifton Common @ 9:30PM
Lake Placid – Mirror Lake @ 9:30PM
Ticonderoga – Best 4th in the North @ Dusk
Wantagh – Jones Beach State Park @ 9:30PM
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