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If you're traveling to celebrate America250, whether you're seeing the annual Macy's 4th of July fireworks on the East River or checking out the Sail 4th 250 events in New York Harbor, public transit is the way to get there. We also have some service changes for the holiday.
Holiday service changes
Subways and buses
- On Friday, July 3:
- Subways and buses are running on a Saturday schedule.
- Extra Rockaway Park Shuttle trains are running.
- On Saturday, July 4, subways and buses will run on a Saturday schedule.
- In the evening, service will run more frequently and trains will run on the between Canal St and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr to accommodate higher ridership to the fireworks. trains won't stop at Clark St from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- On Sunday, July 5:
- Extra trains are running for the World Cup match. See more information on World Cup travel.
Long Island Rail Road
- On Thursday, July 2, the LIRR will run on a regular summer Friday schedule.
- On Friday, July 3, the LIRR will run on a regular summer Friday schedule with regular fares.
- On Saturday, July 4, the LIRR will run on a regular weekend schedule.
Metro-North Railroad
Holiday service
- On Thursday, July 2:
- Metro-North will run on a Friday schedule on all three East of Hudson lines. Peak service will be adjusted and afternoon getaway trains will be added.
- The Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines will run on a weekday schedule. Peak service will be adjusted and one afternoon getaway train will be added on the Port Jervis Line.
- Friday, July 3: Metro-North will run on a Sunday schedule.
- On Saturday, July 4:
- Metro-North will run on a Saturday schedule on all three East of Hudson lines, with two extra New Haven Line trains in the evening.
- The Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines will run on a weekend schedule, with one additional train on the Port Jervis Line.
Check Schedules or the TrainTime app for more details on extra LIRR and Metro-North trains ahead of the Fourth of July holiday.
Holiday Lights train schedule
Wednesday, July 1
From Grand Central
- 7:19 p.m. to Poughkeepsie (daylight into twilight)
Toward Grand Central
- 4:10 p.m. from Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 9:48 p.m. from Poughkeepsie (darkness)
- 12:05 a.m. from Croton-Harmon (darkness)
Thursday, July 2
From Grand Central
- 9:22 a.m. to Southeast (daylight)
- 6:29 p.m. to Southeast (daylight)
Toward Grand Central
- 3:40 p.m. from Southeast (daylight)
- 12:09 a.m. from Southeast (darkness)
Friday, July 3
From Grand Central
- 10:52 a.m. to Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 8:34 p.m. to New Haven (twilight into darkness)
Toward Grand Central
- 6:40 p.m. from Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 11:32 p.m. from New Haven (darkness)
Saturday, July 4
From Grand Central
- 9:53 a.m. to Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 7:34 p.m. to New Haven (daylight into darkness)
Toward Grand Central
- 3:39 p.m. from Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 10:45 p.m. from New Haven (darkness)
Sunday, July 5
From Grand Central
- 12:53 p.m. to Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 6:56 p.m. to Poughkeepsie (daylight into twilight)
- 1:46 a.m. to Croton-Harmon (darkness)
Toward Grand Central
- 3:39 p.m. from Croton-Harmon (daylight)
- 9:57 p.m. from Poughkeepsie (darkness)
Service to/from Staten Island
On Saturday, July 4, Staten Island Ferry service will be suspended for Sail4th 250 and July 4th activities in New York Harbor. Get more details from the NYC Department of Transportation.
For customers who connect between the ferry and the subway, the Staten Island Railway, or Staten Island buses, use our Planned Work Lookup tool to see travel alternatives.
Taking public transit to see the fireworks
When and where to see the fireworks
Macy's Annual 4th of July Fireworks happen Saturday, July 4, 2026 at 9:25 p.m and last for about 30 minutes.
This year, the fireworks display will take place around lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge and barges positioned along the lower East River and Hudson River. There will be viewing areas in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and New Jersey.
Public viewing areas
The public can view the fireworks along elevated portions of the FDR Drive in Manhattan by entering at one of the following locations:
The general public can view the show along elevated portions of FDR Drive by entering at one of the entry points:
- Montgomery Street at Madison Street
- Robert Wagner Place at Brooklyn Bridge off ramp
- Robert Wagner Place at Brooklyn Bridge on ramp
- Broad Street at Water Street
ADA accessible viewing areas will be available at the NYC Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza and Pier 35.
Public viewing in Brooklyn Bridge Park and designated sections of South Street Seaport will be accessible only via free tickets issued by the City of New York.
How to get to the fireworks
These subway stations are nearest the entrances to the official viewing areas:
- Borough Hall/Court St
- Bowling Green
- Broad St
- Chambers St
- East Broadway
- Fulton St
- High St
- Whitehall St-South Ferry
Trains won't stop at Clark St from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Buses that will serve the viewing areas include the M15-SBS, M15, M20, M22, M55, B25, B61, and B63.
Taking public transit to see Sail 4th 250 ships
Sail4th 250 will feature tall ships and naval vessels from around the world anchored in New York Harbor. Throughout the weekend, ships can be viewed from waterfronts in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, Jersey City, and Hoboken, depending on the date and time.
- On Friday, July 3:
- Class B ships will sail down the East River from the Hell Gate Bridge toward Sandy Hook, New Jersey, starting at 1 p.m.
- On Saturday, July 4:
- An International Naval Review will take place on the Hudson River from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Class A Tall Ships will sail up through New York Harbor and up the Hudson River from the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge to the George Washington Bridge from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Use the MTA app to plan your trip.
Get updates
These service changes are subject to change, so check the MTA app or MTA homepage before heading out; it's where you'll find up-to-the-minute information on subway, bus, and rail service.
You can also contact us in real time for help planning your trip by chatting with us in the MTA app.