New York City officials have announced a free ticket lottery granting access to 100,000 prime viewing spots for the annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks display over the East River. The event, which marks the nation’s 250th birthday, will take place this July 4.

Winners of the lottery will receive up to four tickets each to selected viewing areas at Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn and the South Street Seaport in Manhattan. These locations offer optimal vantage points for witnessing the fireworks and accompanying festivities. Children under age two are not required to have tickets.

In addition to the ticketed areas, non-ticketed public viewing options will be accessible along the FDR Drive in Manhattan. Further details on these locations will be made available on the event website.

The public online lottery, hosted at july4.events.nyc, is currently open and will close on June 29 at 11:59 p.m. Notifications will be sent to winners between June 30 and July 2. Those selected will receive instructions to claim their tickets and select preferred viewing spots.

Mayor Mamdani expressed enthusiasm about making the event accessible, stating that the Fourth of July is a time for Americans to reflect on their shared history and future. “Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers will gather along our waterfront to celebrate, and we’re making sure that some of the best views are available for free,” he said, highlighting efforts to open public spaces across the city for the occasion.

This giveaway follows a series of recent lottery initiatives by the mayor, including the distribution of 600 tickets to a City Hall post-parade celebration honoring the New York Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years, as well as 1,000 discounted World Cup tickets accompanied by complimentary round-trip bus transportation to MetLife Stadium.

The 50th edition of the Independence Day fireworks display will feature 85,000 shells in 30 colors launched from six barges along with a new laser show emanating from the Brooklyn Bridge, promising a colorful and memorable celebration.