Free tickets for NYC 4th of July fireworks officially sold out. Here's where to watch instead.
NEW YORK -- New York City's free tickets for the 4th of July fireworks show are officially all scooped up.
Tickets first went live Wednesday morning, but the site crashed as more than a million people tried to reserve a spot.
The site reopened at 10 a.m. Thursday, and users were entered into a queue. Minutes after it opened, the queue was about two hours long.
Where to watch NYC 4th of July fireworks
The fireworks are scheduled to start at 9:25 p.m. on July 4th, with entry from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The general public will be able to watch the show light up the sky over the Hudson River from the following entry points:
- Christopher Street & Washington Street
- West 11th Street & Washington Street
- West 12th Street & Washington Street
- West 29th Street & 11th Avenue
- West 40th Street & 11th Avenue
ADA access will be available at the Christopher Street & Washington Street and West 41st Street & 11th Avenue locations.
Free tickets for NYC 4th of July fireworks
City officials announced Tuesday 10,000 free tickets would be available for a front-row view from Pier 45 or Pier 84 along Hudson River Park on Manhattan's West Side.
Tickets are free, but online registration was required. They are only good for one pier, and there was a two-ticket limit.
Officials said 2,000 spots were reserved Wednesday, and 8,000 would be available Thursday.
"We are thrilled that over 1 million people visited our website in just five minutes to get tickets to the Macy's 4th of the July Fireworks," a City Hall spokesperson told CBS New York. "We are reopening the website tomorrow at 10 a.m. to give everyone another opportunity to select the remaining tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis."
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show returns to West Side
The Macy's 4th of July Fireworks will be back over the Hudson River, as they return to the city's West Side for the first time in more than a decade. The barges will be lined up between West 14th and 13th streets.
"While all New Yorkers will be able to take part in the illumination of our sky at the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks, our administration is making sure that 10,000 lucky New Yorkers have an opportunity to enjoy the show with a front row seat," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement announcing the free tickets. "We're making sure everyone has a fair shot at attending one of the city's most exciting and iconic events. I look forward to joining the thousands of viewers celebrating America's birthday right here in the Big Apple."
The celebration dates back to 1976 in the city.