We hereby declare summer 2021 the “Summer of All Returns.” We’ve got our restaurants and bars back, concerts lining up, travel bans being lifted, and best of all: the ability to share special occasions with loved ones. This Fourth of July, Macy’s is making sure NYC welcomes back society with a bang (literally).

The Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks Spectacular has been a staple of Manhattan summers since 1976, with each year successfully outshining the previous. This year, the nationally recognized department store plans to make their 45^th annual firework display the best one yet, literally and figuratively lighting up the darkness that has been the past year.

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On Sunday, July 4^th, at approximately 9:25pm, more than 65,000 shells will be ignited from five different barges on the East River “in synchronization to a patriotic musical score,” featuring mesmerizing designs like “eclipsing fans, triple linking rainbows, blue jellyfish with crackling tentacles and red, white and blue waterfalls.” Viewers can expect the show to coordinate with classic American anthems like “The Star-spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by special guest appearances by The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, Tori Kelly, Coldplay, OneRepublic and more.

The event will run for 25 minutes and now more than ever before, it aims to celebrate the strength of our country. Will Coss, Executive Producer of the annual display, describes this year’s show as a means of “honoring the heroic spirit of our nation” while inspiring “a renewed sense of hope and optimism among our fellow New Yorkers and viewers nationwide.” (Business Wire)