What’s Open and Closed in New York City This 4th of July, 2025

Planning to get around New York City this 4th of July? One thing is clear: don’t assume business as usual. Independence Day falls on a Friday and brings altered transit, early store closures, and plenty of crowds. If you’re thinking of grabbing groceries, riding the train to see the fireworks, or just avoiding unexpected delays, here’s what you need to know.

What’s Open and Closed in New York City this 4th of July

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show — *photo via @newfacesny / Instagram*

What’s Closed

Government Offices

All nonessential government offices will be closed. That includes:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Social Security offices
Courts and city administrative centers

Libraries and Public Schools

All public libraries across the city—NYPL, Brooklyn Public Library, and Queens Public Library—are closed on July 4. Schools are out for summer, but offices won’t be open either.

Mail and Package Delivery

USPS: No mail delivery or post office services
FedEx: Closed entirely, except for Custom Critical and FedEx Office (some locations open)
UPS: No regular service; only Express Critical deliveries available

Don’t expect any packages to move on the 4th unless they’re high-priority and pre-arranged.

Banks and Financial Markets

Most bank branches: Closed for the holiday
Stock markets (NYSE and Nasdaq): Closed Friday; early close Thursday at 1 p.m.
Bond markets: Early close Thursday at 2 p.m.

What’s Open or Operating Differently

What’s Open and Closed in New York City This 4th of July, 2025 — *photo via @angelomar1299 / Instagram*

Grocery Stores and Retailers

Some stores are closing early, while others stay open with regular hours. Here’s a breakdown:

Store	Status on July 4
Costco	Closed all day
Sam’s Club	Open: Plus 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Club 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Trader Joe’s	Open, closing at 5 p.m.
Aldi	Open, but hours vary by location
Whole Foods	Open (check local hours)
Target	Open, some stores may close early
Walmart	Open regular hours
CVS / Walgreens / Rite Aid	Open, mostly regular hours

If you need party supplies or food, make your trip early, especially for stores like Trader Joe’s and Aldi, which tend to close mid-afternoon.

Transit & Transportation

Holiday adjustments across MTA and regional transit services are designed around crowd flow and fireworks events.

Subways and Buses (MTA)

Running on Saturday schedule
Some lines (A, C, F, N, 2, 4) will increase service in the evening for fireworks
Clark Street Station (2/3 line) is bypassed from 8–11 p.m

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)

Saturday schedule with off-peak fares all day
Extra late-night service from Penn Station after fireworks

Metro-North Railroad

Sunday schedule on Friday
Early getaway trains on Thursday afternoon

NYC Ferry

Open, but service may shift near East River zones
Check ferry.nyc or the app for alerts

Staten Island Ferry

Operating on a holiday timetable

Parks, Beaches, and Recreation

NYC parks: Open to the public all day
Recreation centers: Closed on July 4
Beaches (Coney Island, Rockaway, Orchard Beach): Open with lifeguards on duty 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Parks and waterfront spaces will get busy early, especially near fireworks zones. Bring water, arrive early, and expect longer walks from transit.

Museums and Cultural Spaces

Most museums will stay open for July 4, though hours may vary:

The Met: Open
MoMA: Open
American Museum of Natural History: Open
Whitney Museum: Open
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt & Edge at Hudson Yards: Open, book in advance

Always check each museum’s website for hours or ticket availability.

Fireworks & Street Closures

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show

The 49th annual show returns to the East River, with barges stationed near the Brooklyn Bridge. Expect tens of thousands to line the waterfront.

Fireworks Start: ~9:25 p.m.

Public Viewing Areas:

Brooklyn Bridge Park (Piers 1–6)
South Street Seaport
East River Esplanade
FDR Drive (Broad to Delancey—open to pedestrians only)

Free Ticket Access

100,000 free tickets for reserved areas have been available since July 1 via the city portal. Limit four per request.

Street Closures & Pedestrian Limits

Closures began on June 27 and will increase through July 5. Expect full closures on July 4 in:

DUMBO
Brooklyn Heights
Seaport District
FDR Drive near the East River

Certain areas, like the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, may be accessible only with an ID or ticket. If you’re walking, follow NYPD barriers and signs. Driving into these areas is strongly discouraged.

Summary

Category	Status on July 4
Government Offices	Closed
Libraries & Schools	Closed
USPS/FedEx/UPS	No regular service
Banks	Closed
Stock/Bond Markets	Closed; early close July 3
Costco	Closed
Trader Joe’s	Closes at 5 p.m.
Sam’s Club	Closes at 6 p.m.
Aldi	Open, hours vary
Target/Walmart	Open (check local store)
Transit (MTA/LIRR/etc.)	Weekend/holiday schedules
Beaches & Parks	Open
Museums	Open (hours vary)
Fireworks Show	9:25 p.m., East River, free tickets
Street Closures	June 27–July 5 (varies by location)

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