The first Macy's fireworks show in New York City was held on July 1, 1958 to celebrate the department store's 100th anniversary.

[2] In 1976, Macy's partnered with The Walt Disney Company to hold a fireworks display in honor of the United States' bicentennial, leading to the show becoming an annual tradition.

To discourage large crowds from gathering, each fireworks display was set off from multiple different locations, without prior announcement.

The fireworks are launched from multiple barges on the waterfront, which are programmed to fire in time with the show's musical score.

[10] The 2024 show featured Lainey Wilson, Luis Fonsi, Tanner Adell, Bell Biv DeVoe, Shaboozey and The War and Treaty.