Macy's Launches 1st Of 6 July 4 Fireworks Show In Secret Location

NEW YORK CITY — The first of six July 4 firework displays will set NYC skies ablaze Monday in a location kept top secret in an effort to minimize crowds gathering in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Macy's-organized show promises to be very different from the explosions seen almost every night for weeks as the city has seen a 4,000 percent rise in illegal firework complaints, Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week.

"This is not like what you're seeing with the illegal fireworks," he said. "You'll know this is a very professional, beautiful show."

Monday's 5-minute show is the first of a series that will run every night this week in all five boroughs, followed by a grand finale on Saturday at the Empire State Building that will air on NBC and will be headlined by John Legend.

The exact location and time of the run-up shows is being kept a secret.

"To encourage and support COVID-19 safety and social distancing efforts, and mitigate the advance gathering of large crowds for an extended period of time, we have chosen to delight New Yorkers with unannounced displays across the five boroughs this year," a statement from Macy's said.