July 4th Viewing Guide: Leslie Odom, Jr., Ariana DeBose, & More
Find out which Broadway stars you'll be able to watch from home on the Fourth of July in 2025.
By: Josh Sharpe Jul. 04, 2025
Happy Fourth of July weekend!
In honor of this year's celebration, BroadwayWorld brings you a guide to this year's Fourth of July television specials, including a show hosted by Ariana DeBose, performances by Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr., the Jonas Brothers, and more.
Check out all the details below on which Broadway stars you'll be able to watch from home on the Fourth of July.
PBS' A Capital Fourth
Multi-platinum selling music legends The Beach Boys, world-renowned Motown stars The Temptations, country music superstar Josh Turner, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle, Grammy Award-winning musician Trombone Shorty, platinum-selling hitmakers LOCASH, Gospel music legend Yolanda Adams, American Idol Season 22 winner Abi Carter, are all set to perform during the 45th edition of A Capitol Fourth.
The annual tradition, broadcasting live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, will air live Friday, July 4, 2025 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T. on PBS, as well as to our troops serving around the world on American Forces Network. The program will also be streaming on YouTube and here and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2025. Alfonso Ribeiro returns as host.
The 2025 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
This beloved Boston tradition returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade for its 51st year on Friday, July 4, 7–10 p.m. Keith Lockhart, celebrating his 30th anniversary as conductor of the Boston Pops, leads the orchestra alongside a talented lineup of guest performers headlined by multiplatinum selling singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes along with Tony Award-winner Leslie Odom, Jr., Bell Biv DeVoe, the U.S. Army Field Band Soldiers’ Chorus, and Boston Children’s Chorus.
The free concert includes a collection of patriotic favorites, performed by the Pops, closing with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The musical performance will be followed by a fireworks display over the Charles River, beginning at approximately 9:40 p.m.
The performance will be broadcast to a national audience on The CW Network, as well as locally on WHDH-TV Channel 7 (click here for additional tune-in details). The local broadcast coverage runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET with The CW’s national presentation airing from 9 to 10 p.m. ET/PT.
CNN's The Fourth in America
CNN’s “The Fourth in America” will feature musical performances from headliner Noah Kahan, along with Lainey Wilson, Dierks Bentley, Sting, Nelly, Counting Crows, Timbaland, The Fray, CAKE, Sublime, Ice Cube, Kaskade, 4 Non Blondes, Ashley McBryde, The War and Treaty, I Love the 90’s Tour with Vanilla Ice, Young MC, Rob Base and Tone Loc, B.o.B, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and The United States Air Force Band.
This year, coast-to-coast firework shows will air from cities across the country throughout the evening, including Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, Niagara Falls, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Diego, Seward, Alaska and Washington, DC.
The must-see musical experience, featuring star-studded performances and fireworks shows from across the country, will celebrate the 249th anniversary of the United States’ independence from 7pm ET to 1am ET.
It will broadcast live on CNN and CNN International, and will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN connected TV and mobile apps on Friday, July 4.
Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
NBC and Macy’s will light up the sky with America’s largest and most iconic fireworks display at the 49th annual “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks.” The star-studded event, hosted by Academy Award-winning performer and Broadway alum Ariana DeBose, will feature dazzling fireworks, musical performances and appearances by special guests, will air live Friday, July 4 (8-10 p.m. ET) on NBC and simulcast live on Peacock.
The eye-catching pyrotechnics will be set to a musical score produced by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and James Poyser, accompanied by a live performance from DeBose. Inspired by the enduring spirit of America, the 25-minute musical score will celebrate themes of community, resiliency and shared connection.
Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, Lenny Kravitz, Ava Max, Keke Palmer, and Trisha Yearwood will also take the stage ahead of Macy’s breathtaking fireworks display against the New York City backdrop.
The 49th edition of the “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks” will fire from the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and four barges positioned on the Lower East River in the Seaport District, providing miles of prime public viewing.
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