With America celebrating its 250th anniversary this year so the Fourth of July has many of programming for those celebrating the festivities locally or at home.
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If you are staying in for a night around the TV, here are some options.
‘Independence Day’
Taking its name from the holiday itself is the 1996 sci-fi action film starring Will Smith as Marine Corps pilot Steven Hiller.
Bill Pullman also stars as Thomas J. Whitmore, a fictional U.S. president who calls upon Hiller to help combat an alien invasion on Fourth of July. Other cast members include Jeff Goldblum, Marry McDonnell and Randy Quaid.
Independence Day is directed by Roland Emmerich (The Patriot, The Day After Tomorrow), who co-wrote the script with Dean Devlin. The film is available to stream on Hulu, Disney+ and AMC+.
‘Hamilton’
An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” combines the best elements of live theater, film and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, “Hamilton” has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. Filmed at The Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway in June of 2016, the film transports its audience into the world of the Broadway show in a uniquely intimate way. With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and direction by Thomas Kail, “Hamilton” is inspired by the book “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow and produced by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller, with Sander Jacobs and Jill Furman serving as executive producers. The 11-time-Tony Award®-, GRAMMY Awardc’-‘-, Olivier Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning stage musical stars: Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson; Renee Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler; Jonathan Groff as King George; Christopher Jackson as George Washington; Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds; Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton; Leslie Odom, Jr. as Aaron Burr; Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison; Anthony Ramos as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton; and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton. Hamilton is streaming on Disney+.
ABC: Disney Celebrates America
Disney Entertainment Television announced a 24-hour multiplatform broadcast as part of the “Disney Celebrates America” campaign, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, kicking off Friday, July 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT and continuing through Saturday, July 4. “World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir leads the coverage.
PBS is planning a great celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER
Premieres: Saturday, July 4, 8:00 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org & PBS app
In commemoration of America’s Independence, AMERICA MADE IN VIRGINIA: 250 YEARS TOGETHER, will broadcast live from Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Produced in partnership with VA250 and timed to coincide with the nation’s Semiquincentennial, the two-hour special will blend live performance, music, historic interpretation, and large-scale visual spectacle in a celebration of the ideas, people, and defining moments that gave rise to the United States. Rooted in Virginia’s central role as the birthplace of the nation, this inspiring national event connects the country’s founding directly to the present day, offering a powerful reflection on America’s past, present, and future.
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Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
Broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock from NYC’s Brooklyn Bridge
The magical event with over 80,000 shells and performances by Ariana DeBose, the Jonas Brothers, Eric Church, and Keke Palmer, with a musical score produced by Questlove. An encore airs at 10 p.m. ET
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CBS 250 Celebrations — America’s 250th Anniversary
CBS is playing a major role in the nationwide America 250 celebrations marking the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, with a mix of live events, primetime specials, and streaming coverage.
CBS’ flagship event — The Great American Block Party 250
Airing July 4 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ and CBS News 24/7, this 3-hour live special is hosted by Tony Dokoupil and Nischelle Turner from the Washington Monument. It features exclusive performances by Zac Brown Band, Jon Batiste, Goo Goo Dolls, The War and Treaty, and other artists to be announced. The show will conclude with what organizers call “the biggest fireworks show in history” over Washington, D.C.
Coast-to-coast coverage
CBS will also showcase celebratory moments from host cities including Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Charleston, New York, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore, and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, as well as the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota.
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