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It’s a summer for the ages! As America celebrates its 250th birthday, Battery Park City offers a front row seat to events marking the historic Summer of ’26.
On Friday, July 4, Sail 4th 250 will celebrate the United States semiquincentennial with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world, creating a majestic nautical spectacle and an unforgettable once-in-a-generation event on land, sea, and air.
Then, that evening, as it does each Independence Day, the Battery Park City waterfront makes prime viewing for the Jersey City fireworks display beginning at 9:30PM.
Battery Park City’s two largest parks — Wagner Park in the south and Rockefeller Park in the north — are the two best spots for neighborhood viewing, and open to the public at 6AM:
WAGNER PARK Family-friendly open space with waterfront views in southernmost portion of Battery Park City. Food and drink are available for purchase, and public restrooms will also be available. Lawn chairs are permitted on Wagner Park’s lawns; for large crowds patrons may be asked to make room to allow for more guests. Dogs and other pets are not permitted on park lawns.
Getting there: 4,5 to Bowling Green 1 to Rector Street R to Whitehall Street
ROCKEFELLER PARK & NORTH ESPLANADE Family-friendly open space with access waterfront view in in northernmost portion of Battery Park City. Public restrooms will be available. Lawn chairs are permitted on Rockefeller Park’s lawns; for large crowds patrons may be asked to make room to allow for more guests. Dogs and other pets are not permitted on the park lawns.
Getting there: 1,2,3,A,C to Chambers Street N,R to Cortlandt Street E, PATH to World Trade Center 4,5,J,M,Z to Fulton Street
FACILITY CLOSURES The Wagner Park Pavilion Rooftop, South Cove Park, walkway around Pier A, and the Irish Hunger Memorial will be closed to the public on Saturday, July 4.
EXTREME HEAT New York City is experiencing extreme heat from Wednesday, July 1 to Sunday, July 5. Please note the following tips for outdoor heat safety when enjoying time in our parks: ● Avoid strenuous physical activity. ● Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty. ● Stay in the shade and out of direct sun. ● Wear light, loose-fitting clothes. ● Put a hat on to protect your face and head. ● Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. ● Limit outdoor activities to early morning and late evening hours. ● Avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or sugar.
BPC / BROOKFIELD FERRY TERMINAL As part of the Sail 4th 250 celebration from July 1-9, 2026, the Brookfield Place Ferry Terminal will support U.S. Navy operations, with Navy vessels occupying the three southern slips. Ferry service will continue throughout the event with temporary operational and access adjustments. ● Ferry service is expected to operate daily, with the exception of Saturday, July 4 ● No parking will be permitted on River Terrace from 10PM on Friday, July 3 to 12PM on Saturday, July 4 ● Pedestrian routes indicated in the image below; click here for more information
