Fourth of July events in NYC: Beyonce, an F-15 flyover, locations and more!

Fireworks light up Midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn during Independence Day celebrations in New York REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

New York City's 4th of July events for 2011 will range from performances by Beyonce to Brad Paisley and will shoot off more than 40,000 fireworks, synchronized to a score. The Macy's event is the nation's largest 4th of July pyrotechnic display. This year, which also coincides with the Statue of Liberty's 125th anniversary, and the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, is looking to be action packed with events.

Live from the Statue of Liberty will be a 'dazzling, soul-stirring salute' to the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. Beloved songs such as God Bless America, traditional songs such as The Star Spangled Banner, and favorites from Taio Cruz, Katy Perry, LeaAnn Rimes and James Taylor will be synchronized to a powerful firework display.

The show will be aired on NBC, July 4; beginning at 9 PM EST. Hosting the show will be former boy band member, and NBC's The Sing-Off host, Nick Lachey.

Behind the scenes

Macy's has selected the well-known American graffiti artists, Mr. Totem, to creat the 2011 Fireworks campaign. Totem has been painting walls for over 20 years and is most famous for his signature robotic armored letters and characters called the Mechanical Battle serif.

Totem started applying paint to walls in Atlanta Georgia, but his work has been seen across the globe in countries such as Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and France, to name a few. But his talents don't stop there. Totem has created works for mainstream artists such as Usher, OutKast, and Lil' John. He has also been commissioned by major companies such as Nike, PlayStation, Red Bull, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Coke, and more. Check out Mr. Totem's 4th of July artwork here.

The firework display

With more than 3 million live spectators expected, and millions tuning in nationwide, the Hudson River will host an explosion worthy of any painter's canvas, or any photographer's lens. With more than 40,000 fireworks set off from six barges, stretching from 20th to 55th Streets, 50 different shape effects and 17 colors, the massive display is sure to impress.

Prime viewing option

The most important thing to know about the 2011 NYC firework extravaganza is where to watch the show. For those eager viewers, Macy's suggests that to secure a spot, 5 PM is a good time to arrive at your destination. For those early spectators, there will be a FDNY Fireboat Water Show and a military flyover of four F-15's from the Air National Guard's 1044th Fighter Wing.

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