Compiled by Dana Schuster

Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular
It's just not the Fourth without it. More than 80,000 dazzling explosions—Flickering Butterflies, Glittering Gems, Giant Silver Swallows, and Bursting Comets—light up the sky over the East River while millions of New Yorkers catch the show from rooftops, in parks, along the river, at the Promenade, on boats, and on NBC.
• When: 9 p.m.
• Musical accompaniment: Bring a radio wherever you decide to watch for a synchronized musical program on 1010 WINS.
• More info: Call 212-494-4495 or visit macys.com

• Manhattan viewing: East River Park, South Street Seaport, FDR Drive (enter at 23rd, 38th and 42nd Sts.); the FDR between 14th and 42nd Sts. and from the ferry terminal to the Pearl Street exit ramp is closed to traffic from 7-10 p.m.
• Brooklyn: Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, Empire Fulton Ferry State Park Queens: Hunter's Point, Queensbridge Park, Rainey Park
• Jersey City: Liberty State Park
• Roosevelt Island: If you want to beat the Manhattan crowds, head to the other Island for the East River fireworks display. It's not free, but a ticket will get you a seat with a view, live music and entertainment for the kids, including clowns, jugglers and face painting. Grab a hot dog or hamburger from the food court, sit back in your folding chair (they're provided for all ticket holders) and watch the show. Leave the coolers, backpacks and alcoholic beverages at home; they're not allowed.
• 5 p.m.; adults, tickets $18 available at Manhattan Tram Station (2nd Ave. and 60th St.), online (rioc.com) or at the site on July 4; Southpoint, southern tip of Roosevelt Island; 212-832-4540 or rioc.com

Brooklyn Independence Day Parade
Celebrate America's 229th birthday with a parade featuring marching bands, pipe and drum players, the Knights of Columbus, and a host of patriotic New Yorkers. The festivities conclude with a ceremonial flag presentation and a salute to the parade's Grand Master.
• July 2, 10 a.m.; starts at 76th St. and Third Ave., down Third Ave. to Marine Ave., up to Fourth Ave. and into John Paul Jones Park at 101st St. and Fourth Ave.; 718-680-9216

Summertime Classics - New York, New York
Celebrate the Fourth of July with the The New York Philharmonic's salute to America's most fetching city. Listen to rousing renditions of Bernstein's "On the Waterfront Suite," Gershwin's "Promenade," Leroy Anderson's "Bugler's Holiday" and "Fiddle-Faddle," Copland's "Quiet City," and of course, our city's anthem "New York, New York," while you muse over what it means to be a true New Yorker.
• July 2 at 8 p.m. and July 3 at 5 p.m.; Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Plaza, Columbus Ave. and 65th St.; 212-875-5709, newyorkphilharmonic.org

Pre-Fireworks Presidential Walking Tour
Bone up on past presidents while taking a stroll through Greenwich Village and the Gramercy Park area. The guided tour makes stops at locations associated with Presidents Lincoln, Roosevelt, FDR, Wilson and Washington—from the Washington Square Arch to Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace.
• July 2, 3 & 4; 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; $13 tickets per person; call 212-465-3331 for reservations and meeting place.

Robert Altman's All-American Classic Nashville
Don't be fooled by the southern title—this film has just as much red, white and blue as barbeque and grits. Released 30 years ago when the nation was reeling from the Vietnam War and Watergate and with a presidential election as its backdrop, the film takes an unflinching look at the nation's fixation on show-business and politics. Running time is 155 minutes.
• July 2 & 3; 6:30 p.m.; Free for Museum members or with Museum admission, $10 for adults, $7.50 for senior citizens and college students with ID; Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. at 35th Street, Astoria; 718-784-4520 or movingimage.us

Poetry at Sea
Walt Whitman described "the gladness of the river" in "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry." This Sunday, families hop aboard the 1885 schooner Pioneer and sail around the East River while listening to a recitation of the classic poem.
• July 3, 4-6 p.m.; South Street Seaport Museum, 207 Front St., 212-748-8789 or southstreetseaport.org.

Independence Day Celebration at Historic Richmond Town
Party like it's 1776! A participatory parade for children and a homemade ice cream tasting at this 25-acre village and museum complex will make a happy pilgrim out of any youngster. Learn how to make Victorian paper fireworks and pinwheels, indulge in English country dancing, and convince the family to team up for a "yoke and bucket" relay race. Modern refreshments for sale. • July 3 and 4, 1-5 p.m.; $5 for adults, $4 for kids over 5; 441 Clarke Ave.; call 718-351-1611 or historicrichmondtown.org

Great July Fourth Festival
Wander down Water Street and take part in a down-home American birthday party with a global twist. The street fair showcases 600 international food vendors, as well as arts, crafts and merchandise exhibitors like Indonesian Jewelry and Chinese Pottery.
• July 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Water St. between State and Fulton Sts.; 212-809-4900 or nycstreetfairs.com