Back in April, it was announced that the ever-so-popular Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show would be taking place on our side of the Hudson in Jersey City for the first time in 10 years. The barges will be lined up between West 14th and 34th streets on the Hudson River. To help locals prepare for this large event, the City of Hoboken recently announced a few parking restrictions and traffic updates on the day of the fireworks. Read on for everything you need to know about parking and traffic ahead of the 2024 Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show on the Hudson River.
What to Know
The City of Hoboken released the following Nixle alert about parking restrictions + traffic updates on Wednesday, June 26th ahead of the Macy’s 4th of July fireworks show:
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The City of Hoboken and the Hoboken Public Safety Department are anticipating an influx of potentially hundreds of thousands of visitors on July 4th, 2024, for the annual Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks, which are moving back to the Hudson River for the first time in a decade. Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to utilize public transportation on July 4th as significant traffic delays of up to four hours exiting Hoboken, are possible.
In preparation for the celebration and crowds, the Hoboken Police Department has been working in conjunction with other City divisions, including Fire, EMS, and the Office of Emergency Management, as well as Hudson County and neighboring municipalities to ensure the safety and security of everyone in attendance.
Traffic Management
In anticipation of heavy traffic congestion to, from, and throughout Hoboken, the HPD Traffic and Transportation Unit will implement a traffic management plan to help facilitate the flow of vehicles in and out of Hoboken and prepare for potential emergencies. Streets will reopen as crowds, traffic, and clean-up allows.
Road closures on July Fourth are as follows:
Beginning at 12AM
- Sinatra Drive from Fourth Street to 11th Street
Beginning at 2PM
- Hudson Place from River Street to Warrington Plaza
- Sinatra Drive from Newark Street to Fourth Street and 11th Street to 15th Street
- Sinatra Drive North from Sinatra Drive to 14th Street and through Shipyard Lane (Garage/Resident Access Only)
- Newark Street from River Street to Sinatra Drive
- First Street from River Street to Sinatra Drive (Garage/Resident Access Only)
- Second Street from River Street to Sinatra Drive (Garage/Resident Access Only)
- Third Street from River Street to Sinatra Drive (Garage/Resident Access Only)
- Fifth Street from Hudson Street to Sinatra Drive
Beginning at 9PM
- Third Street from Garden Street to Washington Street
- 16th Street from Willow Avenue to Park Avenue
- Court Street from Second Street to Fourth Street
Traffic control officers will be assigned to key locations throughout Hoboken to help mitigate congestion, direct traffic, assist drivers with detours, and keep pedestrians safe.
Traffic management plans, including road closures, are subject to change.
On-Street Parking Restrictions
24-hour parking restrictions will go into effect at 11PM on July 3rd, 2024. Temporary No Parking signs will be posted well in advance of the holiday. Vehicles left in restricted areas will be towed at the owner’s expense. Regular parking will resume at 11PM on July 4th, unless otherwise noted.
- Both sides of Sinatra Drive from Fourth Street to 11th Street (To stay closed through 8AM July 5th)
- Both sides of Sinatra Drive from Newark Street to Fourth Street
- Hudson Street from Hudson Place to Observer Highway
- Both sides of Hudson Street from First Street to Second Street (8AM July 3rd to 8AM on July 5th)
- Both sides of Hudson Place from River Street to Warrington Plaza
- West side of Willow Avenue from 11th Street to Fourth Street
- Both sides of Clinton Street from Seventh Street to Eighth Streets
- South side of Fourth Street from River Street to Willow Avenue
- Both sides of Fifth Street from Hudson Street to Sinatra Drive
- North side of 14th Street from Sinatra Drive to Park Avenue
To accommodate residents with Resident On-Street Parking Permits, the City is offering a special rate of $5 per 24-hour period in Garages B (28 Second Street) and D (215 Hudson Street) and Midtown Garage (371 Fourth Street). This rate is only applicable to residents with a valid Resident On-Street Parking Permit or Temporary Parking Permit from 6PM on July 3rd through 6PM on July 5th at $5 per 24 hours.
The City is also charging a garage event rate of $40 for 12 hours from 5PM on July 4th through 5AM on July 5th for transient customers without resident or temporary parking permits. This rate will be valid at Garages B, D, and Midtown.
Garage space is limited and fills up quickly. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Customers may experience significant delays exiting the facilities after the fireworks display has ended due to a surge of vehicular traffic leaving the garages at the same time and congestion on adjacent streets.
Viewing Locations:
Residents and visitors are invited to view the fireworks show from all publicly accessible waterfront property, including Pier A Park, Maxwell Park, Elysian Park, Sinatra Park, and the Little League Field. No lawn or beach chairs will be allowed on the Little League Field. Please note that while Pier A will be open for viewing purposes, the northern walkway and gazebo will be closed for emergency services for 24 hours on July 4th.
The following locations will be closed to the public on the Fourth of July:
- Pier C Park
- Sinatra Park Soccer Field
- Pier 13 (Private Event)
- Pier 14 (Private Event)
- Stevens Institute of Technology campus
- Waterfront walkway from Sinatra Park to 11th Street
As per previous communications from the City, portions of the waterfront area will be closed to pedestrians, due to ongoing inspections of the walkway and to allow for emergency access. On the Fourth of July, this will include Sinatra Drive from Sinatra Park to 11th Street. Pedestrians from southern Hoboken who seek to watch the fireworks from the northern waterfront must use alternate walking routes on Washington Street and Hudson Street. Please do not move or go around barricades blocking off affected areas. These barricades are in place for the safety of all, including spectators and first responders. For more information on the ongoing waterfront inspections, blocked areas, and potential impacts to pedestrians and motorists, please see here.
Public Safety and Security
Enhanced patrols will be deployed, with officers strategically positioned to monitor festivities, deter any potential incidents, and address any emergencies that may arise. A Hudson County mobile command center will be deployed on the waterfront in Hoboken to provide amplified security measures and to manage a coordinated emergency response, if necessary.
Residents and visitors are also asked to do their part by abiding by local laws, following safety guidelines, and remaining vigilant. Any suspicious behavior should be reported to local police immediately at 201-420-2100.
Please be reminded that alcohol and smoking are prohibited in public open spaces including piers, parks, and along the waterfront. Attendees are advised against bringing coolers. Prohibited items include:
- Grills/Open Flame
- Tents/Canopies
- Weapons
- Hammocks
- Fireworks
- Drones
It is illegal to light aerial fireworks anywhere in Hoboken, at any time of the year, including sky and bottle rockets, firecrackers, reloadable shell devices, and Roman candles, among others.
Hoboken EMS and Volunteer Ambulance Corps will be operating first aid stations with cooling capacities along the waterfront areas. Each station will have the capability to treat and respond to medical emergencies, along with ambulances staged throughout the city for the duration of the event. The first aid tents will be well-marked for those in need.
Transportation Options
With traffic expected to be heavy and parking limited, residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to leave cars at home. In previous years when the Macys fireworks were ignited on the Hudson River, extremely heavy traffic occurred throughout the region, causing delays of up to four hours on city streets, and at all exits in and out of Hoboken.
Public parking in Hoboken will be limited, with municipal and commercial garages available on a first come/first served basis. While parking meters and street cleaning will be suspended on July 4th, all other parking regulations will remain in effect.
NJ Transit rail and bus services and Port Authority PATH trains will be operating on an adjusted holiday/weekend schedule. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail will be available but limited to and from Jersey City after 10AM on July Fourth. NY Waterway will be operating a limited schedule on the Fourth of July and service will be suspended during the fireworks show.
The Hop Community Shuttle Bus service, including Senior Shuttle Service, will be suspended on July Fourth.
Hoboken’s Citi Bike program will be operational, but the waterfront bikeway will be closed. Citi Bike riders are advised to check the Citi Bike app for the most up-to-date docking space and bicycle availability.
Bicycle riders are reminded it is illegal to secure bikes to trees. Please use designated bike racks.
Please be advised that taxis and rideshare services will have limited access points for pickup and drop-off within the city. The taxi stand will be on Hudson Street between Hudson Place and Observer Highway.
Be respectful of neighbors, visitors, and community
Residents are reminded it is illegal and dangerous to host parties and gatherings on rooftops that don’t meet City code. Noise ordinances will be strictly enforced.
The City has acquired and will set up approximately 5-dozen Porta Johns along the waterfront for public use.
Municipal garbage and recycling cans will be set up along the waterfront and throughout the City. Please discard all trash and recycling. Don’t leave personal items behind.
For a full list of where to watch fireworks in Hoboken, Jersey City, and beyond for 4th of July 2024, click here.
See More: Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in New Jersey 2024
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