The Macy's 40th annual 4th of July 2016 Fireworks Spectacular will be headlined by pop star Meghan Trainor, country singer Kenny Chesney and Australian boy band 5 Seconds of Summer.

Aired live on NBC (8 p.m. E.T.) and hosted by Tamron Hall and Willie Geist, the nation's 240th birthday celebration will also include a 25-minute pyrotechnic rich fireworks show choreographed to a score performed by original "Dreamgirls" star Jennifer Holliday and the U.S. Air Force Band.

At some point, a skywriting display is expected to be highlighted by the spelling out of "U.S.A." across the famed New York City skyway. You can watch a live stream of the festivities here.

The fireworks extravaganza will kick off on the edge of the East River, starting just across the Brooklyn Bridge across from Williamsburg and expanding through the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens.

All the explosives will be fired off barges situated along the East River, spots in Manhattan and Pier 17 near the South Street Seaport just below the Brooklyn Bridge.

Macy's Using More Than 50,000 Fireworks

Word is Macy's uses up to 50,000 fireworks shells for each show, with the timing and ignition of the sparks set off by digital signal.

The scene has long been the place to be for big-name tourists and everyday residents alike, with such stars as Jerry Seinfeld, President Bill Clinton and Olympian Dominique Dawes all have taken part in the show in some capacity in recent years.

There have been rumblings that this year's spectators could include the likes of Beyonce, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, Usher, Brad Paisley and Mariah Carey.

Best Places to Watch

Among the widely considered best viewing locations are the Old Slip Upper Level, Broad St. Ground Level, intersection of FDR Drive and Houston, intersection of FDR Drive and 23rd St., intersection of FDR Drive and 42nd St.

For people with special needs, recommended viewing areas are at Vietnam Memorial Park, the intersection of Furman St. and Old Fulton St., intersection of 16th St. and Ave C, intersection of FDR Drive and 34th St., and Center Blvd. from 48th Ave to 49th Ave.

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