CA, US & World
Macy's Tests Massive Pyrotechnics in Mojave Desert Ahead of Milestone 4th of July Spectacular
LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. — As the United States prepares to celebrate its milestone 250th birthday next week, the ultimate creative mastermind behind the nation's premier Independence Day display has been fine-tuning the magic thousands of miles away from the East Coast. Deep within the windswept expanse of California's Mojave Desert, the specialized creative teams from Macy's Studios and Pyro Spectaculars by Souza gathered on a blustery June night to conduct critical, highly secretive tests for the upcoming 50th annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show.
NBC News correspondent Joe Fryer traveled into the remote desert layout to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the massive operation. Far removed from the concrete jungle of New York City, the pitch-black desert landscape serves as an ideal open-air laboratory. Because the location is completely isolated and resembles the barren surface of another planet after sunset, designers can cleanly evaluate the true color vibrancy, elevation height, and dispersion patterns of complex new shells without public interference or ambient city light pollution.
The stakes are historically high for the 2026 production, which pulls double duty celebrating both five decades of the iconic retail showcase and the American Semiquincentennial. To honor the dual milestones, the upcoming spectacular will expand its traditional firing footprint across six automated barges positioned simultaneously along the lower East River, the lower Hudson River, and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge. The expanding footprint will deploy a record-breaking 85,000 pyrotechnic shells in 30 distinct colors, turning miles of the New York skyline into a synchronized canvas of light.
During the nighttime desert evaluation, show designer Gary Souza and Macy's Studios Executive Producer Will Coss meticulously timed fresh, never-before-seen aerial displays alongside intricate waterfall effects slated to cascade across the suspension spans of the Brooklyn Bridge. Every single explosion must be programmed to detonate in absolute, millisecond-level synchronization with a custom 27-minute musical score curated by Grammy-winning composer Jason Howland. The Souza family has proudly directed the pyrotechnic architecture of the Macy's production for 42 consecutive years, maintaining a multigenerational tradition of expanding boundaries to make each annual sequence larger, more complex, and more magical than the last.
Earlier in the day, crews showcased the humble, heavily fortified desert bunkers where the sparkly components are wired and staged. Each heavy canister is meticulously wired to fulfill complex visual instructions, such as generating an exact American flag sequence that ascends in deep red and descends in pure white. Pyro Spectaculars handles more than 2,500 distinct displays annually—including 350 on Independence Day alone—but the New York flagship remains their crown jewel. This year's successful desert trials confirm that the metropolitan area is in store for a record-breaking performance. For audiences nationwide, the star-studded television special will be hosted by actor Terry Crews and broadcast live on July 4th on NBC with an adjacent streaming simulcast on Peacock.
Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.
By: NBC Palm Springs
June 24, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your favorite NFL team?
A major cleanup is underway after powerful waves damaged 14 beachfront homes near Capistrano Beach in Orange County. Residents are concerned their homes could remain vulnerable without protective measures in place. Crews are clearing debris, while efforts to bring in protective boulders were delayed by high tide. #California #OrangeCounty #CapistranoBeach #CoastalWaves #Beachfront #WeatherNews
Two new Girl Scout cookies are coming in 2027 🍪 Meet Sparkables: a crunchy oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles, developed with Partake in a facility designed to avoid the nine major food allergens. And for the pups: Patch Pals 🐾 Soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored dog cookies in four adorable designs. Both will be available online beginning in January. Which one are you most excited to try? #GirlScouts #GirlScoutCookies #NewCookies #DogTreats #FoodAllergyFriendly #CookieSeason
It’s more than just dancing — it’s fitness, confidence and community. A Coachella Valley dance studio is helping adults move their bodies, have fun and step into their power, one class at a time. And during Beyoncé’s birthday week, the energy was turned all the way up. “When in doubt, twerk it out.” See how VXN Worldwide Dance Company is getting the Valley moving — and building confidence along the way. Read more at NBCPalmSprings.com. #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Dance #Fitness #Community NBCPalmSprings