America’s Got Talent 2023 Takes a One-Week Break for NBC’s Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Special
After five consecutive weeks of auditions, America’s Got Talent will pause for one week to make room for NBC’s annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks special. With July 4 falling on a Tuesday this year — the same night AGT normally airs — NBC opted to preempt the regular episode rather than run a repeat, offering viewers a live Independence Day broadcast instead.
Rather than tuning in to watch contestants perform for judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell on that night, audiences can expect a prime-time special highlighting musical performances and a fireworks extravaganza over New York City. The holiday special is designed to deliver a celebratory, family-friendly evening of live entertainment leading into the signature fireworks display over the East River.
The two-hour Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks special will be co-hosted by Rutledge Wood, known for Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge, and Zuri Hall from Access Hollywood. The broadcast will showcase a lineup of pop, hip-hop and country artists performing live on a New York stage before the fireworks finale transforms the skyline.
A Lineup of Performers and Special Guests Headline the Fireworks Broadcast
Confirmed performers for the Macy’s special include Ashanti, Bebe Rexha, Ja Rule, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and LL COOL J with DJ Z-Trip and The Roots. These artists will each take the stage in the hours leading up to the fireworks, offering a diverse mix of genres to suit a national audience celebrating Independence Day.
In addition to musical acts, the broadcast will feature appearances and short segments from television actors such as Caleb McLaughlin (Shooting Stars), George Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez), Mayan Lopez (Lopez vs Lopez) and Raymond Lee (Quantum Leap). The program will also highlight Dance to Unite, a nonprofit organization, and showcase Team USA gymnasts who are training for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles, 2022 U.S. All-Around Champion Konnor McClain and three-time World medalist Shilese Jones are among the gymnasts slated to appear, offering viewers a glimpse of elite athletes preparing for international competition.
The special is scheduled to air on NBC on Tuesday, July 4, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers can expect the traditional mix of live musical performances, short feature segments, and the spectacular Macy’s fireworks display set against the Manhattan skyline.
America’s Got Talent Returns Tuesday, July 11
Fans of America’s Got Talent need not worry—the series returns the following week. AGT resumes on Tuesday, July 11 with Auditions Week 6, continuing the search for the season’s standout acts. The audition phase will wrap up before the live rounds begin later in the summer.
According to the season schedule, live shows begin on Tuesday, August 22, with live results episodes starting on Wednesday, August 30. From that point forward, the program will air both a Tuesday performance show and a Wednesday results show each week, continuing through the season’s conclusion. The two-night finale is planned for Tuesday, September 19 and Wednesday, September 20, when the winner of the season will be announced.
This scheduling decision allows NBC to honor a long-standing national tradition while maintaining the momentum of America’s Got Talent. Viewers can enjoy the special holiday programming on July 4 and then return to AGT’s auditions and live rounds beginning July 11 and through the late-summer schedule.