A week of unannounced fireworks shows in NYC ended with a finale atop the Empire State Building

nyc fireworks
Fireworks are seen lighting up the sky on July 04, 2020 in New York City/

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

  • Across the country, cities cancelled their Fourth of July celebrations due to coronavirus concerns, but New York City's annual Macy's fireworks show went ahead atop the Empire State Building.

  • During the five days leading up to July 4th, Macy's launched unannounced five-minute shows in each of the city's boroughs.

  • The secrecy was meant to prevent large crowds from gathering.

  • Photos show the dazzling display.

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Though the typical Fourth of July celebrations in New York City were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the annual Macy's fireworks show went ahead with a finale atop the Empire State Building.

Each day during the lead-up to July 4, starting on June 29, Macy's launched unannounced five-minute fireworks shows across the city in each borough.

The secrecy was meant to prevent large crowds of people from gathering to glimpse the show.

"Each show is brief and will be over before residents can gather at its source," the company said in a statement.

In a series of tweets Saturday night, Macy's thanked city officials for helping the shows go forward.

"Thank you for joining us for this year's #MacysFireworks! We are glad for the opportunity to look forward to the hope of a brighter future for everyone, everywhere," the company tweeted.

Here's what the five shows, and Saturday's finale, looked like:

Fireworks burst over the Empire State Building in Manhattan on Independence day.

nyc fireworks july 4
Fireworks are launched from the Empire State Building as part of the annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on July 4, 2020 in New York City.

Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Despite the city's efforts to avoid large crowds, some people gathered to watch nevertheless.

nyc july 4 fireworks
Full moon rises over the Empire State Building, ahead of the firework display which will be held as part of celebrations for Independence Day (4th of July), in New York City, United States on July 4, 2020.

Islam Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The shows began on June 29 in the borough of Queens.

queens fireworks july 4
First night of Macy's fireworks display over the Empire State Building for the 4th of July week in Queens, New York City, United States on June 29, 2020.

Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

They continued throughout the week in Brooklyn...

nyc fireworks
A sparse crowd watches a fireworks show at Coney Island as part of the annual Macy's 4th on June 29, 2020 in New York City.

Spencer Platt/Getty Images

...and the Bronx.

bronx fireworks july 4
Fireworks burst at The Bronx Borough Hall during Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks seen over roofs of The Bronx buildings.

Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

They also burst over Times Square in Manhattan while sparse crowds looked on.

nyc fireworks times square
Macy's fireworks on top of One Times Square, the 3rd of six July 4th fireworks on July 01, 2020 in New York City.

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images via Getty Images

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