Rooftop Beach Party
noon-midnight, Pier 92
52nd St. and 12th Ave.
917-701-6205, $55 www.inlist.com
Party it up with Lil Jon and Wyclef Jean among other live performers and DJs. The all-day beach party will include a dozen delicious food trucks to choose from, including an unbeatable Fourth of July barbecue.
IndepenDANCE Fireworks Cruise
7-11 p.m., Jacana Yacht
599 E. 23rd St., 917-567-7459; $135, www.nypartycruise.com
July Fourth should be a patriotic reminder of the history of America; this two-level Jacana yacht will give you just that by showing you the perfect view of the NYC skyline and fireworks, as well as the Statue of Liberty. Enjoy the open bar while dancing as a live DJ spins music from the 80s, 90s and now.
Deviation with Benji B.
8 p.m.-2 a.m., Le Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker St., 212-505-3474
Who ever said the Fourth of July was all about hot dogs and fireworks? Enjoy a melting pot of musical influences, including jazz, hip-hop, funk and house music in West Village, as well as fresh, live music from recording artist Lunice.
Fireworks Cruise on the Cabana Yacht
5 p.m., Pier 81, W. 41st Street and Westside Highway
212-724-3900; $150
The Cabana Yacht is a great opportunity for a family-friendly cruise as well as a night of music and dancing, an open bar and a full buffet dinner.
Cornucopia Majesty at Chelsea Piers
4:30 p.m., Pier 59
West 23rd St. and Westside Highway, 646-397-7660
Looking for an atypical Independence Day experience outside of the usual barbecues and crowded parks? The Cornucopia Majesty promises an especially good time. Enjoy music, food and drinks, with an eclectic buffet menu offering everything from Chicken Francese to Pasta Primavera.
Patriot Tours: The Revolutionary Era Walking Tour of Lower Manhattan
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., City Hall
Broadway and Murray St., 212-209-3370; $23
Explore the landmarks that made New York City a crucial cog in the Continental Army’s victory during the American Revolutionary War. The tour starts by City Hall. Guided tours capped at 10 people make stops at the East River, St. Paul’s Chapel and Trinity Church.
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
11:30 a.m. (women’s competition); 12 p.m. (men’s competition)
Nathan’s Famous, 1310 Surf Ave.
718-946-2202; free
In what can only be described as a truly American spectacle, top competitive eaters from around the world gather on Brooklyn’s Coney Island to spend a grueling 10 minutes consuming hot dogs and buns. Expect a strong showing from the winner of the past five Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, who ate 62 hot dogs during last year’s competition, although his previous top competition, Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi isn’t expected to be present.
Red, White & Booze –Fourth of July at XVI
6 p.m., XVI Lounge, 251 W. 48th St., 212-956-1300; $15
www.drinks.barcrawls.com/newyork/holiday-events
The party at the XVI Rooftop Lounge provides views of Manhattan and the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks. There’s an open bar from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and the event features DJ Sinatra playing an eclectic mix of pop, techno, house and hip-hop music. Electric dance DJs Pheel Good and Molly Joseph will also be in attendance.
Outdoor Cinema 2012: ‘The American Experience’
7 p.m.
Socrates Sculpture Park
3205 Vernon Blvd.
718-956-1819; free
The first in a series of free movie screenings on Wednesdays in Queens’ Socrates Sculpture Park, “The American Experience” celebrates the defining features of culture in the United States through seven short films. The film highlights politics, assimilation and Americanization as well as the current social climate. Performances before the screening begin at 7 p.m., and the film starts at sunset. There will also be a live feed to the Macy’s Fourth of July events, including an unparalleled view of the fireworks.