THE fireworks don’t start till dark – that means there’s a whole day in which to have some Fourth of July fun. These events will wrap up in plenty of time to see the sights.
Belle & Sebastian: The indie-pop band performs at Battery Park as part of the River to River Festival. The show will open with Martha Wainwright at 3 p.m. and then the group will take the stage, playing tunes from their latest album, “The Life Pursuit,” as well as earlier work. Go to rivertoriver.com
Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot-Dog-Eating Contest: Can Takeru Kobayashi of Japan break his own record of 49 hot dogs in 12 minutes? Watch for free as he frenziedly attempts this task at the 91st annual hot-dog-eating contest. The show begins at 11 a.m. sharp at the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Go to nathansfamous.com
Revolutionary New York: Walk off the barbecue with a War of Independence tour of lower Manhattan. Stops include the graves of Alexander Hamilton and General Richard Montgomery, Federal Hall and sites linked to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Jay. Meet at the intersection of Broadway and Murray Street, by City Hall at 1 p.m. Adults $15, seniors $12 and students $10.
Candlelight Walking Tour: Get started early – 2 a.m. early – for the fourth annual candlelight walking tour commemorating the Revolutionary War. Veteran tour guide James S. Kaplan reveals remarkable and little-known truths of buried war heroes in lower Manhattan. Meet at Broadway and Park Place, near City Hall, ready to walk.
Tickets ($20) required. Call (212) 425-1778.
Live Indian classical music: More River to River Festival. It’s a little odd – harmonium, sitar and tabla – but there’s free Indian food from Baluchi’s, 275 Greenwich St. The show starts at 6 p.m. Call (212) 571-5343 for reservations.
Fraunces Tavern Museum: The venerable pub celebrates a Colonial past with an open house. The building, which has survived since 1719, is best known as the site where Washington gave his farewell address. 54 Pearl St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (212) 425-1778, Ext. 18 for info. Free.
Les Halles Liberty Festival: Anthony Bourdain’s downtown outpost observes 11 days of French and American Freedom, July 4-14. The menu features specials from LaFayette’s visit to N.Y.C., such as Assiette Tricolore, or Whitefish terrene with red and blue potato salad. 15 John St. Call (212) 285-8585 for reservations.
Tony Orlando: Yes, it’s a “Today” show concert. Yes, you have to be there at 7 a.m. to beat the crowds. Still, it’s Tony Orlando – who recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Tie a Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ol’ Oak Tree.” Maybe Dawn will show up! Rockefeller Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
Fun with Founding Fathers: The Rooftop Film Festival presents “Political Shorts: Fun with the Founding Fathers.” Billed as “Cheerful American dissidents and adorable cartoons about warmongers and genocide,” what’s not to like? East River at 23rd Street, just north of Stuyvesant Cove Park, at 5 p.m. Free.
Presidential tour: NYC Discovery Tour hosts a special Fourth of July historical walking tour of Manhattan focusing on chief execs, particularly early presidents FDR, Lincoln and JFK. For reservations, call (212) 465-3331. At 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; $13.