City officials confirmed to the BBC that someone applied for permits to close streets in the area, but did not reveal who.

But it’s not likely that the city would have closed Manhattan’s busiest corridor on a holiday weekend for anyone. And this isn’t just any holiday weekend, it’s the Fourth of July weekend that marks America’s 250th birthday, while the city also hosts the World Cup.

Speculation increased.

Then celebrities began to emerge.

Paparazzi captured images of Antonoff, Swift’s longtime producer, sporting a tuxedo and a toothpick dangling from his mouth, supposedly heading to Thursday’s event at the Garden.

Her sister Rachel Antonoff, a designer, followed close behind in a bubblegum pink dress.

Famous American sportscaster Erin Andrews was also seen in a sparkly silver dress and Swift’s publicist Tree Paine wore a light blue dress.

American tabloid Page Six reported that Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid, a long-time member of Swift’s circle of friends, had also arrived at the location.

Pop star and actress Selena Gomez posted images of herself on Instagram wearing a black dress with gemstone earrings and heading to an unspecified event.

People magazine published a video of Dunham, creator of the series Girls, being driven around Manhattan in a black van.

Swift reportedly walked out of Thursday night’s event., external at Madison Square Garden well after midnight and arrived home in the early hours of Friday morning.