Giant character balloons between skyscrapers, elaborate floats, and marching bands: on Thanksgiving morning, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade makes its way through Manhattan. It takes place every year on the fourth Thursday in November.
What to expect
The balloons are probably the first thing that comes to mind, but there are also floats, dance groups, and familiar faces from music and entertainment. Santa joins the finale, too. For many people, watching the parade is part of welcoming the holiday season.
The usual route starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West. It heads south to Columbus Circle, turns onto Central Park South, then continues south along Sixth Avenue to 34th Street. From there, it turns west toward Macy’s Herald Square. The route covers about 2.5 miles.
To watch, choose a spot along a section of the route that’s open to the public. Central Park West and Sixth Avenue are the usual viewing areas. Not every stretch is accessible, though, and you can’t simply take a seat in the grandstands outside Macy’s.
The parade takes place for the 100th time in 2026. That’s different from its 100th birthday: the first parade was held back in 1924.
I’ve been taking part in the parade since 2019!
Good to know
- Watching from the public viewing areas is free. Grandstand seats are not available to the general public and are not sold.
- You don’t need to be in the front row to see the giant balloons. Being closer does make a difference for the floats and groups at street level, though.
- Arrive well before the start if you want a spot near the barriers. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes: you’ll probably be standing in the same place for quite a while.
- Plan to take the subway and expect street closures. The parade doesn’t pass every spot at once: the farther south you stand, the later it reaches you.
