The best things to do on Thanksgiving in NYC

The annual pageant of giant balloons, floats, cheerleaders, clowns, marching bands, and theatrical performances is one of the best NYC events in November.

Expect to see 22 balloons, 33 floats, and 7 balloonicles.  Several new balloons are joining the parade this year, Minnie Mouse, arctic fox Noorah and Scout Elf, a Bronx Zoo float celebrating 125 years of the zoo, and a Rao's Homemade float with a Pasta Knight. 

In addition, see performances by Charli D’Amelio, Dan + Shay, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Coco Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, The Temptations, T-Pain, and the New York Liberty with Ellie the Elephant! 

Here's more about the parade and where to see it.

NYC is packed with holiday markets offering holiday spirit and unique gifts. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets offer a chance to shop local. With everything from clothing to holiday ornaments to artwork, there's something for everybody on your holiday shopping list.

Shopping for the perfect gift doesn't have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets.

NYC offers plenty of indoor and outdoor rinks where you can glide and practice your toe jumps. To help narrow down your options, we've listed the top places to go, including the iconic Rink at Rockefeller Center or the beloved rink at Central Park.

You can even make a full-day out of it when you shop at one of the city’s best holiday markets, followed by sipping hot chocolate and skating on The Rink at the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. If you'd rather stay warm while on the ice, there are many all-weather indoor rinks, including spots that offer roller skating.

If New York is famous for anything around Christmas time, it’s our ornate holiday window displays. As always, stores like Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. join in to show off their holiday spirit and latest merchandise.

These eyepopping displays are works of art with mosaics, sculptural elements and gorgeous, glittering colors.

There are a plethora of NYC’s best restaurants to choose from for meals over the course of the holiday weekend (and all year long). If you’re specifically looking for somewhere memorable to eat on the big day, this list is a good place to start.

Gather your friends and family for a Thanksgiving dinner to remember with City Cruises. Why spend the day fretting over a hot oven and a temperamental turkey when you can let professional yacht chefs take care of the hand-carved bird, stuffing and fall desserts like apple crisp during a festive buffet dinner.

In between bites, you can take in jaw-dropping skyline views and iconic landmarks like The Statue of Liberty and The Brooklyn Bridge from one of the boat's open-air decks or from the heated coziness of the vessel's indoor spaces. To complement the meal, the Thanksgiving Day (November 28) celebration will also feature a fully stocked cash bar, live DJ entertainment, games, and dancing into the night.

Meander through Manhattan's iconic greenspace to admire the autumnal energy. In fall, look for a bevy of mums at the Conservatory Garden and colorful leaves atop the Mall. 

Tourists and locals love to frequent one of the city’s best parks for its various lawns, fountains, walking paths, trees and picnic spots. On Thanksgiving Day, bundle up and stroll through this beautiful spot. 

If you're having a side of stress with your stuffing and mashed potatoes, Chelsea's ARTECHOUSE has the answer. They're presenting a new immersive exhibit that strives to create a space of calm amid the chaos.

Tingle Bells: An ASMR-Inspired Holiday Special will debut Thursday, November 21, and run through Sunday, January 5; general admission tickets start at $25. Tickets are available on Thanksgiving weekend. Equal parts wonder and calm, the experience blends nostalgic holiday warmth with cutting-edge digital art. 

Tingle Bells was inspired by the powers of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response), which is known for eliciting tingling sensations through auditory and visual stimuli. It's designed to be, "oddly satisfying," as event organizers explain. 

Sure, the holidays are something to be enjoyed, but sometimes, they're something to be endured. Opening on November 22 and running until December 28, The Second City New York will present their new Mainstage comedy show, "Wreck the Halls: The Second City New York’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays."

Packed with original sketches, improv and variety delights, the spirited show will gift plenty of laughs as it roasts all of the things we love to loathe about the "festive" season, from the dreaded family obligations to the boring office parties to the ad nauseum Mariah Carey songs. 

Instead of spending all your cash in a city where rent takes so much money anyway, we’ve come up with a list of foolproof things to do in NYC that are guaranteed to spark more joy than a cozy sweater. Yes, even if it’s 50 percent off!

We recommend opting outside on Black Friday. The Urban Park Rangers are hosting hikes across the five boroughs. Green-Wood Cemetery also offers a Post-Turkey Day Walking Tour.