Before America gets turnt on turkey and settles in to watch some football, all eyes turn to Manhattan during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual pageant of giant balloons, floats, cheerleaders, clowns, marching bands, Broadway performances and celebs is one of the best NYC events in November.
Whether you’re waking up at the crack of dawn to secure a prime spot or watching from home cozy on your couch, this guide will help you make the most of the parade.
Updated November 27: We added a list of street closures today and an explainer on how to watch the parade.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Thanksgiving in NYC
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Thanksgiving Day, of course! But we’ll spell it out for you: Thursday, November 28. It starts at 8:30am and runs until noon.
What is the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes over Manhattan on the holiday. It starts at 77th St and Central Park West and heads down to 34th Street to Macy’s Herald Square.
There are 2.5 miles of public viewing. It kicks off at West 77th Street & Central Park West and flows down Central Park West before winding around Columbus Circle and onto Central Park South and Sixth Avenue. Finally, it files down Sixth Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square. Here’s the full route and the street closures you need to know about.
How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Tune into NBC live from 8:30am to noon, watch it live on NBC, or stream it on Peacock. Otherwise, get to the parade route very early to stake out your spot. Here’s more information on how to watch.
Who is performing during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Expect Broadway performances, live pop performances, 11 marching bands, 28 clown crews, four performance groups and more. This year’s performers include 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 the full lineup of performers.
What are the new balloons in the Macy’s parade?
Expect to see 22 balloons, 33 floats, and 7 balloonicles.
If you want to get an early look at the balloons, check out the balloon inflation event on Wednesday, November 27, on the Upper West Side.
