Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026: Where to Watch, Route, Start Time & Tips for the 100th Parade
Quick answer: The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, November 26, 2026, from 8:30am to about noon. It starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West, runs south to Columbus Circle, east along Central Park South, then down Sixth Avenue to Macy's Herald Square, about 2.5 miles in all. The best free viewing is on Central Park West between 75th and 61st Streets and on Sixth Avenue between 59th and 38th Streets. Arrive by 6am for a front-row spot on Central Park West, or by 7am on Sixth Avenue. Balloon inflation is the afternoon before, Wednesday, November 25, around the American Museum of Natural History.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 100th edition in 2026. The tradition began in 1924, but the parade was suspended for three years during World War II, from 1942 to 1944. According to Macy's, the parade draws more than 3.5 million spectators in New York City each year, and the 100th edition is set to be an especially big one.
We're on the Bowery, about three miles south of the route, so this isn't our block the way the Feast of San Gennaro is. But plenty of our customers head uptown for it every year, and the same questions come up every time: when to leave, where to stand, and how to get home. This guide covers all of it.
What Time Does the Macy's Parade Start?
The parade steps off at 8:30am from West 77th Street and Central Park West. It takes time to travel the route, so when it reaches you depends on where you're standing. Based on recent years:
| Where you're watching | When the parade arrives |
|---|---|
| Central Park West, 70s to 60s | Around 8:30am to 9am |
| Central Park South and Sixth Avenue at 59th Street | Around 9:30am |
| Sixth Avenue, 50s to 40s | Around 9:45am to 10:15am |
| Herald Square (TV area only) | Around 10am to noon |
The whole parade lasts about three and a half hours from start to finish, and Santa Claus arrives at the very end. If you're watching from the upper part of the route, you'll be heading home well before noon.
Macy's Parade 2026 Route
The route is about 2.5 miles long and follows the same path as recent years:
- Start: West 77th Street and Central Park West
- South on Central Park West to Columbus Circle
- East on Central Park South (59th Street) to Sixth Avenue
- South on Sixth Avenue to 34th Street
- Finish: Macy's Herald Square, 34th Street
Macy's publishes the official route map closer to Thanksgiving. If anything changes for 2026, we'll update this guide.
Where to Watch the Macy's Parade
The best free spots
Watching the parade costs nothing. You just need to get there early. The two best stretches are:
- Central Park West, between 75th and 61st Streets. Stand on the west side of the street, since the park side isn't open for viewing. This is the first part of the route, so you see everything early and are done sooner.
- Sixth Avenue, between 59th and 38th Streets. The avenue is wide, the balloons pass between tall buildings, and there are more subway stations nearby. It's a good choice if you're coming from downtown.
As a rule, the farther you are from Herald Square, the lighter the crowds.
Where you can't watch
Some parts of the route are closed to the public:
- The start area at West 77th Street
- Columbus Circle, where invite-only grandstands are set up
- Central Park West between 59th and 60th Streets
- Herald Square: Sixth Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets and 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues are reserved for the TV broadcast
What time to get there
Sidewalks fill up fast. For a front-row view, plan on:
- Central Park West: by 6am
- Sixth Avenue: by 7am
By 7:30am, most of the route is several people deep. If you arrive later, you'll still see the balloons, since they fly high above the crowd, but you'll miss most of the bands and performers at street level.
What to bring, and what to leave at home
- Dress in layers. You'll be standing still in the cold for hours, often from before sunrise. The 2018 parade was the coldest since 1901.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a poncho in case of rain.
- Bring snacks and a warm drink in a small bag.
- Skip the big bags. Macy's viewing guidelines have listed umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, chairs, alcohol and drones as prohibited items. Check the 2026 guidelines on Macy's website before you go.
- Plan your bathroom breaks. There are very few public restrooms along the route, and leaving your spot usually means losing it.
- Pick a meeting point a few blocks away from the route in case your group gets separated.
What's New for the 100th Parade: Balloons and Floats
For the 100th parade, Macy's has promised a record 100 inflatables, from giant character balloons to smaller stars and ornaments. Announced so far:
New balloons - Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey Mouse, a new balloon inspired by Fantasia, making its parade debut in 2026 - Snoopy as Joe Cool, with Woodstock - A new Hello Kitty, holding a red apple
Returning favorites - Underdog, back for the first time since 1984 - Bluey, with a new look for her fifth parade - Mario, Pac-Man, Spider-Man, Shrek and Marshall from Paw Patrol
Floats and performers - A Hogwarts Great Hall float inspired by HBO's upcoming Harry Potter series - Floats honoring Tony Sarg, who created the parade's first giant balloons in 1927 - Marching bands, the Rockettes, Broadway performers and, as always, Santa Claus at the end
Macy's announces the full lineup and performers in the weeks before the parade.
Macy's Balloon Inflation 2026
If you'd rather see the balloons up close without a 6am alarm, go to the balloon inflation the afternoon before.
- When: Wednesday, November 25, 2026. In 2025 it ran from 1pm to 6pm. Macy's will confirm the 2026 hours.
- Where: The streets around the American Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and West 81st Streets.
- Entrance: In recent years, visitors entered through a security checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue and walked north through the inflation area.
When to go: mid-afternoon. By around 2:30pm to 3pm, the balloons have taken shape, and the lines are shorter than in the evening, when people arrive after work. Strollers are hard to use in the crowd, so a baby carrier is easier with small children.
The same Wednesday is also Green Wednesday, one of the busiest days of the year at cannabis dispensaries. If you're planning to stop by before the long weekend, our Green Wednesday and Black Friday guide covers holiday shopping tips and where to check for confirmed promotions.
Getting There From Downtown: Subway and Street Closures
Take the subway
Driving and taxis aren't a realistic option on parade morning. Crosstown traffic in Midtown is heavily restricted from early morning to early afternoon, and many streets near the route close the night before.
From the Lower East Side and the area around our store, the simplest route is the F train from 2 Av (Houston Street and Second Avenue). It runs straight up Sixth Avenue, with stops at 34 St–Herald Sq, 42 St–Bryant Park, 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Ctr and 57 St. Get off at 42 St–Bryant Park or 47–50 Sts and walk to Sixth Avenue north of 38th Street, where public viewing begins.
A few things to know:
- The subway runs on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving. Trains run less often than on a weekday, and the B train doesn't run.
- Some stations near the route change service. In 2025, some trains skipped 81 St–Museum of Natural History and 57 St from 4am to 11am, and some entrances and exits along the route were closed to manage crowds.
- Leave extra time. Platforms near the route get crowded both before and after the parade.
Check the MTA website or app on Thanksgiving morning for the latest service changes.
Street closures
The NYPD closes streets in stages, starting the night before. Based on 2025, expect closures on:
- Central Park West and the side streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, from Wednesday
- 59th Street between Fifth Avenue and Columbus Circle
- Sixth Avenue from 23rd Street to 58th Street
- 42nd Street and 57th Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenues
- Seventh Avenue and Broadway around Herald Square
Most closures lift by mid-afternoon on Thanksgiving Day.
How to Watch the Macy's Parade on TV and Streaming
If the 6am start isn't for you, the parade airs live on NBC and streams on Peacock from 8:30am to noon in every US time zone. Telemundo carries a Spanish-language broadcast. NBC has aired the parade since 1953.
The TV broadcast includes performances in front of Macy's Herald Square that people watching on the street can't see.
Thanksgiving Week at Mighty Lucky
We're at 259 Bowery, south of the parade route and away from the street closures.
- Closed on Thanksgiving Day. We're closed all day on Thursday, November 26, for both in-store shopping and delivery.
- Regular hours the rest of the week: 11am to 9pm on Wednesday, November 25, and 11am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28.
- Shop on Wednesday. If you want something for the long weekend, Wednesday is the last day before the holiday. Browse our live menu and order ahead for pickup.
- Delivery: We offer same-day delivery across Manhattan up to 110th Street, with a $50 minimum and no delivery fee, on every day except Thanksgiving. Deliveries must be received by the person who placed the order, with a valid ID.
One more thing: the parade isn't the place to consume cannabis. Central Park West runs right along the park, and New York City bans smoking in its parks. The route is also packed with families and children. Our guide to where you can smoke weed in NYC covers the rules.
FAQ
When is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026?
Thursday, November 26, 2026, from 8:30am to about noon. It's the 100th parade.
Is the Macy's Parade free?
Yes. Watching from the sidewalk along the route is free and open to everyone.
Can you buy tickets to the Macy's Parade?
No. Macy's doesn't sell tickets. The grandstand seats near Columbus Circle are invite-only. Some hotels and tour companies sell viewing packages, but those aren't official Macy's tickets.
What time should I get to the Macy's Parade?
By 6am for a front-row spot on Central Park West, or by 7am on Sixth Avenue. By 7:30am, most of the route is several people deep.
How long is the Macy's Parade?
About three and a half hours, from 8:30am to around noon. The route is about 2.5 miles.
Can you bring a chair to the Macy's Parade?
Chairs have been on Macy's list of prohibited items in recent years, along with umbrellas, backpacks and large bags. Check the official 2026 guidelines before you go.
What channel is the Macy's Parade on?
NBC, from 8:30am to noon in all time zones. It also streams on Peacock and airs in Spanish on Telemundo.
Does the Macy's Parade happen in the rain?
Yes, it goes ahead rain or shine. In strong winds, the giant balloons can be flown lower or kept out of the parade for safety.
Is Mighty Lucky open on Thanksgiving?
No. We're closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, including delivery. We're open regular hours on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Where can I see the balloons being inflated?
Around the American Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and West 81st Streets, on the afternoon before Thanksgiving. In 2025 it ran from 1pm to 6pm.
A Hundred Parades
The first Macy's parade in 1924 had live animals from the Central Park Zoo and no balloons at all. A hundred parades later, it's one of the biggest days of the year in New York. Go early, dress warm, and stand on Central Park West or Sixth Avenue north of 38th Street.
Downtown has its own big street events too. Our guides to the Village Halloween Parade and Green Wednesday cover the rest of the season.
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