Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2025

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual event held on Thanksgiving Day in New York, on the fourth Thursday in November. In 2025 the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on November 27th. The parade attracts a lot of visitors, and many watch the parade on TV. The four-kilometre parade showcases floats, marching bands, cheerleaders and of course the famous giant balloons of characters such as Spiderman, Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty. If you are in New York in late November, then you simply cannot miss the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

On Thanksgiving Day at around 08:30 in the morning, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade commences on the west side of Central Park at 77^th Street. The parade then continues down 6^th Avenue towards Herald Square on 34^th Street, where the Macy’s department store is located.

As early as 6:00, people line up alongside the Macy’s parade route to make sure they have great spots for viewing. So, if you want a place alongside the route too, you’d better get there as early as possible. Sometimes parts of the streets are closed off to avoid overcrowding. If you can’t find a spot alongside the route, try walking a block further. The balloons are so big that you’ll have no problem seeing them from a distance.

Where to view the parade?

For the best view of the parade, head to Central Park West between 60^th and 70^th Street. It is busiest around Herald Square. It is not recommended to watch the parade anywhere between 34^th and 38^th Street, as this is where the national television broadcast will take place.

Before you head out, make sure to check the special Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website for the most recent information, the route and times – because these are subject to change.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Restaurant Viewing

If you want to be assured of a good place to watch the parade, you can book a spot. This way, you can watch the parade from a warm place, or you can watch it from an outdoor private viewing area. You are also provided with a toilet, food and drinks.

See this year’s options below:

• Option 1: Celebrate Thanksgiving at Gotham Hall. In this beautiful location, you can watch the parade in a private outdoor viewing area. In between, head indoors to enjoy a variety of brunch items, an open bar and live entertainment. This option is also fun for the kids, thanks to a magician, face painting and balloon artists.
  Book your Thanksgiving Day Parade Viewing Brunch at Gotham Hall here

• Option 2: Ensure a great spot along the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade route with a good view of the floats. Stay warm indoors, or watch the parade from the private area outside. There's a brunch buffet if you get hungry.
  Book your Thanksgiving Day Parade Premium Viewing Brunch here

• Option 3: See the balloons float by at this Thanksgiving Day Parade Brunch. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the parade, and you can also go downstairs to watch the parade from the outdoor viewing area. During the parade, you can enjoy brunch and cocktails.
  Book your Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Experience with brunch and cocktails here

Best Hotels to View the Parade

A great way to watch the parade in peace is to book a hotel along the route. My favourite hotels along the parade route are all located on 6th Avenue. I like to stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square. But the New York Hilton Midtown and 1 Hotel Central Park are also good options. If you want to view the parade from your room, ensure you book the correct room type.

Balloon Inflation

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade itself is not the only spectacle: on the evening of the parade, you can see the giant balloons being inflated. This happens in designated areas near the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side.

You’ll need a lot of patience to get close to this area. Fences are put up to create rows so that everything moves as smoothly as possible. The inflation of the balloons always attracts a lot of people, so be prepared for busy roads and long queues. The queue starts normally at 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue at around 12:00. The area is open to the public until 18:00.

About Eric »

Hey there, I'm Eric!

I'm a true New York fan with over 20 years of experience visiting and living in NYC. Here on my website, I share all my tips and valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. I personally test and regularly re-test everything on my site to ensure that what I write is useful, honest, and always up-to-date.

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Eric’s Tip: “If you haven’t been able to see the balloons up close the day before the Thanksgiving parade or on the day itself, you still have a chance; after the parade, the balloons are deflated around 34^th Street and 6^th Avenue.”