A century of magic has led to this! In 2026, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will make its historic 100th march through the streets of New York City—celebrating generations of larger-than-life balloons, dazzling floats, marching bands, performers, celebrities, clowns, and unforgettable holiday memories.
From its very first parade in 1924 to the arrival of Santa Claus each Thanksgiving, this beloved tradition has officially marked the beginning of the holiday season for millions. Now, Macy’s is preparing for its biggest milestone yet—and we’re sharing everything you need to know in our ultimate guide to the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Guide to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
WHEN IS THE PARADE
The 100th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 26th, starting at 8:30 am.
WHERE IS THE PARADE
The 2026 official parade route has not been posted – but historically the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off at West 77th Street & Central Park West, culminating in the festivities at Macy’s Herald Square. The route travels south along Central Park West from 77th Street to Columbus Circle, heads east to Sixth Avenue, and then south until it reaches the Macy’s flagship on 34th Street. The entire route is 2.5 miles long.
MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE PERFORMANCES for 2026
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a stage for top-notch entertainment, featuring appearances and performances by celebrities, music groups, Broadway stars, and more, including:
- Musical Artists – To be announced soon!
- Broadway Musicals – Performances to be announced soon!
- Radio City Rockettes – An annual favorite, they first performed in the 1959 Parade.
- Santa Claus – the one-and-only, in his famed Parade finale appearance!
MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE NEW BALLOONS for 2026
The balloons are taking on even greater significance for the historic 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. To honor 100 parades of imagination and innovation, Macy’s will fill the route with a record-breaking 100 inflatable elements—one for each parade—including giant character balloons, heritage favorites, balloonicles, trycaloons, and other whimsical creations.
Leading the celebration are five new giant balloons debuting in 2026: Billie Brightpaw, Macy’s Blueprint Stars, Snoopy as Joe Cool with Woodstock, Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, and the return of beloved superhero Underdog in a newly created balloon. They’ll soar alongside returning favorites including Buzz Lightyear, Mario, PAC-MAN, Pikachu and Eevee, Spider-Man, SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary, Shrek’s Onion Carriage, and more.
Together, the 100 inflatable elements will pay tribute to the parade’s remarkable past while introducing a new generation of high-flying holiday magic. We caught previews of Billie Brightpaw (here) and Snoopy as Joe Cool (here). Stay tuned for more!
TIPS ON HOW TO WATCH IN PERSON
As one would guess – the crowds gather along the sidewalks and streets LONG before the bands start marching their feet. Expect to be up early and camping out on the sidewalk for the best view (6am in some locations!). Pack blankets, thermoses, and iPads – or come with a big group of friends and take turns while the others wait inside a local establishment. Get creative!
Where to go for the best parade view? To see all the action, street-side is best! But truthfully – it’s not that easy to get those spots and you must plan ahead. The parade route bleachers you see on TV are reserved for Macy’s employees, VIPs, and guests. Watching the parade from the public areas along the route takes a bit of dedication. To watch from these, you need to plan on arriving by 6am (or earlier) to stake your claim on the sidewalk.
Generally speaking, the best locations are towards the start of the route, along Central Park between 60th and 69th street. This area is typically less crowded, and as its the beginning of the parade, you are able to view the whole parade fairly quickly and can go about your day before the traffic congestion starts (there are lots of delays and commercial considerations if you watch from a southern position, and once the parade ends NYC is turned on its head with traffic).
BEST PLACES TO WATCH THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
- Central Park West: Typically not as busy (but you need to get there early for a front-row seat)!
- 6th Avenue between 40th and 50th Street: Great views looking uptown at the balloons.
- Bryant Park: One year we watched from Bryant Park and found it to be a lovely spot. Be sure to enter on the library side of the park so you can stand in the Winter Village area. This section of the park is slightly elevated and gives a nice viewing platform!
WHERE NOT TO WATCH THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
- Columbus Circle: Typically, this area is reserved for NYPD and mostly closed to traffic & the public.
- Around Macy’s between 34th and 38th Street: These areas are mainly for telecast filming and often only have grandstand seating (that is reserved for Macy’s guests).
Picture Perfect: The unobstructed aerial view from the New York Hilton Midtown
WHERE TO WATCH FROM A HOTEL ROOM
The most convenient (and comfortable!) way to see the parade is to stay at a hotel along the parade route. The best view can be found from the New York Hilton Midtown, located on 54th Street and 6th Avenue, which is directly on the parade route. This location provides the absolute PREMIER vantage point for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Stay warm while in comfortable guest rooms that overlook the parade, with a jaw-dropping view of the world-famous balloons, floats, and bands that march directly below on 6th avenue. Rooms sell out fast, so be sure to plan and book ahead. More on these rooms HERE.
WHERE TO WATCH FROM A RESTAURANT
For a luxurious and convenient viewing option, consider a Parade View Package from Your VIP Pass, a local company that offers premium brunch viewing experiences along the parade path. These all-inclusive packages include a delicious brunch, cocktails, an onsite photographer to take pics, a variety of live entertainment, and breathtaking views of the parade from a prime dining location. Heads Up: Packages sell out way in advance! Discover more on these Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade viewing packages on their website.
TUNE IN
Catch all the holiday magic from the comfort of home! Audiences nationwide can watch the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, November 26 on NBC, Peacock and Telemundo starting at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, bringing the floats, balloons, marching bands, and performances right into your living room.
More high flying fun! You can also watch the balloons inflate the day before the parade! More on this amazing (FREE!) event HERE.
[…] Hoping to watch the parade? Find our Ultimate Thanksgiving Parade Guide HERE. […]