The countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has begun! In celebration of the parade’s 99th anniversary, Macy’s is gearing up to enchant spectators once again with its iconic blend of colossal character helium balloons, dazzling floats, spirited marching bands, lively performance groups, renowned celebrities, amusing clowns, and, of course, the one-and-only Santa Claus. This year promises to be as spectacular as ever! Read on for our ultimate Guide to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024.
Guide to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
WHEN IS THE PARADE
The 99th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 27th, starting at 8:30 am.
WHERE IS THE PARADE
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 2025
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 – This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features a star-studded music lineup, with more than two dozen performers taking the stage. Highlights include: Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Colbie Caillat, Darlene Love, Debbie Gibson, Gavin DeGraw, Foreigner, Christopher Jackson, Calum Scott, Meg Donnelly, Teyana Taylor, Shaggy, Drew Baldridge, Matteo Bocelli, and the voices of HUNTR/X from Kpop Demon Hunters (EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami). Get ready for an unforgettable soundtrack to parade morning!
- Broadway Musicals – Perfromances from Buena Vista Social Club (a Tony-nominated musical), Just in Time (a hit show that opened this April), and the acclaimed revival of Ragtime at Lincoln Center.
- 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 2025
Soaring into the Thanksgiving skies will be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade’s distinctive character balloons. Since their inception in 1927, these larger-than-life balloons have become a hallmark, featuring some of the world’s most cherished and iconic characters. This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings a host of exciting new balloons to the streets of NYC. Fans can look forward to Mario, Pac‑Man (celebrating his 45th anniversary), Buzz Lightyear in a fresh new design, and Shrek’s Onion Carriage, all soaring high above the parade route. These playful giants add extra magic to the 99th edition of this iconic holiday tradition! See our video of the balloons HERE. Full article on the balloons HERE.
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. Discover more on these Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade viewing packages HERE.
TUNE IN
Catch all the holiday magic from the comfort of home! The 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air live on NBCstarting at 8:30 a.m. EST, bringing the floats, balloons, marching bands, and performances right into your living room. You can also stream the parade via Peacock or on streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and FuboTV — making it easy for everyone to join in on this iconic holiday tradition.
More high flying fun! You can also watch the balloons inflate the day before the parade! More on this amazing (FREE!) event HERE.
