Viewing and Travel Tips for the Thanksgiving Day Parade

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic Thanksgiving tradition, and it happens right here in Lincoln Square. As visitors from across the country come to the neighborhood to watch the balloons, floats, and performers—including new balloons Buzz Lightyear, Mario, PAC-MAN, and more—here’s what to know to view the festivities and avoid traffic jams.

The spectacle begins with the Macy’s balloon inflation event on the day before Thanksgiving. The event's viewing hours will be from 1:00pm to 6:00pm, with the line opening at 12:00pm. All guests will enter via a security checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. After viewing the balloons, guests will exit the inflation area at West 81st Street and Central Park West, and head north on Central Park West to see the float assembly between West 81st and 86th Street. For a map and more information, click here.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 8:30am and will pass through Lincoln Square on Central Park West (see the route here). Public viewing is available on the west side of the street from West 63rd to 75th Street and on the south side of Central Park South between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue, but plan to arrive early—spectators often gather as early as 6:00am for prime viewing spots. 

For a more comfortable viewing experience, you can reserve a seat at acclaimed restaurant Per Se (10 Columbus Circle), which is hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch Reception that overlooks the parade and features a luxurious menu and activities for kids. You can also catch the parade at Tartinery (10 Columbus Circle), the French café, which will open at 7:00am. Click here to find more tips about how to celebrate Thanksgiving in style, including restaurants in Lincoln Square that are serving special menus for Thanksgiving.

Street closures for the parade will be extensive in our neighborhood and are subject to change at the direction of the NYPD. On Thanksgiving Day, there will be no parking on Central Park West from Columbus Circle to West 87th Street, according to information we received from the NYPD. Parking will also be impacted between West 60th and 85th Street from Central Park West to Broadway/Columbus Avenue. A full list of road closures and traffic restrictions from NYC's Office of the Mayor can be found here.

On Thursday, November 27, the subway will operate on a Sunday schedule. There will be additional service on the 1 line​ and the​ 42 St Shuttle in the early morning. Some subway station entrances and exits along the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route will be closed. A and C trains won't stop at 81 St-Museum of Natural History and F trains won't stop at 57 St from 4:00am to 11:00am. The MTA has posted more information about service changes for the subway, buses, LIRR, and Metro-North over the Thanksgiving holiday here. For real-time updates on service status, check the MTA’s website. Visit the NYC Department of Transportation’s Weekly Traffic Advisory and 311's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation page for more information.  

Photo credit: Macy's, Inc.