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. According to information posted on 311, the event will be open to public viewing from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. The entrance to the event is at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. Following the security check, you will be able to move through the checkpoint to view the balloons between West 77th and 81st Street.

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 West 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. Visit the NYC Department of Transportation’s Weekly Traffic Advisory and 311‘s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Balloon Inflation page for updates and more information. The MTA is expected to post information about how subway and bus service will be affected here. For real-time updates on service status, check the MTA’s website. We will update this story as we receive more information about the balloon inflation event and street closures. 

Photo credit: Macy’s, Inc.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, now’s the time to book reservations at your favorite restaurant, order catered food, get tickets to viewings of the parade, and more!

A complete Thanksgiving meal doesn’t have to mean hours in the kitchen—the following markets have not only groceries but also special catering menus. Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle) is offering Thanksgiving Catering with everything from turkey to sides to dessert. Morton Williams (2015 Broadway at West 68th Street) has many Thanksgiving specialties for sale, as well as brisket, lamb, salmon, and more. Gourmet Garage (155 West 66th Street) is also prepared with a Thanksgiving menu and kosher Thanksgiving menu. Sweet and savory items from Breads Bakery‘s (1890 Broadway at West 63rd Street) Thanksgiving menu—including pies, babkas, and more—are available for pre-order. Thanksgiving meal packages and sides from Dig (100 West 67th Street) are available for order—use code PREORDER15 for 15% off. Pick up a turkey or pork Thanksgiving feast to take home from chef David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar (10 Columbus Circle). Dessert can be covered by ordering apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies from Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West).

Put a special twist on your meal by learning a new skill. Williams Sonoma (10 Columbus Circle) is hosting a class on how to make Stuffing & Cranberry Relish on Sunday, November 9, at 11:00am. Color Me Mine (177 Amsterdam Avenue at West 68th Street) is having a Butter Dish Bash! on Thursday, November 13, at 6:00pm, where you can paint your own butter dish—making something that’s personal, beautiful, and functional. Color Me Mine is also selling a Fancy Feathers Friendsgiving Plate—a DIY painting project—that’s $10 off if purchased before Friday, November 7. Find additional holiday decorations at Paper Source (10 Columbus Circle) and even more shopping options in the BID’s Neighborhood Guide.  

Eating out for Thanksgiving is also a fun option. The Smith (1900 Broadway between West 63rd and 64th Street) is offering a special three-course Thanksgiving menu, and a menu for kids, with reservations available from 12:00pm to 9:00pm (click here for more information). Café Fiorello (1900 Broadway between West 63rd and 64th Street) will also be serving a special three-course Thanksgiving menu beginning at 1:00pm. Lincoln Ristorante (142 West 65th Street) has a Thanksgiving prix fixe menu with an Italian twist. Nougatine by Jean-Georges (1 Central Park West) will be offering festive lunch and dinner menus on Thanksgiving Day. Rampoldi (49 West 64th Street) has a special three-course prix fixe Thanksgiving menu, as well as a menu for kids ages 10 and under, on Thanksgiving Day.

For an especially memorable Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade experience, take in the views from above. Reserve a room at Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle) for Thanksgiving with a View so you can watch the floats and balloons pass by from the comfort of your room or suite. Some restaurants at The Shops at Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle) will be open on Thanksgiving. Acclaimed restaurant Per Se is hosting a Thanksgiving Brunch Reception that overlooks the parade and features a luxurious menu and activities for kids. Uplyft and Dayglo Presents, two event production companies, are partnering to bring a Thanksgiving Day Parade Brunch to Jazz at Lincoln Center for the first time, dishing out premium food and beverages alongside panoramic views of the parade. You can also catch the parade from Tartinery, the French café, which will open at 7:00am. Return to Jazz at Lincoln Center later on Thanksgiving Day as drummer and New Orleans legend Herlin Riley performs at Dizzy’s Club at 7:00pm, where a full menu of Thanksgiving fare will also be served. The Shops at Columbus Circle will be open again on Friday, November 28, for Black Friday from 10:00am to 9:00pm.

Take advantage of these offerings to make the most of Thanksgiving!

Photo Credit:

Image 1 – Macy’s

Image 2 – Williams Sonoma