The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual tradition that reaches beyond New York City (more than 45 million people tune in to see it on the TV). Heralding the start of the holiday season, experiencing the parade firsthand is an iconic New York City tradition you won’t want to miss.
On constant rotation in my November arsenal, I live two blocks from the parade’s starting point and have a few helpful tips I’d like to share with first-time spectators. It can be a zoo, so it’s best to come prepared. Let’s cover everything you need to know about seeing the Macy’s Day Parade in New York City in person!
Note from Antonina about 2025 Christmas Itineraries. The personalized 4-day Christmas itinerary I created for my own family and friends sold out in record time last year. I was touched by the positive feedback and made the decision to update the guide and offer a limited supply in 2025 as well.
I personally address all questions and snafus, which is why I limit the sales to 100 for the year. The guide is hefty (30 pages to be exact) and includes non-negotiable Christmas activities perfect for anyone visiting NYC for the first time.
It took me five years to perfect the guide and I think it will help you make the most use of your time in the city, enjoy! You can find more information here.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide
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(Click Here for the Table of Contents)
Seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Person (Table of Contents)
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide
- Advice for Seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
- Arrive Around 6am to Score a Spot
- You Can Watch the Balloons Get Inflated the Day Before
- The Upper West Side is the Best Area to View the Parade
- Dressing Warmly is Essential
- You Can Book a Hotel Along the Parade Route
- Plan for Jam-Packed Subways
- Pack Some Snacks (and Coffee)
- Bathrooms Are Hard to Come By
- If it Rains, the Event is Not Worthwhile
- The Brief History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
- 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide (Post Summary)
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Map
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025?
In 2025, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on November 27, 2025 at 8:30am. The route starts on the Upper West Side (near the American Museum of Natural History) and ends at Macy’s Herald Square around noon.
This a very popular affair, so arriving early is crucial for securing a good spot. My recommendation? Try to get to the Upper West Side around 6am. You might still find a good view after 7am, but by 8am you’ll be pushing your luck.
Good to know — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade dates back to 1924, which means this year marks the 100th anniversary of the spectacle!
Map of 2025 Macy’s Day Parade Route
In 2025, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route begins at Central Park West and 75th Street on the Upper West Wide and runs for 2.5 miles before ending at Macy’s Herald Square.
The route meanders south on Central Park West until Columbus Circle where it hooks east onto Central Park South until reaching 6th Avenue. The parade marches down 6th Avenue until reaching the Macy’s flagship at Herald Square sometime around noon.
One of the best Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tips I can share is to avoid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds on 6th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets because the area is often restricted by TV setups.
Good to know. There’s no public viewing platform at Herald Square so your best bet for seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in person is to stake out a spot on the Upper West Side between West 75th and West 61st Streets.
NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons
On average, the balloons paraded in NYC during the Thanksgiving Day parade are five stories tall and weigh more than 800 pounds. Unwieldy and large, each balloon requires roughly 90 handlers to manage.
In 2023, there were 25 parade balloons on display (you can see the lineup here), 2025 will likely see a similar count. The roster is a roll call of everyone’s favorites. Bluey, Pikachu, Baby Yoda, Paw Patrol, Ronald McDonald, Spongebob and Smokey the Bear.
Advice for Seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
This one of those places that makes you fall for When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2025? all over again.
Arrive Around 6am to Score a Spot
It’s estimated that 2.5 million people attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade annually. (I personally think those numbers are inflated, but I haven’t been able to find any official counts). Regardless, the streets overflow with spectators and crowds get intense.
For a chance at front row seats, arrive at 6am. You might even get lucky if you arrive around 7am, but by 8am it’s definitely less likely. If helpful, the first year I saw the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person, I showed up at 8am and got stuck behind the crowd pictured above.
I was still able to see the massive balloons and definitely got my fill of holiday cheer, but the experience would have been considerably more enjoyable had I shown up at 7am.
Good to know. For those wondering, the bleachers along Central Park West are reserved for Macy’s employees and volunteers, they’re not available to the public.
You Can Watch the Balloons Get Inflated the Day Before
Something a lot of first time spectators don’t realize is that you can actually watch the balloons get inflated the day before the parade from 12-6pm. If interested, head to the American Museum of Natural History and find the end of the long line that snacks a few blocks before spitting out at the museum.
If helpful, last year my husband I showed up at 1pm and waited in line for two hours to see the balloons. I loved the event and would recommend seeing it, but don’t think it’s necessarily worth a two-hour wait. I suggest getting to the area around 11am to avoid the longest wait times.
Local tip. Here’s something most visitors don’t know. the best time to visit is right when they open.
The Upper West Side is the Best Area to View the Parade
Contrary to popular belief, you’ll want to avoid the area near Herald Square if you’re wondering about the best spots to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In my opinion, the best place to watch the parade is on the Upper West Side between West 61st and 75th Streets.
The parade starts at 8:30am, and if you’re at the beginning of the route you get to enjoy it the minute is starts (rather than waiting around for 2+ hours for the balloons to hit Midtown). Better still, nothing tops the iconic Central Park backdrop ablaze with fall foliage.
Dressing Warmly is Essential
In the last 10 years, the average Thanksgiving Day temperature ranged from 34°F to 47°F. Factor in the early morning, standing in place and notorious wind chill and you’ll quickly see that bundling up is the key to success.
If helpful, here’s my quick list on. What to Pack for New York in the Fall. Oh, and I never leave the house without these bad boys either. If a good hair day is on your horizon and a beanie is out of the question, here’s a solution that saved me in the past.
You Can Book a Hotel Along the Parade Route
If standing around in the blistering cold for hours on end sounds like your version of hell, you have the option of booking a hotel overlooking the parade route. But that luxury comes at a (steep) cost.
Prime rooms start north of $2,000 (with multiple-night requirements) so I wouldn’t personally go this route but it’s definitely an option. JW Marriott Essex House New York, Warwick New York, The Hilton Club New York, and Residence Inn Times Square are a few options along the route.
If you choose to book a hotel to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, I strongly encourage you to call and make sure you’re paying for a room with a direct view of the route. I’ve heard a slew of horror stories from people who paid premium prices for rooms that faced the wrong direction.
Plan for Jam-Packed Subways
We’ve established that hundreds of thousands of spectators watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person. Well, all those people have somewhere to be as soon as the parade wraps, which means the subways are a madhouse.
If you need to take the subway to get out of the neighborhood (assuming you’re watching from the Upper West Side), I suggest walking across Central Park and catching the subway from the Upper East Side instead.
New York City Thanksgiving Itinerary. Continue theme of famous holiday traditions by making reservations at one of the NYC restaurants dishing out Thanksgiving meals that day.
Pack Some Snacks (and Coffee)
After my first year of watching the New York City Thanksgiving Day parade in person, I quickly realized this guy was non-negotiable for staying warm and cozy during the event. Likewise, stock up on snacks to tide yourself over, especially if have kids in tow.
All together you might be spending nearly six hours at the parade (depending on how early you show up). Take it from someone who’s been there, hanger amplifies frustration. Between the crowds and cold weather, you want to set yourself up for success and snacks are an easy win.
Better still, swing by a bagel shop on your way over to the parade, they should tide you over until lunch. If helpful, here’s a roundup of my favorite bagels on the Upper West Side.
Bathrooms Are Hard to Come By
On par with the typical setup you’ll find at most parades, there’s a handful of portable toilets at the event but the lines are notoriously long. Worse still, unless someone holds your spot, there’s a chance you’d lose it by the time you get back (assuming you can weed through the crowd). Hopefully this heads up gives you a chance to plan around the curve ball!
If it Rains, the Event is Not Worthwhile
Bold statement, I know. But hear me out. Unless you traveled to NYC specifically for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, when you see rain the forecast, you might want to consider catching the parade on TV.
I know what you’re thinking, what kind of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade guide tells you to stay home? But I’m just being honest. Being soaked and cold is a recipe for disaster, especially with if you’re watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with kids.
However, you know yourself best. If you’re not going to let it rain on your parade, definitely pack some of these.
The Brief History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924 by the employees of the Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square. Much like the parade we see today, there were floats, live music and a few four-legged participants from the Central Park Zoo.
Although it didn’t make many headlines at the time, it attracted more than 250,000 spectators a year. Enthralled by the enthusiasm, Macy’s made the parade an annual tradition for New Yorkers.
It largely remained a local event until Miracle on 34th Street brought it to the country’s attention in 1947. The newfound surge in popularity led to the NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade’s first national broadcast in 1948, and the rest is history.
New York City Holiday Guides
- 15 EPIC Thanksgiving Activities in New York City (Local’s Guide)
- 15 Tantalizing Thanksgiving Dinner Restaurants in New York City
- 15 Festive Fall Treats in New York City (You Don’t Want to Miss!)
- 20 MAGICAL Things to Do in NYC During Christmas (+5 to Avoid)
- Celebrating New Years Eve in Times Square (Is it Worth it?)
Frequently Asked Questions. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide
Traditionally, the parade airs live on NBC from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) but times can vary from year to year. In 2024 the broadcast began at 8:00 AM.
In 2024 the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started at 8:30 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST), but traditionally it begins at 9:00 AM.
Technically you are not allowed to bring chairs to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but in my experience a lot of folks do without repercussions. One year I even saw two ladders set up with a plank strung in-between for kids to sit on like an distinctive bench.
It’s estimated around 45 million watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV and 3 million people see it in person.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade doesn’t set up any public bathrooms, depending on where you’re viewing Central Park, the Shops at Columbus Circle, and the Rockefeller Center.
2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide (Post Summary)
- When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
- What is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route?
- What balloons will be in the Macy’s Day Parade?
- Watch the balloons get inflated the day before
- Bundle up
- Order the essentials
- Find a spot early
- It’s better to watch the parade towards the beginning of the route
- Consider booking a hotel along the parade route
- Plan on walking home
- Bring coffee & snacks from home
- Avoid drinking too many liquids
- If it rains, it’s not worth it
- The brief, but important history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Map
I hope this Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade guide helps you make the most of the day. Happy holidays, and until next time!
Antonina
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our guide to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide (Helpful Tips from a Local). Have a favorite spot we missed? Whether you’re a local or just visiting, these Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Tips options won’t disappoint.
Have you been here before?
If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
Do you have any west side hotel recommendations near where you suggested watching the parade?
Hi there! We will be in NYC over Thanksgiving, staying near 48th and Lexington. Will watching the parade during the 25-block southbound portion be possible from the area of 6th Ave and W 48th St?
Thanks so much.
Hi Jill,
I’m not entirely sure, I’m sorry about that! I typically catch the parade on the Upper West Side and it’s always a blast.
Hey there. We are traveling in (family of 6) to see our neice’s college marching band perform in the parade. We are staying at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City. What would your recommendation be on the best way to get from Jersey City to watch the parade? And where along the route would be best for us to watch from?
Hi Mike, huge congrats to your niece – what an honor! I would suggest taking public transportation into the city, take the Subway to West 72nd (I suggest the 1/2/3 line) for the best viewing area for the parade. The map in the article highlights the best viewing area (from West 62nd to West 75th Streets). Happy holidays and congrats again, that’s so exciting!
Hi Antonia,
Thanks for all your useful tips! I wish you and your family all the best for the holiday season! 🤩
Hi Celia, what a thoughtful comment, thank you!
This post is so helpful! We’re headed to NYC for Thanksgiving to experience the parade. We’re not first timers to the city but first timers coming during Thanksgiving. Do you think your itinerary would still be helpful and applicable if we’re there thanksgiving week and are somewhat familiar with the city?
Such a good question! I’ll see if I can add more detail on that in the post. Hope this helps in the meantime!
Thank you so much for such a thorough and informative guide! We will be staying at the Residence Inn Times Square South (directly on 6th Ave. just south of W. 39th St.) but not in a room that has a direct view of the Macy’s Parade. If we just come downstairs and stand in front of the hotel, should we able to see the parade? Also, is it better to just stay there or go all the way up to Central Park West?
Thanks so much for stopping by and asking! I hope the info here is helpful for you!
Hi- we’re going this year- is there a way to know where to sit so we’re at the spot where performers stop to sing and dance? Or is that just random? I’m thinking specifically of the broadway casts in the parade. Thank you!!
Great question! I’m so glad you reached out — hope this guide helps point you in the right direction!
We are coming from Australia to see the parade and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel. Can we see the parade from the 6th Ave corner near this?
Hi Shelly, I’m not entirely sure! Might be worthwhile to call the hotel and ask before your trip. Maybe they’ll have a view from a higher floor. Fingers crossed!
My son and I are planning to travel to NYC just for the parade. We cant afford a hotel or air bnb so in order to fulfill his dream, Im planning to pull an all nighter and drive in from West Virginia, arriving at 6am. Where is the best place to park if I want to get a spot on the Upper West Side?
Oh how fun! I hope you have the most wonderful trip — this city really is magical. Enjoy every second!