Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade: What to know if you’re going to watch it

Are you ready to witness one of the most spectacular events of the year?

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved tradition that attracts millions of spectators and viewers every year. The parade features giant balloons, dazzling floats, marching bands, celebrities, and more. Here are some things you need to know if you’re planning to watch the parade in-person.

The parade history

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 as a Christmas parade organized by the employees of Macy’s department store. The parade featured floats, costumes, bands, and animals from the Central Park Zoo. The parade ended with Santa Claus unveiling the store’s Christmas window display. In 1927, the parade was renamed Thanksgiving Day Parade and introduced the first giant balloon, Felix the Cat. Since then, the parade has grown to become one of the most popular and iconic events in the country. The parade has also featured many famous characters, such as Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, Spider-Man, and Baby Yoda. The parade has been broadcast on NBC since 1952 and has won several Emmy Awards.

The parade route

The parade will take place on Thursday, November 23, 2023 at 8:30 a.m., an earlier start time than usual. The parade will start at West 77th Street and Central Park West. It will then proceed down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turns on Central Park South and then proceeds down 6th Avenue to 34th Street. The parade makes its final stop on 34th Street in front of Macy’s Herald Square location.

Where to watch

According to Macy’s website, there will be no public viewing in the following locations:

At the parade kickoff at West 77th Street and Central Park West
Central Park West between West 59th Street and West 60th Street
Columbus Circle
6th Avenue between West 34th Street and West 38th Street
West 35th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
The NYPD is expected to release more information about where public viewing will be allowed. Macy’s grandstand tickets are not available to the general public. The best spots to watch the parade are along Central Park South and 6th Avenue. You can also watch the parade online on NBC’s website or app, or on Verizon’s YouTube channel.

How to get there

On Thursday, subways will operate on a Sunday schedule, according to the MTA. Early in the morning, additional service will be provided on the 1 and S/42nd Street shuttle lines.

Some subway station entrances and exits along the parade route through the Upper West Side and Midtown could be closed.

Buses will also be operating on a Sunday schedule and the MTA warned many buses could face delays, reroutes, detours, or frozen zones due to the parade.

The Long Island Rail Road will operate on a weekend schedule, but extra trains will run to and from Manhattan before and after the parade on the Babylon and Ronkonkoma lines. Metro-North will be operating extra service before and after the parades.

The PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule but will add supplemental service mid-day. The Journal Square-33rd Street (via Hoboken) and Newark-World Trade Center lines will be running on normal weekend routing.

Amtrak is adding more service on Thanksgiving morning and throughout the week.

Road closures

According to the NYPD, the following road will be closed:

Columbus Avenue between 72nd Street and 83rd Street
Central Park West between 81st Street and 86th Street
82nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
76th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
75th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
74th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
71st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
68th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
62nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
61st Street between Central Park West and Broadway
59th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
Central Park West between 81st Street and East Side of Columbus Circle/59th Street
Columbus Circle between 59th Street and Broadway
59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th Street
34th Street between 6th Avenue 7th Avenue
33rd Street between 6th Avenue and 10th Avenue
34th Street between 7h Avenue and 8th Avenue
34th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue
36th Street between Broadway and 8th Ave

What to expect

The parade will feature more than 50 balloons, 26 floats, and 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers. Some of the new balloons this year include Baby Yoda, Trolls, and Boss Baby. Some of the returning favorites include Snoopy, SpongeBob, and Pikachu. The parade will also have musical performances by Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix, and more. The parade will end with the arrival of Santa Claus, who will usher in the Holiday Season.