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.
