Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Since 1924, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® has kicked off the holiday season in New York City. More than 2.5 million people line the streets every year to see giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and waving celebrities (while 44 million more tune in to the NBC TV broadcast).

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® features more than 10,000 participants, along with fabulous floats and Macy's signature giant helium character balloons. In 2006, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® celebrated its 80th anniversary with new balloons, floats, and other surprises to mark the occasion.

See the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® will start at approximately 9AM on November 22nd, 2007 and end at approximately noon.

Planning to view the parade in person this year? Here's what you need to know.

• Parade Route:
  The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® begins at 77th Street and Central Park West. It proceeds to Columbus Circle along Central Park West and turns onto Broadway. The Parade then marches down Broadway and turns west on 34th Street, just past Macy's Herald Square. The parade finishes at 7th Avenue.
  
  
  
  
  
• Viewing Locations:
  From Central Park West: The west side of the street from 70th Street to Columbus Circle and on the east side of the street from 70th to 65th Street.
  
  • Columbus Circle: The west side of the street.
    
  • Broadway: Between 58th and 38th Streets.
    
  • 34th Street: The south side of the street between Broadway and 7th Avenue.
  
  Keep in mind that here is no public viewing or press access on Broadway from 34th to 38th Street. On 34th Street from Broadway to 7th Avenue, limited viewing is available on the south side of the street only.
  
  
• Viewing Tips;
  
  • Make sure you get there early if you want a good view. The crowd starts to form as early as 6:30AM for a sort of informal pre-parade street party. Stop for donuts and coffee and have breakfast al fresco while you wait.
    
  • Macy’s advises people to leave folding chairs at home. They become cumbersome when the crowds start filling up the sidewalk.
    
  • Don’t forget to dress warmly. November in New York gets pretty chilly after a couple of hours outside. Layers are always a good bet.
  
  If you’d rather stay inside, you can watch the parade live on NBC from 9AM to 12 Noon.
  
  
• Getting There:
  The New York City subway system is your easiest option for getting to the parade.
  
  • Take the D to 34 St./Herald Square or 59 St./Columbus Circle.
    
  • Take the C to 42 St./Times Square, 50 St./8th Ave., 59 St./Columbus Circle, 72 St./Central Park West, or 81 St./Central Park West.
    
  • Take the 1,2,3 to 42 St./Times Square or 72 St./Broadway. The 1 local will also stop at 50 St./Broadway and 59 St./Columbus Circle.
  
  For other transportation options, check the MTA New York City Transit Subway Map
  
  
• For More Information:
  Visit the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^® site or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.
  
  Don't miss the inflation of the parade balloons on Thanksgiving Eve.