Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls through NYC today. How and when to watch in person
NEW YORK -- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off in New York City today, as the iconic balloons, floats and performers march through Manhattan.
Here's everything to know about when it starts, where to watch and what's new on the lineup this year.
What time is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The parade started at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28 -- the fourth Thursday in November. It's expected to last 3.5 hours, wrapping up around noon.
Last year's parade was briefly interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters who laid down in the street. The parade veered around the demonstrators and was able to continue.
In case you missed it, check out last night's balloon inflation celebration as the classic characters came to life.
How to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Families across the country start their Thanksgiving traditions by turning on the parade. While many watch from the comfort of their homes, others flock to Manhattan to catch all the action in person.
Spectators were allowed to start lining up as early as 6 a.m. between West 75th and 61st streets along Central Park West.
Once the parade heads south onto Sixth Avenue, the best viewing spots will be from West 59th to 38th streets.
Map of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route
The parade begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side. It turns onto Central Park South at the bottom of the park, and then over to Sixth Avenue.
The route stretches about 2.5 miles south to reach Macy's flagship store at Herald Square on West 34th Street.
Along the way, the parade marches by Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, then by the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
This year's lineup features 22 balloons, including six new characters: Disney's Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from "Gabby's Dollhouse," Goku from "Dragon Ball," Marshall from "PAW Patrol" and Spider-Man, which is making its return after more than a decade.
There will also be 34 floats, 28 clown crews, 11 marching bands, 11 performance groups and seven "balloonicles." They will be joined by 28 performers, including the WNBA Champion New York Liberty and their beloved mascot Ellie the Elephant.
The full list also features: Alex Warren, Ariana Madix, Bishop Briggs, Charli D'Amelio, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Dan + Shay, Dasha, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Joey McIntyre, Kylie Cantrall, Lea Salonga, Liza Colón-Zayas, Natti Natasha, Rachel Platten, Roman Mejia, Sebastián Yatra, The Temptations, Tiler Peck, T-Pain, Walker Hayes and The War and Treaty.
And of course, the parade wraps up with a visit from a certain Mr. Claus.
Taking mass transit to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The MTA encourages spectators to ride the subway, using the 1/2/3 station at 72nd Street, the 1 station at 79th Street or the A/B/C/D station at Columbus Circle. The agency says the 1 train and 42nd Street shuttle are running additional service, while A/C/D trains are bypassing the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History station.
Citywide, all subways and buses are operating on a Sunday schedule.
Meanwhile, the Long Island Rail Road is running on a holiday/weekend schedule, with 15 extra trains added on the Babylon, Ronkonkoma/Farmingdale and Huntington branches. Metro-North Railroad is also running a holiday schedule, with 11 extra trains on the Hudson, Harlem, New Haven and Port Jervis lines.
The MTA says other service changes will be in effect for Black Friday and the holiday weekend.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade road closures
Whether you're traveling to the parade or just getting around, drivers should prepare for several road closures in Manhattan.
The NYPD says the following streets will be closed Thursday:
Formation:
- Columbus Avenue between 72nd Street and 83rd Street
- Central Park West between 81st Street and 86th Street
- 83rd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 82nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- 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 Broadway
- 61st Street between Central Park West and Broadway
- 59th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
Route:
- Central Park West between 81st Street and East Side of Columbus Circle/59th Street
- Columbus Circle (Entire Circle)
- 59th Street between Columbus Circle and 6th Avenue
- 6th Avenue between 59th Street and 34th Street
- 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue
Dispersal:
- 33rd Street between 5th Avenue and 10th Avenue
- 34th Street between 7th 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 Avenue
- 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 41st Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue
- 7th Avenue between 31st Street and 41st Street
- Broadway between 45th Street and 34thStreet
Miscellaneous:
- 58th Street between 9th Avenue and 5th Avenue
- 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue
- 40th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
- 39th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
- 38th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
- 37th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
- 36th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
- 32nd Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue
- 6th Avenue between 32nd Street and 34th Street
- 8th Avenue between 41st Street and 33rd Street
- Broadway between 32nd Street and 34th Street
- Broadway between Columbus Circle and 58th Street
- 8th Avenue between Columbus Circle and 58th Street
- Grand Army Plaza between 59th Street and 5th Avenue
Get more details about Gridlock Alert Days for the holiday season here.
Cleaning up after the parade
New York City's Department of Sanitation joked there will be "no leftovers" after the parade. It's deploying 147 sanitation workers and 23 officers using 32 hand brooms, 29 mechanical brooms, 23 backpack blowers and 23 collection trucks to help clean up after the festivities.
Last year, sanitation crews said they removed more than 65 tons of debris.
