Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024

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Thanksgiving Doughboy

See it live in NYC, starting right outside of Central Park!

The 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024. 

The parade start time is still TBD.

Last year the parade was scheduled to begin on 77th Street and Central Park West at 8:30 AM, which was 30 minutes earlier than ever before in New York and on the broadcast. It is unclear if the parade will start at the same time this year. Stay tuned for updates!

Parade Route

There are 2.5 miles of designated public viewing areas along the parade route in 2024:

• Starting Point: W. 77th Street & Central Park West 
• From Central Park West: Parade marches south down Central Park West for 18 blocks to Columbus Circle.
• From Columbus Circle: Parade turns onto Central Park South and heads east to 6th Avenue.
• From Central Park South & 6th Avenue: Parade turns onto 6th Avenue and heads south to 34th Street.
• 6th Avenue: Parade marches south down 6th Avenue for 25 blocks to 34th Street.
• 34th Street: Parade turns west onto 34th Street to 7th Avenue.
• Ending Point: Macy's Herald Square at 34th Street & 7th Avenue

Best Spots for Watching the Parade

The best place to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is along Central Park West, towards the start of the parade. This will also help to avoid getting caught up in all the madness at the end. 

Arrive early (think 6am!) and find a spot anywhere on the west side of Central Park West between W. 75th Street and W. 61st Street.

Once this portion of the parade has ended, your next best bet for viewing will be anywhere along 6th Avenue, between W. 59th Street and W. 38th Street.

Areas To Avoid: No Public Viewing

The following areas are either restricted for public viewing, or limited by the national television broadcast, so make sure to steer clear of these locations:

• Central Park West & W. 77th Street
• Central Park West between W. 60th & W. 59th Streets
• Central Park South between Columbus Circle & 6th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between W. 38th & W. 34th Streets
• W. 34th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues

Here's What's New in 2024:

Expect to view a few never-before-seen balloons and floats that will be making their Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debut this year! 

So far, two new floats have been confirmed: one by The Bronx Zoo titled “Wondrous World of Wildlife” - which will celebrate the zoo’s animals and beloved exhibits, and another from Disney Cruise Line titled the "Magic Meets the Seas" - featuring Captain Mickey Mouse and Captain Minnie Mouse, joined by Disney Animation, Pixar and Marvel characters to highlight the Disney Treasure, which launches in December.

Also, Spider-Man will be returning to the parade this year with an all-new balloon, inspired by comic book artist John Romita Sr.'s art.

Stay tuned for more float and balloon announcements.

Last year the 2023 event featured:

• Cher's new holiday hit to kick off the season on 34th Street.
• Seven new character balloons, including Blue Cat & Chugs, Beagle Scout Snoopy and Monkey D. Luffy, and four new floats including Camp Snoopy and Palace of Sweets.
• Jon Batiste, En Vogue, Chicago, Brandy, David Foster and Katherine McPhee, Bell Biv DeVoe and many more!
• The Big Apple Circus, Tiptoe's Winter Guard, the Tap Dancing Christmas Trees, America Cheer and more performers
• Plus 9 marching bands, clown crews, and balloonicles.

Check here for information about the 2024 Thanksgiving Day Parade street closures.