Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026: where to watch the 100th parade

The short answer: the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is on Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 8:30am in Manhattan. It's free and you don't need a ticket. In recent years the route has started at West 77th Street and Central Park West, gone down to Columbus Circle, along Central Park South and then down Sixth Avenue to Herald Square. The best free spots are on the west side of Central Park West (roughly 75th to 61st Streets) and along Sixth Avenue (roughly 59th to 38th Streets). Get there by 6am if you want to be at the barrier. Skip Herald Square: that's the TV zone.

Why is 2026 a big year for the Macy's parade?

Because it's the 100th parade. The first one was in 1924, and the parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, which is why number 100 falls in 2026. Macy's has said the 100th parade will have a record 100 inflatable elements, with returning classics like Underdog (back for the first time since 1984) and a new Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey balloon.

Expect bigger crowds than a normal year. If you're planning a Thanksgiving trip to New York around it, book your hotel now.

What time does the Macy's parade start?

8:30am Eastern. It has traditionally run until around noon. Where you stand matters: spots near the start see the parade first and finish first. The NBC broadcast, also on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock, starts at the same time.

Where is the best place to watch the Macy's parade?

It depends on what you care about.

If you want to see the balloons up close, go to Central Park West. The upper part of the route is where the balloons start, and the west side of Central Park West from about 75th Street down to 61st Street has public viewing. It's the classic spot, and the first to fill up. There's no public viewing on Central Park West between 59th and 60th Streets.

If you want more space and a later wake-up, go to Sixth Avenue. Sixth Avenue from 59th Street down to 38th Street is the long middle stretch, with more room to find a spot. The buildings are taller here, which makes the balloons look huge from street level.

If you're thinking about Herald Square, don't. The final stretch around Macy's on 34th Street is the TV performance zone. In recent years there has been no public viewing on Sixth Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets, or on 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. Grandstand seats there are for invited guests.

Columbus Circle and the very start at 77th Street are also usually closed to the public.

How early should I get there?

For a front-row spot on Central Park West, early risers start arriving around 6am. On Sixth Avenue you can come a bit later and still see well, especially farther south. If you're going with friends, send one or two people ahead to hold the spot and bring coffee for the rest.

Late November mornings in New York are cold. Dress in layers, wear gloves and a hat, and bring something to sit on. Public restrooms near the route are hard to find, so plan around a café you'll pass on the way.

Can I see the balloons get inflated the night before?

In past years, yes. Macy's has run a public balloon inflation event on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving around the American Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and 81st Streets on the Upper West Side. In 2026 that would be Wednesday, November 25, but Macy's hasn't announced 2026 times and entry rules yet. If you can go, it's the best way to see the balloons up close without a 6am alarm.

Practical guide

Date, time and route

• Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
• Start: 8:30am Eastern
• Cost: free, no tickets
• Route used in recent years: West 77th Street and Central Park West, south to Columbus Circle, east on Central Park South, then south on Sixth Avenue from 59th Street to 34th Street (Herald Square). Macy's confirms the route and viewing rules each fall, so check the official parade page in November.

Where to stay for the Macy's parade

You don't need a hotel on the route. You need one within walking distance, so you're not depending on the subway at 5:30am.

Upper West Side (near the start). For travelers who want to walk to Central Park West and see the balloon inflation the night before.

• Hotel Belleclaire, Broadway and West 77th Street. A classic Upper West Side hotel a couple of blocks from the start of the route.

Central Park South and Columbus Circle (the turn). For a central base that's a short walk from both Central Park West and Sixth Avenue.

• Mandarin Oriental, New York, 80 Columbus Circle. A luxury hotel on Columbus Circle, where the route turns onto Central Park South.
• Park Lane New York, 36 Central Park South. On Central Park South, the stretch of the route between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue.

Midtown along Sixth Avenue (the long middle). For groups who want more hotel choice and an easy walk to the Sixth Avenue viewing areas.

• 1 Hotel Central Park, 1414 Sixth Avenue. On Sixth Avenue at the bottom of the park, where the route turns south.

Rooms with a view of the parade are not guaranteed, even at hotels on the route. If that matters to you, ask the hotel directly before you book.

Getting there on parade morning

• Subway: the B and C trains run under Central Park West, and the B, D, F and M run under Sixth Avenue. Some stations near the route can get crowded or have exits closed on parade morning, so be ready to walk a few blocks.
• Walking: the easiest option if you're staying nearby. Streets around the route close to traffic, so taxis and rideshares won't get you close.
• Leaving: after the parade, walk a few blocks away from the route before you try to get on the subway or find a car.

FAQ

What date is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026? Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 8:30am Eastern.

Is the Macy's parade free? Yes. Viewing from the street is free and doesn't require a ticket. Grandstand seats at Herald Square are by invitation.

What is the best spot to watch the Macy's parade? The west side of Central Park West between about 75th and 61st Streets, or Sixth Avenue between 59th and 38th Streets. Avoid Herald Square.

How long does the parade last? It has traditionally run from 8:30am until around noon. Spots near the start finish earlier.

Can I watch the parade on TV or streaming? Yes. NBC broadcasts it nationally, with Telemundo in Spanish and a live stream on Peacock.

Sources

• Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, official page: https://www.macys.com/s/parade/
• Secret NYC, 100th parade date, start time, broadcast and balloons: https://secretnyc.co/100-day-countdown-100th-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-2026/
• Chain Store Age, Macy's 100th parade milestones: https://chainstoreage.com/macys-kicking-year-celebrations-mark-two-milestones
• News 12, route and viewing areas used in recent years: https://brooklyn.news12.com/guide-everything-you-need-to-know-before-you-head-to-the-thanksgiving-day-parade
• CBS New York, balloon inflation event (2025): https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade-balloon-inflation-2025
• Hotel Belleclaire: https://www.hotelbelleclaire.com/
• Mandarin Oriental, New York: https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/new-york/manhattan
• Park Lane New York: https://www.parklanenewyork.com/
• 1 Hotel Central Park: https://www.1hotels.com/central-park

Cover photo: John Prato, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source).