How to Survive (& Thrive) at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
For some people, Thanksgiving is turkey, stuffing, and football. For me, it’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Every year, my family would gather around the TV to watch the gigantic balloons travel through Manhattan. We loved watching the Broadway performances and listening to the announcers spit off random facts about the floats. Seeing the parade in person has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.
Once I moved to NYC, I made this dream a reality. Last year, I battled the cold and finally experienced the parade in real life!
I absolutely loved watching the parade in person, but I had to be prepared. It’s a long, cold morning, especially if you are not in the right mindset. But don’t worry, I’ve put together a complete guide to surviving & thriving at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This guide is packed with everything I learned (& wish I had known) before attending the parade last year!
History
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1924. Macy’s employees marched to the store on 34th street. Floats, bands, and animals from the Central Park Zoo accompanied the Macy’s employees. (I would LOVE to travel back in time to experience this parade). Just as he does still, Santa Claus ended the parade. This first parade attracted more than 250,000 people and the success made it into an annual tradition.
Since 1952, the parade has been shown on NBC for viewers around the country to enjoy.
The Basics
Each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 77th Street & Central Park West to the Macy’s on 34th Street. There are a few designated areas for ticket holders (Macy’s employees and their guests) but otherwise, it is completely free to line up and watch the parade!
The parade includes large balloons themed to animated characters like Spongebob Squarepants and Charlie Brown, marching bands, and floats with pop artists.
Although in some areas the parade feels like a neighborhood event, more than 3.5 million people line the streets of Manhattan. It can be cold & crowded, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event that is absolutely worth it!
When
The parade takes place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 28, 2019. The parade lasts from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm.
But, if you want a front-row viewing spot, you are going to need to get there much earlier than 9:00 am. Last year, I got to a spot by 5:30 am and I was still in the second row. Luckily, I stood right behind people with camp chairs so I still had an unobstructed view. Be prepared to get to a spot at least 3 hours earlier, if not more.
Parade Route
The parade travels from 77th Street & Central Park West to the Macy’s on 34th Street.
Cost
Tickets are not sold for the parade and it is completely free to line up and watch!
Best Viewing Areas
There are plenty of spots to watch the parade, you just have to know where to go. Some of the best viewing areas are:
- Central Park West from 75th to 59th Street: If you are an early bird, this is the section for you. Find a spot on the west side of the street and get ready to see the parade as it kicks off at 9:00 am.
- The Shops at Columbus Circle: It might be tricky to get a spot here, but you can try to watch the parade from inside this mall. It will be much warmer in here so I bet this gets packed.
- Sixth Avenue from West 59th to 38th Street: This is about as close to Harold Square as you should go. It’s only going to get more crowded at Harold Square and most of the spots there are for TV crews and Macy’s employees with tickets.
Be sure to avoid Sixth Avenue between 34th and 38th streets, 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, and Harold Square. These spots have little to no public viewing spaces.
What to Bring
I wouldn’t bring too much, although I noticed that plenty of people had bags full of supplies. Here’s what I would bring:
- Hand, feet, and/or body warmers (these things were a lifesaver last year)
- Scarf, gloves, hat + any other warm accessories you need
- A camp chair and/or a blanket
- Snacks, water, hot chocolate
- A portable charger
- A book, headphones, or another way to pass the time while you wait for the parade to start
What to Expect
I really didn’t know what to expect when I decided to attend the parade last year. Overall, it was a great experience. I got to my spot at 5:30 am, had a completely unobstructed view, and (when the parade started) watched the major floats and balloons as they passed.
But, to be honest, there were some downsides.
- It’s pretty dang cold: I take that back, it was absolutely freezing. Last year was the second coldest Thanksgiving parade (it was only 19 degrees in the morning!) and the wind was brutal. I wore layers, had hand, feet, and body warmers, but I was still cold. I stood at a cross-street which basically acted as a wind tunnel, so that didn’t help. Hopefully, this year will be warmer, but be prepared to be chilled to the bone.
- There are tons of people: The crowds pack in, especially as it gets closer to 9:00 am. Just know there will be a lot of people and try not to let it bother you.
- You won’t really hear the performers: One thing I didn’t think about was not being able to hear. I could hear the marching bands, but couldn’t always hear the other musical acts. Plus, when you watch on TV, the hosts always give commentary on the balloons and floats. So the parade seemed pretty quiet at times without that. Not really a negative but just something interesting.
- You can only enter at certain areas: When you are trying to find a viewing spot, you will have to walk until you see a designated entrance. They are pretty good at letting you know where this is. Just follow the signs and directions until you reach an entrance with an NYPD security check.
- You won’t have access to a bathroom: Keep in mind that there won’t be a public restroom in the viewing area.
Pro-Tips
Ok, after attending the parade last year here is my best advice:
- Get there early: If you want a front-row or unobstructed spot, get there early. And I’m talking 5:30 or 6:00 am early. But, if you don’t particularly care about your view, wait until 8:00 am or even after the parade starts. You will probably be able to squeeze in the back and, since the balloons are huge, you will still get a decent view of the parade.
- Consider a chair: I noticed a bunch of people brought camp chairs for their front-row spots. Honestly, this would make the entire experience a lot more comfortable. A chair + a blanket = parade-viewing goals.
- Bring snacks: Especially if you plan to get there early. This is a long morning and you might want something to eat. You could bring a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate too, but remember that there isn’t an accessible bathroom.
- Have an escape plan: As soon as it’s over, have a warm spot to heads towards. It was cold and crowded leaving the parade so go ahead and mobile order a peppermint mocha from a nearby Starbucks and warm up!
- Soak it in: Yes, it will be cold. And you will probably be crowded and uncomfortable at times, but live in the moment. This is a huge once-in-a-lifetime experience that you want to create a positive memory of. Try not to let the weather or crowds take away from you having an awesome time!
Where to Get Warm
Once you get your spot for the parade, plan to stay here until it’s over or you are ready to leave. If you leave your spot to get warm or go to the bathroom, you won’t get it back.
After you decide where to watch the parade, pick a spot to warm up as soon as the parade is done. I was stiff, freezing, in need of a bathroom, and ready for coffee once the parade was over. I suggest finding a Starbucks near your spot and going here as soon as the parade is over. You can get a warm drink (mobile order so it’s ready for you) and use the bathroom here before moving on to your next adventure.
What About the Bathroom
So I’ve mentioned this a few times, but you really won’t be able to go to the bathroom during the parade. There just aren’t any public bathrooms or port-a-potties in the viewing area.
If you go to the parade with a group, you might get away with taking turns going to the bathroom. Again, I suggest looking for a Starbucks (or McDonald’s) nearby as these are your best bets for a public bathroom.
Don’t Miss: Balloon Inflation
If you are in town the night before Thanksgiving, don’t miss the balloon inflation. I loved watching the parade, but the inflation was actually my favorite part of the entire event!
So what exactly am I talking about? Well, the night before Thanksgiving, you can see the giant balloons being blown up in preparation for the parade. This is a much calmer event and a unique behind-the-scenes experience. Plus, this is free & open to the public!
This event takes place from 1:00 pm- 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 right outside the Museum of Natural History.
Basically, you will get to walk along a trail starting at 74th Street and Central Park West and ending at 81st Street. Along the way, you will see the iconic balloons taking shape. Arrive earlier in the window to get a good spot before it gets too crowded. The only downside is the balloons won’t be fully formed until much later in the day.
New & Noteworthy for 2019
Each year, the parade includes a few new balloons & floats + a different lineup of performers. Here’s what I’m most excited about:
New Balloons & Floats:
- SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary the Snail– Spongebob is a regular part of the parade, but to celebrate his 20th birthday, there is a brand-new Spongebob balloon for the 2019 parade.
- Green Eggs & Ham– a new Dr. Seuss balloon joins the parade in honor of the Netflix show.
- Blue’s Clues and You!– One of my favorite childhood shows is getting its own float this year.
- The Brick Changer– LEGO has a new float dedicated to whimsy and creativity.
2019 Performers:
The line-up includes plenty of incredible performers I can’t wait to see!
- Billy Porter– Look for him on the Rex in the City by COACH float
- Idina Menzel– Expect her to perform songs from her latest Christmas album on the Deck the Halls from Balsam Hills float
- Black Eyed Peas– Check them out on the NHL Most Valuable Hockey Mom float
- Dr. Janet L. Kavandi and Kay Hire– These two female NASA astronauts will ride down the route on Snoopy’s Doghouse float
Other Thanksgiving Events
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the big event on turkey day. If you are looking for other ways to celebrate, check out these smaller (but still festive) ideas:
- NYCRUNS Turkey Trot: If you want to get in a workout on Thanksgiving morning, consider signing up for a 5k race. This out and back course starts and ends near Pier 84.
- Eat Out: Many of the restaurants around the city offer family-style Thanksgiving meals. These can get pricy, but if you feel like splurging a bit my picks are Red Rooster Harlem & Tavern on the Green.
- Ring in the Christmas Season: Thanksgiving weekend also means the official start of the Christmas season (although let’s be honest, I celebrate well before Thanksgiving). Check out the window displays along 5th Ave, see the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall, or go ice skating in Bryant Park. Check out my complete NYC Christmas Guide for more ideas!
I hope you enjoyed this complete guide to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Are you planning to brave the crowds and the cold to experience it in person?
If you are looking for more, check out these posts:
Your Complete Guide to the 2019 Christmas Season in NYC
The Best Doughnuts in New York City
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