A New Yorker's Guide To The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

NEW YORK CITY — The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is making its annual journey from the Upper West Side to Herald Square this Thursday, with 17 gigantic balloons, 22 floats, 15 “novelty and heritage inflatables,” 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, and 5,000 volunteers in tow.

For its 98th year, the beloved holiday tradition will feature headlining performers actor and singer Jennifer Hudson, pop star Kylie Minogue, and Broadway icon Billy Porter.

In order to make room for the magic, the city will be closing off many streets on the west side of Manhattan, but there will be several viewpoints along the parade route for spectators to enjoy.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's parade, including a list of street closures, the parade route and best spots to watch.

When Does The Parade Start?

The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and will run until 12 p.m.

The Parade Route

The parade's 2.5-mile route begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West on the Upper West Side and then travels south down Central Park West until it reaches Columbus Circle.

At Columbus Circle, the parade turns onto Central Park South and heads east to 6th Avenue.

Then, the parade turns onto 6th Avenue and heads south to 34th Street. Take it from any New Yorker: this 25-block stretch of the parade is going to be the best for viewing.

At 34th Street, the parade turns west onto 7th Avenue and ends at Macy's Herald Square.

Best Spots To Watch

Though the parade will run 2.5 miles down Manhattan's west side, not all portions of the parade are going to be open to spectators.

The parade's starting point — 77th Street and Central Park West — will not be open to the public for the public, but early risers can go to Central Park West between West 75th Street and West 61st Street for great views. Usually, people start gathering on that stretch around 6 a.m.

At West 61st Street, and around Columbus Circle, there will be no public viewing section, according to the Macy's website.

But then, the 25-block stretch of 6th Avenue between West 59th Street to West 38th Street will have great views of the parade and a great crowd.

The very last stretch of the parade, between 38th Street and 34th Street to Macy's at Herald Square, is going to be limited to the public because that's where the broadcast television stations will be filming, and where the grandstand seats — which are not open to the public — will be.

What Will The Weather Be?

Expect rain on Thanksgiving morning and afternoon, forecasters say, so plan to bring a raincoat and umbrella.

According to the National Weather Service's New York City predictions, there is a 100 percent chance of rain on Thanksgiving day, starting at 4 a.m. with a high of 49 degrees. Forecasters predict it will be windy, too, with northwest gusts blowing from 10 to 16 miles per hour.

New York City could see up to three-quarters of an inch of rain, which would be something to be thankful for, given the ongoing drought conditions in the city.

How To Watch The Balloons Get Blown Up The Day Before

Every year, the inflation takes place around the perimeter of the Museum of Natural History.

To see the balloons come to life before the parade, head over to 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue on Wednesday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., where there will be a "secure checkpoint" entry, according to the Macy's website.

Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs, weapons, drones, pets, and umbrellas are not allowed.

People looking to beat the long line can start queuing up at noon, but the viewing doesn't officially begin until 1 p.m. The event is free and no tickets are required.

From there, visitors will be able to line up to see eight of the inflatables — including Minnie Mouse, Spider-Man, and Dora The Explorer — come to life.

How To Get There

Take public transportation! With so many roads closed, and so many tourists in cars, the fastest way to get your crew to the parade is going to be via the subway.

The best options will be the C train, which will take you right near the Central Park West stretch of the parade, and the F train, which will take you right to the 6th Avenue stretch.

But, if neither of those trains fit your commute, the N/Q/R and the 1/2/3 can also put you pretty close to the parade, with a short walk.

Road Closures

The following streets will be closed for this year's parade:

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 (Formation and Dispersal):

• 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

Other Locations:

• 86th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 85th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 84th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 73rd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 70th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 69th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 67th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 66th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 65th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 64th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 63rd Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• 62nd Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway
• 61st Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway
• 60th Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West
• Grand Army Plaza between 59th Street and 58th Street
• 57th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 56th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 55th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 54th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 53rd Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 52nd Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 51st Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 50th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 49th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 48th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Rockefeller Plaza between 51st Street and 48th Street
• 47th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 46th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 45th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 44th Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 42nd Street between 7th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 41st Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue
• 40th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 39th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 38th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 37th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 33rd Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 6th Avenue between 33rd Street and 32nd Street
• Columbus Avenue between 86th Street and 83rd Street
• Columbus Avenue between 72nd Street and 59th Street
• 9th Avenue between 59th Street and 58th Street
• Broadway between Columbus Circle and 65th Street

Learn more here.