NEW YORK — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is back!
The 95th annual parade is returning to its pre-pandemic form this Thursday, after much of the celebration was scaled back last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The iconic event will once again host in-person spectators, performers, balloon carriers, dancers and more.
Here’s everything you need to know about the event.
When Does The Parade Start?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, happening on Thursday, Nov. 25, will begin at 9 a.m. at Central Park West and 77th Street.
What’s The Parade Route?
The parade begins at the corner of West 77th Street and Central Park West and heads downtown along Central Park West to Columbus Circle.
The marchers then head east down West 59th Street and then south on Sixth Avenue.
The parade ends when the crowd turns west onto West 34th Street, ending up in front of the Macy’s Herald Square location.
When Are The Balloons Inflated?
The iconic balloons will begin to be inflated at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. Spectators can view the inflation at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue, when they will be screened by security before entering the inflation area in Central Park.
Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are expressly prohibited. All attendees over the age of 12 also must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof. Children under 12 years old may attend with a fully vaccinated adult.
Where Can I Watch The Parade?
There’s tons of space to watch the floats, marchers and performers make their way down the route again this year – however, some areas are off limits.
There’s no (or limited) public viewing at the starting point of the route. However, early risers tend to camp out starting at 6 a.m. on the west side of Central Park from West 75th Street to West 59th Street to get the best views.
There’s also no public viewing at Columbus Circle but, there are great views on Sixth Avenue between West 59th and West 38th streets.
Spectators are told to avoid watching on the major avenue between West 34th and West 38th streets and on West 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues – that’s where the national television broadcast films, which limits the public viewing area.
There’s also no public viewing in front of the Macy’s store.
How Can I Watch At Home?
NBC will host a televised, three-hour broadcast, from 9 a.m. to noon.
for the first time, viewers can also watch the parade via livestream on NBC’s streaming service, Peacock, beginning at 9 a.m. across time zones.
What’s Different This Year?
The biggest change for the 2021 parade will be the lack of children under the age of 12 on floats.
Roughly 200 children usually participate in the parade, but because Macy’s is requiring all participants be vaccinated against COVID-19, younger children have been asked to sit out this year.
How Can I Join The Parade?
Since the parade began in 1924, participants in the event have been Macy’s colleagues, their families and friends or others who have a relationship with the parade’s elements and/or partners, as per Macy’s. This policy still exists today and anyone who wants to join must fit under those categories or be approved via an application process.
What Streets Are Closed?
WEDNESDAY (7 A.M. TO 6 P.M.)
West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue
West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenues
Central Park West from West 73rd to 85th Streets
West 74th to West 85th Streets between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
Central Park Transverse Road at Central Park West and West 81st Street
WEDNESDAY (AT 10 P.M.)
West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue
Central Park West from West 59th Street to West 86th Street
THURSDAY (AT 8 A.M.)
West 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
West 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
Central Park West between West 77th and 86th Streets
THURSDAY (AT 9 A.M.)
Central Park West to Columbus Circle
Columbus Circle to West 59th Street
West 59th Street to Sixth Avenue
Sixth Avenue to West 34th Street
West 34th Street to Seventh Avenue
ADDITIONAL CLOSURES
Broadway between West 34th Street and West 41st Street: 12 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sixth Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 42nd Street: 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seventh Avenue from West 34th Street and West 42nd Street: 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West 34th Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue: 10 p.m. (Wed) to 5 p.m.
West 59th Street E/B between Seventh Avenue and Central Park West: noon to 2 p.m.
West 59th Street W/B between Fifth Avenue and Central Park West: 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 35th Street between Fifth Avenue and Eighth Avenue: 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
West 36th Street between Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue: 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 37th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 38th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West Eighth Avenue between 34th Street and 40th Street: 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Broadway between 38th Street and 59th Street: 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and 10th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 39th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 40th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 49th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 50th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads: 7 a.m. until conclusion
West 38th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West Eighth Avenue between 34th Street and 40th Street: 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Broadway between 38th Street and 59th Street: 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
West 33rd Street between Seventh Avenue and 10th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 39th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 40th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 49th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 50th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads: 7 a.m. until conclusion
THURSDAY (9 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.)
Sixth Avenue between West 33rd and West 59th Street
Eighth Avenue between West 57th Street and West 59th Street
Eighth Avenue between West 33rd and West 40th Streets
Broadway between West 59th Street and West 57th Street
Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries)
West 42nd Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenue
West 57th Street between Fifth and Eighth Avenue
Related
