11:30 AM · 45 min
Drop bags in Midtown West
Settle in and layer up before the afternoon.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 (100th parade)
Thanksgiving in New York
The 100th Macy's parade, a Thanksgiving dinner and the first weekend of the lights
⏳ In 26 days · Nov 26, 2026 Remind me
- The plan: Nov 25 – 284 days around Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 (100th parade)
- New York City25 places · Couple
- Facts checked Oct 31, 20267 sources, listed below
Catch the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, browse Midtown's holiday windows and the Rockettes show, then end with Dyker Heights' lights. Balanced days of food, markets and walks.
Day 1 is on us
4 days · 25 stops
What it's like in NovemberExpect highs near 12°C (54°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F), with about nine rainy days. Bring a warm coat, layers and an umbrella.
Day 1 · Wed, Nov 25 · Free
Dinosaurs and balloon eve
Museum afternoon, balloon inflation, then bistro dinner.
Photo: Pat T / Google12:30 PM · 45 min
LOS TACOS No.1
Taco restaurantFast, authentic Tijuana-style tacos before the museum.
4.8(3,564)Google$
42 min
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: American Museum of Natural History2:00 PM · 2 h 30 min
American Museum of Natural History
MuseumWorld-class exhibits, then balloon staging right outside.
3 min
4:45 PM · 1 h
Central Park West & West 77th Street
IntersectionWed, Nov 25: inflation open to public roughly 12:00-18:00.
34 min
Photo: Levain Bakery / Google6:19 PM · 30 min
Levain Bakery
BakeryFamous gooey chocolate chip walnut cookies; perfect parade snack.
4.7(3,923)Google$
30 min
Photo: Brasserie Boulud / Google7:30 PM · 1 h 30 min
Brasserie Boulud
French restaurantDaniel Boulud terrines and coq au vin near Lincoln Center.
4.3(1,301)Google$$$
The rest of the plan
19 stops
Day 2 · Thu, Nov 26
The 100th Thanksgiving Parade
5 stops · Central Park West, Columbus Circle
Day 3 · Fri, Nov 27
Midtown holiday magic
7 stops · Midtown, Fifth Avenue
Day 4 · Sat, Nov 28
Markets and Dyker Heights lights
7 stops · Union Square, West Village, Chelsea, Brooklyn
Get all 4 days
Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Nov 26.
- 4-day plan around the parade
- Where to watch, and when to get there
- Thanksgiving dinner and the holiday lights
- Offline maps in the app
Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refund
Give it as a giftGood to know
- Macy's calls the 2026 event the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it takes place on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- The count works because the parade began in 1924 and was suspended from 1942 to 1944 (rubber and helium were needed for World War II), so 2026 is the 100th edition rather than the 103rd.en.wikipedia.org · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Macy's says the parade marches a 2.5-mile route on Thanksgiving morning and ends at the Macy's Herald Square flagship; the route has run from 77th Street and Central Park West since 2009.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Public viewing is allowed along designated portions of the route and is managed by the NYPD; Macy's says more details will be posted later.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Macy's grandstand seating is not available to the general public and tickets are not for sale.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- The featured character balloons will be prepared for their flights on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, on Manhattan's Upper West Side; Macy's says details on public access to balloon inflation will come later.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Macy's partners with AHRC NYC for accessible viewing areas along the route; requests go to MacysParadeADA@AHRCNYC.org.macys.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
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