The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 takes over Manhattan on Thursday, November 26, and this one is special: it is the 100th parade. Macy’s is marking the centennial with a record 100 inflatables, the return of long-lost balloons and an earlier start time. Here is the date, time, route, best viewing spots, lineup news and where to leave your bags.
Last updated: October 8, 2026
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026: Quick Answer
| Date | Thursday, November 26, 2026 |
| Start time | 8:30 AM ET (ends around noon) |
| Edition | 100th parade |
| Route | 77th Street & Central Park West to Macy’s Herald Square (34th Street), about 2.5 miles |
| Tickets | Free. No public tickets are sold |
| TV & streaming | NBC, Telemundo and Peacock |
| Bags | No space for luggage on the route. Store bags near Herald Square or Penn Station |
Date, Time & Route
The parade steps off at 8:30 AM ET on Thanksgiving morning, half an hour earlier than the 9:00 AM start of 2025, and wraps up around noon when Santa Claus reaches Herald Square.
The route: 77th Street & Central Park West → south to Columbus Circle → east along Central Park South → south down Sixth Avenue → west on 34th Street to Macy’s Herald Square.
Why the 100th Parade Is in 2026
The first parade was held in 1924, but it was suspended from 1942 to 1944 during World War II. Those three missing years make 2026 the 100th edition.
New Balloons & 2026 Parade Lineup
Macy’s has announced a record 100 inflatables for the centennial. Highlights confirmed so far:
- The Blue Hippopotamus returns. The original floated away after the 1931 parade and was never found.
- Underdog is back for the first time since 1984.
- Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, a brand-new balloon.
- Felix the Cat, the parade’s first character balloon in 1927, rejoins the lineup.
- An “All-Stars” float with Bullwinkle, Popeye, Olive Oyl and Sonic the Hedgehog.
- A Tony Sarg tribute float recreating the 1920s designs of the artist behind the first parade balloons.
Musical performers and the full float list are usually announced in late October or early November. Check the official parade page for the final lineup.
Tickets, Packages & Viewing Options
Curbside viewing is free and no general admission tickets are sold. The grandstand seats you see on TV are invitation-only. If you find “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 tickets” for sale online, they are hotel or travel packages with a hosted viewing spot, not official tickets.
Where to Watch the Macy’s Parade
The two best stretches for the public are Central Park West (west side of the street, roughly 75th to 61st Street) and Sixth Avenue (59th to 38th Street), where the sidewalks are wider. In past years there has been no public viewing around Herald Square itself, which is reserved for the TV broadcast.
With the earlier 8:30 AM start, plan to be on Central Park West by 6:00 AM or on Sixth Avenue by 7:00 AM for a front-row spot. For a centennial crowd, earlier is safer.
Watching from home? The parade airs live on NBC and Telemundo and streams on Peacock, starting at 8:30 AM in all US time zones.
Where to Store Your Bags Near the Parade Route
Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year, and plenty of visitors arrive at Penn Station or Port Authority hours before hotel check-in. A suitcase on a shoulder-to-shoulder sidewalk is miserable for you and everyone around you, and you will not get near the curb with it.
Radical Storage has partner locations around Herald Square, Penn Station, Times Square and the Upper West Side. Book online, drop your bags, and pick them up after the parade. Every bag is covered by a guarantee of up to €10,000, and cancellation is free. Find luggage storage near Herald Square or see all luggage storage in New York City.
Balloon Inflation Event (November 25)
The day before the parade, Wednesday, November 25, you can watch the giant balloons being inflated around the American Museum of Natural History (77th and 81st Streets). It is free. In recent years it has been open from around noon to 6:00 PM; Macy’s confirms the 2026 hours and entry point closer to the date.
Getting Around & Travel Tips
Many Manhattan streets close early on Thanksgiving morning, so take the subway instead of a taxi or rideshare. Useful stops include 72 St, 59 St–Columbus Circle, 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center and 34 St–Herald Square.
Dress in layers and bring hand warmers and snacks. You will be standing still for hours on a cold November morning, and public restrooms along the route are scarce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Thursday, November 26, 2026. It starts at 8:30 AM ET and ends around noon.
The parade began in 1924 but was not held from 1942 to 1944 during World War II, so 2026 is the 100th edition.
No. Watching from the sidewalk is free and no public tickets are sold. Paid hotel and travel packages are optional.
About 2.5 miles, from 77th Street and Central Park West to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street.
NBC and Telemundo air it live, and Peacock streams it, starting at 8:30 AM in all US time zones.
Radical Storage has partner locations near Herald Square, Penn Station, Times Square and the Upper West Side. Book online, drop your bags and collect them after the parade.
For official details and updates, visit the Macy’s Parade official website.