The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 8:30 a.m., and this year’s event already looks bigger than usual. The parade marks its 99th run, and the buildup to next year’s centennial adds more interest, more crowds and more pressure to plan the morning well. For many New Jersey residents, watching the parade in person feels like a holiday milestone. The key is knowing where to go, when to move and what to expect once you reach the route. But if you’d rather not deal with the crowd, NBC and Peacock show everything at home.
This Year’s Balloon Lineup
This year brings 34 giant balloons, including Bluey, Snoopy, Mario, Pikachu, Stuart the Minion and more. New balloons such as Derpy Tiger and Ice Crystals add some freshness to the lineup, while the signature Macy’s star balloons float throughout the morning. Families usually pack the Upper West Side early to see the balloons rise above the buildings, since that stretch of the route offers the best angle for photos.
Floats, Performers and Bands
Floats fill the rest of the march. Big Turkey Spectacular, Deck the Halls, Candy Cosmos, Tom Turkey, Heartwarming Holiday Countdown and the Stranger Things “Upside Down Invasion” float give the parade a wide range of themes. Performers include Ciara, Jewel, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Cynthia Erivo, Gavin DeGraw, Kool & the Gang, Shaggy, Lainey Wilson and Lil Jon. High schools and colleges from around the country send marching bands, while the NYPD Marching Band and the Macy’s Great American Marching Band anchor the musical lineup.
Best Viewing Spots for NJ Visitors
The parade is free to watch in the city. New Jersey visitors should expect a busy morning. The west side of Central Park West from West 75th Street to West 63rd Street offers the strongest viewing. People reach that area as early as 6 a.m., and the sidewalks fill by 7:15. The south side of West 59th Street between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue provides another steady option for families who want a little more room to breathe. Sixth Avenue stays open for viewing from West 59th Street to West 38th Street, and the long blocks give everyone a predictable sightline of the performers.
Areas to Avoid
Avoid Sixth Avenue between West 34th Street and West 38th Street, since national broadcast crews control most of those blocks. The same goes for West 34th Street near Herald Square. Many first-time visitors walk toward the broadcast zone for a closer look, but the crowds tighten and movement slows the moment you reach the area.
What NJ Transit Riders Should Know
NJ Transit riders should expect heavier flow from the Northeast Corridor, Montclair-Boonton, Morris and Essex, Rahway-area stops and Secaucus Junction. Early-morning trains carry a lot of families and small groups with folding chairs, and the 34th Street exits at Penn Station move slower than usual. The Seventh Avenue exit usually clears faster and brings you closer to the safer walking routes.
Balloon Inflation on Wednesday
Families who want a calmer option can check out the balloon inflation on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Viewing runs from 1 to 6 p.m. near West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. The line forms early, but the pace feels easier than parade morning. Kids usually enjoy seeing the balloons up close before they float above the skyline the next day. One thing you notice on inflation night: the colors look stronger when the balloons sit at street level, and photographers often get their best shots at this event.
Weather and What to Wear
The forecast calls for a cold day, so dress in layers if you’re heading in from New Jersey. Thursday’s low drops to 34 degrees after 11 p.m., and the high reaches only 45 degrees around midnight. Throughout the morning, temperatures stay cold, and the wind makes it feel more like 22 degrees to 33 degrees. Cloudy skies and no rain are expected. A thick jacket, gloves, a hat and warm boots will do, especially if you plan to settle in around 6 a.m. for a spot.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.