How To Get Tickets To Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2017

Watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a free experience those visiting or living in New York can experience once a year on Thanksgiving Day, however, getting tickets for seating isn’t as easy as some would hope.

Macy’s official website for the 2017 event states very clearly, “grandstand tickets are not for sale to the general public.” Tickets for the event are typically used for guests of performers and Macy’s employees. However, it does appear there is a way to buy a seat, if you’re willing to pay the price.

Some New York City hotels offer ticket and room packages for Thanksgiving week. The Stewart Hotel has a two-ticket grandstand seating and studio suite room package listed with prices starting at $999. Some hotels, though not offering actual tickets to the parade, are advertising guaranteed views for guests.

Elsewhere, The JW Marriott Essex House is advertising “unparalleled views” from Central Park south for those who book one of their guest rooms. The Trump International Hotel & Tower is also offering “front-row access” to the parade with “VIP viewing in front of the hotel.”

While parade seating tickets are not easily accessible, you can snag tickets to a pre-taped performance by singer Gwen Stefani. “The Voice” judge, who is listed as one of the parade’s celebrity guests this year, will be filming her portion on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 8:30 a.m. at New York City’s Bryant Park ice rink. You must be 18 years or older to request tickets through 1iota.com. Tickets are free and users can request up to two per entry.

If you’d like to experience the Thanksgiving parade in person on the holiday without a seat, there are dozens of viewing spots available throughout the city. The parade begins at 9 a.m. EST on Nov. 23 at 77th St. and Central Park West, right next to Central Park. The event continues down 6th Ave. before ending at 34th St. near Macy’s in Herald Square. This means there are 2.5 miles of public viewing space available.

Of course, you can always watch the parade on TV. The parade will air live on NBC from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST and will also be available to view via live stream. ABC and CBS are also broadcasting the show live.

As per usual, there will be dozens of balloon floats, celebrity guests and live entertainment during the parade. This year will see the inclusion of “Frozen,” “Paw Patrol,” “The Grinch” and “Super Wings” floats. Some of the A-lister appearances include the previously mentioned Stefani, Common, Smokey Robinson, JoJo Siwa, Sabrina Carpenter, The Rockettes and many more. Of course, there will also be a cameo by the Tom Turkey float and the big man himself, Santa Claus.