Macy's Thanksgiving
Red Hot Mamas perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Talent Rehearsals at Macy's Herald Square on Nov. 21, 2017, in New York City. Getty Images

The 2017 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin early Thursday at 9:00 a.m. EST from 77th Street and Central Park West with an estimated 3.2 million spectators. More than 8,000 people, including Macy’s employees along with their friends and families, celebrities, recording artists, athletes, Broadway performers, marching bands, clowns, dancers, cheerleaders and other performance groups, will participate in the parade.

Start Time And Route:

The 91st annual parade begins at 9 a.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC. From Central Park West and 77th Street, the parade marches south on Central Park West and turns at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South and then turns and heads south on 6th Avenue to 34th Street. It will then turn west on 34th Street where it stops outside Macy’s Herald Square.

Road Closure:

Formation for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday at the following locations:

  • 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

Additional closures are as follows:

  • Broadway between West 34th Street and West 40th Street: Midnight to 1 p.m.
  • 6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 42nd Street: 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 7th Avenue from West 34th Street and West 42nd Street: 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
  • 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue: 10 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m.
  • 59th Street E/B between 7th Avenue and Central Park West: Midnight to 2 p.m.
  • 59th Street W/B between 5th Avenue and Central Park West: 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue: 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue: 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue: 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 8th 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.
  • 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Central Park 65th Street/66th Street Transverse Roads: 7 a.m. until conclusion

From 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., vehicles will not be able to access:

  • 6th Avenue between West 33rd and West 59th Street
  • 8th Avenue between West 57th Street and West 59th Street
  • 8th Avenue between West 33rd and West 40th Streets
  • Broadway between 59th Street and 57th Street
  • Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries)
  • 42nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
  • 57th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue

Tips To Remember:

Dress warmly as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade lasts from 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. Bathrooms are scarce so hotels around the route are your best bet. Carry some snacks as restaurants and eateries near the parade may be crowded. Avoid carrying a stroller as pushing it through the crowd might be difficult.

Best Viewing Spots:

Try avoiding the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade official viewing area on 34th Street as it is the most crowded part of this New York parade. Line up on Central Park West for the best views. The best viewing spot is between 72nd Street/Central Park West and 61st Street.

Where To Watch Online:

You can watch the live stream of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the NBC New York live stream. Verizon will also be live streaming the parade on its YouTube page.

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