The Holiday Almanac · Thanksgiving
What to do in New York from Wednesday, November 25 to Sunday, November 29, 2026: balloon inflation and the 100th Macy's parade, the Rockettes, free skating, holiday windows and markets, garden lights, and which museums close on Thanksgiving.
Checked on the organizers’ own pages, October 25, 2026
Thanksgiving weekend is when New York switches from fall to the holidays. The parade fills Thursday morning, the windows and rinks are open, and by Friday the light shows have started in the Bronx and Brooklyn.
We took every date, time and price from the organizer's own site on October 25, 2026, and we've marked what hasn't been announced yet, like the parade's 2026 route details and balloon-inflation access. For Thursday dinner, see our Thanksgiving dinner guide; for turkeys and pies to take home, the takeout guide.
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
Saks unveils its 2026 "Main Character Energy" windows on Monday, November 23, with the light show playing across its façade in the evenings.
Showtimes for 2026 aren't out yet; last year the show ran every 10 minutes from 5 to 11pm.
Source: Press ↗
Upper West Side2026 not yet announced
The parade's balloons are blown up the afternoon before, and the public can usually walk past them. Macy's says details on public access will come later.
In 2025 the viewing line formed at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue, with entry at 72nd Street and Central Park West; we'll update this when the 2026 route is posted.
Source: Official site ↗
Central Park West to Herald SquareConfirmed for 2026
The 100th parade steps off at 8:30am with a record 100 inflatables, including the new Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey and Underdog flying for the first time since 1984. On NBC, Peacock and Telemundo at 8:30am in every time zone.
Herald Square itself is a broadcast zone with no public viewing; Central Park West and Sixth Avenue are the places to stand.
Source: Official site ↗ · On LovelyNYC →
Prospect Park, BrooklynConfirmed for 2026
Brooklyn's charity Thanksgiving-morning race, five miles around Prospect Park. It usually sells out.
Source: Organizer ↗
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
Shows run all weekend: Wednesday at 11, 2, 5 and 8; Thanksgiving Day at 2, 5 and 8pm; and five a day Friday to Sunday (10am, 1, 4, 7 and 10pm).
Source: Organizer ↗
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
The free rink and the holiday shops stay open on Thanksgiving Day itself, with the shops open 11am to 8pm, a good stop after the parade.
Source: Official site ↗
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
Skating under the Rockefeller Center tree, which arrives November 7 and stands unlit through the weekend; the lighting is Wednesday, December 2.
Source: Official site ↗
Herald SquareConfirmed for 2026
This year's windows tell the story of the parade's lost 1931 Blue Hippo balloon. They're up from November 19 to January 4.
Source: Press ↗
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
An indoor artisan market in Grand Central's Vanderbilt Hall. It's closed on Thanksgiving Day, then open Friday to Sunday.
Source: Official site ↗
The BronxConfirmed for 2026
Model trains running past New York landmarks built from bark, leaves and seeds, with evening hours and programs from 5 to 8pm on November 27, 28 and 29.
Source: Organizer ↗
The BronxConfirmed for 2026
Lantern trails through the zoo after dark, open Friday to Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend (not Wednesday or Thursday).
Source: Press ↗
Prospect Heights, BrooklynConfirmed for 2026
An illuminated night trail through the garden, newly laid out for 2026.
Source: Organizer ↗
MidtownConfirmed for 2026
MoMA is closed on Thanksgiving but open late on Friday, when New York State residents get in free in the evening.
Source: Official site ↗
Upper East SideConfirmed for 2026
The Met is closed both Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day, then open late Friday and Saturday.
Source: Official site ↗
CitywideConfirmed for 2026
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is the national shop-local day; our neighborhood guides are a good place to start.
Source: Organizer ↗
Good to know
The parade (8:30am), the free Bryant Park rink and its holiday shops (shops 11am–8pm), The Rink at Rockefeller Center, the Rockettes (2, 5 and 8pm) and many restaurants. The Met, MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History and the Grand Central Holiday Fair are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026, the week after Thanksgiving. The tree arrives November 7, so it's up but unlit over Thanksgiving weekend.
Usually, yes: the balloons are inflated the afternoon before, Wednesday, November 25, beside the American Museum of Natural History. Macy's says details on public access for 2026 will be announced later.
Yes. MoMA is open 10:30am to 8:30pm on Friday, November 27, and free for New York State residents from 5:30pm (reserve ahead); the Met reopens Friday from 10am to 9pm.
Notes on the dates
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