These roads will be closed ahead of the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City

With the Thanksgiving Day Parade returning this year, New Yorkers can expect road closures as the balloons get blown up on Wednesday and during the parade itself on Thursday.

From noon to 6 p.m. on Nov. 24, balloon inflation will take place. Spectators are welcome to enter the queue at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue and must show proof of vaccination (if over the age of 12) and provide proof to their screeners in order to attend the balloon inflation. Children under 12 years old may attend with a fully vaccinated adult. Attendees will be encouraged to social distance & masks will be required at all times. Large backpacks, coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs and umbrellas are prohibited.

Once screened, spectators will enter the inflation viewing area at West 72nd Street and Central Park West. The balloon viewing path winds around the American Museum of Natural History. Spectators exit the viewing area at West 81st Street and Central Park West.

At 7 a.m. that morning, West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic. At 8 a.m., West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenues will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Here’s a rundown of what street closures will take place at noon:

Central Park West from West 73rd to 85th Streets
West 74th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 75th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 76th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 77th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 78th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 80th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 81st Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 82nd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 83rd Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 84th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
West 85th Street between Columbus and Central Park West Avenues
Central Park Transverse Road at Central Park West and West 81 St. (both directions)

After 10 p.m., West 81st Street and West 77th Street from Central Park West to Columbus Avenue. Central Park West from West 59th Street to West 86th Street will also be closed to all traffic. “Broadcast vehicles only” may park beginning at 9 a.m. on the east side of Columbus Avenue from West 77th Street to West 76th Street, however all broadcast vehicles must be off Columbus Avenue by 11:30 p.m.

On Thanksgiving Day, the parade will start at 9 a.m. and will head south on Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then south through E/S Columbus Circle to West 59th Street, east on West 59th Street to 6th Avenue, then south on 6th Avenue to West 34th Street, finishing after heading west on West 34th Street to 7th Avenue.

Formation for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. 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 41st 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.
West 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue – 10 p.m. (Wed) to 5 p.m.
West 59th Street E/B between 7th Avenue and Central Park West – Midnight to 2 p.m.
West 59th Street W/B between 5th Avenue and Central Park West – 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue – 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
West 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue – 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue – 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue – 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 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.
West 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue – 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads 7 a.m. until conclusion

From 9 a.m. to 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 West 59th Street and West 57th Street; Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries); West 42nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue; West 57th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue. The ADA areas will include E/S of 6th Avenue in between West 57th Street and West 59th Street with parking S/S of West 59th Street from 6th Avenue, east to Plaza Street.

There will also be no parking ten car lengths from any crosswalk on the side streets along the entire parade route, and posted parking regulations will also be enforced.

Heavy traffic conditions are expected as a result of each day, so use of mass transit is highly encouraged. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should alert a police officer or call 911. The NYPD’s terrorism hotline is 888-NYC-SAFE.