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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

Pier 17 hosts the sparkly, photo-opp, and fun-filled Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland. Photo by Jody Mercier
Pier 17 hosts the sparkly, photo-opp, and fun-filled Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland. Photo by Jody Mercier
11/24/23 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

We're sending up a cheer of gratitude for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland, which all serve as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season. Catch a Christmas tree lighting in Park Slope, roller skate around the Oculus, or scoot out to the opening of the Brooklyn Children's Museum's ArtRink.

The classic New York City Ballet Nutcracker takes the stage at Lincoln Center. PaleyLand opens with Santa and more special guests, and Astra Lumina sets the Queens Botanical Garden aglow.

If you're looking ahead to holiday fun, have we got a deal for you: We're hosting a Gingerbread House Decorating event on Saturday, December 2, and there's a limited number of discounted early bird tickets up for grabs. Our NYC Kids' Guide to Christmas and the Holidays is positively lit with more holiday activities, including our must-do Christmas events.

More Things To Do in New York City This Week With Kids

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Santa rolls into town at the tail end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and starts taking gift requests at Santaland on Friday. Photo by Jody Mercier
Santa rolls into town at the tail end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and starts taking gift requests at Santaland on Friday. Photo by Jody Mercier

Best Things To Do in NYC Thanksgiving Weekend

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Upper West Side
Wednesday, November 22
The Macy's Balloon Inflation returns! Watching the giant balloons expand is a tradition for many NYC families—almost as important as the Thanksgiving Day Parade proper.  READ MORE

Thanksgiving Eve Carnival

Upper West Side
Wednesday, November 22
The Anderson School invites the community to its annual Thanksgiving Eve Carnival. Enjoy activities, prizes, snacks, and more in the schoolyard, which offers a sneak peek at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. READ MORE

The Santa Clauses Winter Wonderland

South Street Seaport
Opens Wednesday, November 22
The Rooftop at Pier 17 morphs into the ultimate Santa Clauses’ headquarters, with unmatched panoramic views of NYC's iconic skyline and Manhattan’s only rooftop skating rink. The fully immersive holiday activation is inspired by and celebrates season two of the Disney+ original series, The Santa Clauses. READ MORE

98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Upper West Side to Midtown West–FREE
Thursday, November 23
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down the streets of New York City for its 987th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

Gobble Gobble Give

Harlem–FREE
Thursday, November 23
The Apollo's 4th Annual Toy and Donation Drive welcomes young givers this year with a crafting station where families can make holiday cards, ornaments, and charm bracelets for the children who will receive the toys and donations. A professional photographer is available to take free family portraits in front of the famous Apollo Theater marquee, too. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Brunch Cruise

South Street Seaport
Thursday, November 23
Attention hungry pilgrims: this NYC Thanksgiving brunch extravaganza is for you. Take in stunning views of the Big Apple under a crisp autumn sky, a curated brunch Thanksgiving menu at your fingertips and mimosas in hand. READ MORE

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Prospect Park Waterways

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, November 24
Set yourself a post-Thanksgiving challenge as a family, and walk around the waterways of Prospect Park. Learn about the plants and animals that live in Lake Prospect and Fredrick Law Olmstead’s inspiration in connecting the waterways. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration

Upper West Side
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
Shake your turkey feathers and share what you are thankful for at CMOM's weekend Thanksgiving celebration. READ MORE

Macy's Santaland

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 24
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! Wander the rainbow road to his workshop, where you'll meet jolly old St. Nick. Share your wishlist before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. READ MORE

ArtRink Opening Weekend

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Opens Friday, November 24
Grab your winter coat and a warm pair of socks and glide onto the Brooklyn Children's Museum's large-scale rooftop winter installation! ArtRink is a 3,200-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink and art exhibition, which features a winter village with five houses each designed by a different artist. The 2023 theme is We Grow Together. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria

Midtown West
Starts Friday, November 24
Bring Christmas to life for your family with a magical morning at Stella 34 Trattoria. Families meet and have breakfast with Santa Claus (and his elves) in the store that brought you The Miracle on 34th Street. Adults can indulge in an early morning mimosa. READ MORE

Astra Lumina

Flushing, Queens
Opens Friday, November 24
Astra Lumina at Queens Botanical Garden is one-mile-long enchanted night walk through the garden that guides visitors on a journey to discover the wonder of visiting stars. Through the magic of projections, lighting, and music, astral energy transforms the garden into a celestial pathway, connecting visitors to the stars and the vast world around them. READ MORE

Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection

Upper West Side
Opens Friday, November 24
The Holiday Express returns to New-York Historical Society creating a magical winter wonderland full of toy trains, figurines, and miniatures from the renowned Jerni Collection. Exhibits illustrate the workings of the railroad, its services, and how it helps keep people and goods on the move. READ MORE

Oculus Winter Whirl Roller Rink Opening Weekend

Financial District
Opens Friday, November 24
Roller skate your way around The Oculus on its breathtaking rink, framed by the world-famous and iconic architecture of the building. Lace-up your own skates or borrow a pair of high-quality skates on-site. READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, November 25
JJ Byrne Park lights up with holiday cheer as Park Slope's Small Business group hosts its annual tree lighting event, complete with touch-a-truck, carol singing with the Park Slope Conservancy, wrapped treats, and—of course—Santa! READ MORE

PaleyLand Opening Weekend

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 25
PaleyLand returns with the arrival of Santa Claus and a packed schedule of weekend meet and greets, photo ops with beloved holiday characters, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, Blizz the Snowman, and a Toy Soldier. READ MORE

James and the Giant Peach

Upper East Side
Saturday, November 25-Sunday, November 26
Roald Dahl's fantastical tale of a boy, his insect friends and their amazing journey across the ocean in a giant peach features a wickedly tuneful score by the Tony Award-nominated team of Pasek and Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman) and a curiously quirky book by Timothy Allen McDonald . READ MORE

Peter Pantomime

Upper East Side
Sunday, November 26
Don't miss this charming and imaginative retelling of the beloved Peter Pan classic. Clap for the sweet but sassy Tinkerbell, hiss at the sly Captain Hook, and cheer for the playful, mischievous Peter Pan. READ MORE

Pinkalicious The Musical-Sold Out

Midtown West
Sunday, November 26
Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament. READ MORE

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Select date through Sunday, January 7, 2023
Holiday Lights return to the Bronx Zoo, bigger, brighter, and greener than ever before. The beloved holiday tradition covers acres of the zoo, lighting the grounds with custom Asian lanterns, wildlife-themed LED displays, and animated light shows on the historic Astor Court. READ MORE

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Select dates through Monday, January 15, 2024
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show returns for its 33rd year! Model trains zip through a miniature wonderland of nearly 200 New York landmark replicas, each re-created from natural materials such as leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. READ MORE

Trolls x CAMP

Flatiron
Select dates through Monday, February 19, 2024
Step into the joyful, rainbow-colored world of Trolls for a one-of-a-kind musical adventure at Trolls x CAMP. Play and explore in Bergen Town, Vacay Island, and Pop Village —all your favorite locations from the Trolls movies brought to life! It all culminates with a wild, interactive car chase and a live Trollpop concert . READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Oculus at World Trade Center
Actors Temple Theatre