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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, plus acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and more at the captivating light festival, Lektrik, at the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Fever
Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, plus acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and more at the captivating light festival, Lektrik, at the Queens Botanical Garden. Photo courtesy of Fever
11/29/24 - 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 grateful for so much this weekend, including two behind-the-scenes Thanksgiving Day Parade peeks: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation and Marching Bands Practice at the Seaport Museum. Then, Thursday brings the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland opens Friday, serving as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season.

We're anticipating classic holiday fun, like the New York City Ballet's Nutcracker at Lincoln Center, plus new holiday happenings, including the brilliant Lektrik light show setting the Queens Botanical Garden aglow. Read on for all our top picks for Thanksgiving Day weekend fun in NYC.

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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

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Through Monday, January 20, 2025
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

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Upper West Side – FREE
Wednesday, November 27
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

Marching Bands at the Seaport Museum

South Street Seaport – FREE
Wednesday, November 27
Get ready for a booming morning at the Seaport Museum—a front-row preview of the iconic New York City Thanksgiving Day Parade, a day early! Marching bands from the University of South Carolina and the University of Massachusetts take over Pier 16 with stationary performances that are sure to get you in the parade spirit. READ MORE

Lektrik at Queens Botanical Garden

Flushing, Queens
Opens Wednesday, November 27
Experience a kaleidoscope of photo-ops, acrobatic shows, tasty food, craft cocktails, live music, and so much more at this captivating light festival. READ MORE

98th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Upper West Side to Midtown West – FREE
Thursday, November 28
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches down the streets of New York City for its 98th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Brunch Cruise

South Street Seaport
Thursday, November 28
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

Sci Skate Opening Weekend

Flushing, Queens
Opens Friday, November 29
No need to bundle up for this special indoor skating experience: the SciSkate rink is made of eco-friendly polymer and the snow is beautifully projected. READ MORE

Macy's Santaland

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 29
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

Tianyu Lights Festival

Flushing, Queens
Opens Friday, November 29
Walk through a whimsical wonderland to see 7-year-old Koda’s dreams of a visit to Peru's rainforest through luminous art installations, with live cultural music and dance performances throughout the journey. READ MORE

Gingerbread House Decorating at Taste Buds Kitchen

Chelsea
Opens Saturday, November 30
Celebrate the holidays with family bonding and gingerbread fun, designing and decorating a gingerbread house surrounded by twinkling lights and delightful decorations. Taste Buds' experienced instructors guide you through every step, ensuring a fun and memorable experience for all.   READ MORE

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center

Upper West Side
Opens Friday, November 29
The New York City Ballet's annual confection returns, complete with the famous one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes, including one for Mother Ginger that measures nine feet wide and weighs 85 pounds! READ MORE

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Northern Manhattan Parks Super Hike

Inwood – FREE
Friday, November 29
Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike through the hills of Inwood Hill and Fort Tryon Parks, ending at the Heather Garden of Fort Tryon Park at Margaret Corbin Circle and Fort Washington Avenue. READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, November 30
JJ Byrne Park lights up with holiday cheer as Park Slope's Small Business group hosts its annual tree lighting event, complete with hot chocolate from Chela, churros from Simple Loaf Bakehouse, Christmas tunes from Music by Patrick, Bubbledad, and—of course—Santa! READ MORE

Mary Poppins at 92Y

Upper East Side
Opens Saturday, November 30
Discover the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious story of a magical, common-sensical nanny who arrives at one family’s home and opens their eyes to a world of adventure right under their noses. READ MORE

Holiday Nostalgia Rides

Lower East Side to Upper East Side – FREE
Debuts Sunday, December 1
Celebrate the magic of New York City during the holidays with a ride back in time on a vintage fleet of subway trains!  READ MORE

Roebling Rink Opening Week at Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo, Brooklyn
Daily through Sunday, December 1
Roebling Rink, the beautiful ice rink positioned beneath the historic Brooklyn Bridge, opens for the season with enthralling views of Manhattan, an expansive food and beverage selection, and more.  READ MORE

Domino Square Ice Rink Season Opening

Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Daily through Sunday, December 1
Williamsburg's very first waterfront ice rink at Domino Square is a stunning 7,000-square-foot rink that invites skaters of all ages to enjoy a magical winter experience with the Manhattan skyline as a breathtaking backdrop.  Monday-Wednesday, Nov 25-27, tickets are just $2! READ MORE

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