Three point five million people crowd Manhattan’s streets every Thanksgiving morning.
They’re not there by accident.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been pulling these crowds since 1924, and in 2025, you’re watching the 99th edition unfold through one of America’s most iconic locations. Times Square sits right along the route, transforming from its usual electric chaos into something different entirely.
You’ve seen the parade on TV. Standing there hits differently.
Getting Your Spot: Complete Times Square Parade Viewing Guide
The parade kicks off at 9:00 AM from 77th Street and Central Park West, but your Thanksgiving morning starts much earlier.
When to Arrive for Optimal Viewing
Arrive by 6:00 AM if you want front-row positions along the parade route. Prime viewing spots on Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets fill completely by 7:00 AM. After 8:00 AM, you’re competing with thousands who thought sleeping in was worth accepting limited sight lines.
The west side of Central Park West between 75th and 61st Streets offers excellent uptown viewing, but Times Square provides something unique: you’re surrounded by those massive digital screens and LED billboards that make this location instantly recognizable worldwide.
What time should I arrive for Thanksgiving parade in Times Square?
Arrive by 6:00 AM for prime front-row viewing positions along Broadway or 7th Avenue. After 8:00 AM, expect limited sight lines with crowds 15-20 people deep. For acceptable viewing spots with some position choice, arrive by 7:00-7:30 AM. The earlier you arrive, the better your viewing angle and proximity to the parade route.
When does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade go through Times Square?
The parade reaches Times Square between 9:30-10:00 AM after starting at 9:00 AM from 77th Street and Central Park West. The full parade passes through Times Square over 60-90 minutes, with final floats and performers concluding by 10:30-11:00 AM. Times Square represents the mid-route section where parade energy peaks before the Macy’s Herald Square finish.
Parade Route Through Times Square
The 2.5-mile route starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, winds down to Columbus Circle, then heads east along Central Park South before turning south on Sixth Avenue. The parade enters Times Square at 42nd Street and Broadway around 9:30-10:00 AM, continuing north through the heart of Times Square before heading to the Macy’s Herald Square terminus at 34th Street.
Times Square positions you near the route’s midpoint where parade energy peaks. Performers are warmed up, balloons are fully visible against the urban skyline, and the crowd atmosphere reaches maximum intensity.
Prime Viewing Locations in Times Square
Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets: Direct parade route viewing with full balloon visibility. Expect crowds 15-20 people deep. Arrive before 6:30 AM for front positions.
7th Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets: Excellent sight lines with typically less crowding than Broadway. Good compromise between visibility and accessibility.
Times Square pedestrian plazas: Limited direct parade views but festival atmosphere access. Better for experiencing Times Square energy than watching parade closely.
TKTS red steps area: Elevated viewing advantage but fills extremely early (before 6:00 AM). Once capacity reached, NYPD restricts access.
Side streets intersecting Broadway: 43rd, 44th, 45th Streets offer partial parade views with easier access to restaurants and bathrooms.
Crowd Management and Viewing Strategy
NYPD installs barricades Wednesday evening along the entire parade route. These barricades restrict cross-street movement during the parade, so choose your viewing location carefully. You won’t be able to relocate easily once crowds form.
Crowd density reaches 15-20 people deep along Broadway in Times Square. Late arrivals (after 8:00 AM) typically see only balloon tops and taller float elements unless positioned on elevated surfaces.
What to Bring for Multi-Hour Waits
Layered clothing: November morning temperatures range 30-45°F, but standing stationary for hours makes conditions feel significantly colder. Thermal underlayers, mid-layer sweater, waterproof wind-resistant outer layer essential.
Blankets or low-profile folding chairs: Comfort matters during 3-4 hour waits from arrival to parade conclusion. Chairs must be low-profile to avoid blocking views behind you.
Thermoses with hot beverages: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate provide warmth. Street vendors sell drinks but lines are long and prices inflated.
Snacks and breakfast items: Limited food vendor access once crowds form and barricades restrict movement.
Portable phone chargers: Cold weather drains batteries quickly. Capturing photos and video throughout morning requires backup power.
Small bags only: NYPD security screening restricts large backpacks and oversized bags. Travel light.
Parade Viewing Alternatives
NBC live broadcast from restaurants: Some Times Square restaurants open early with TV coverage, offering indoor comfort while watching parade.
Post-parade balloon deflation: After parade concludes, balloons are deflated at 77th Street and Central Park West. Less crowded viewing of parade elements up close.
Pre-parade balloon inflation: Wednesday 12:00-6:00 PM near American Museum of Natural History. Watch 32 massive balloons take shape, creating its own tradition drawing significant crowds.
The 2025 parade features 32 balloons, 27 floats, and 11 marching bands. That’s 5,000 volunteers coordinating a spectacle NBC pays $60 million to broadcast. You’re watching what millions see on television, except you’re standing in the cold surrounded by strangers, and somehow it matters more.
Because you’re actually there, in Times Square, where those massive LED billboards provide the backdrop that makes your parade photos instantly recognizable anywhere in the world.
Times Square Thanksgiving Day Atmosphere: Beyond the Parade
Times Square doesn’t just host the parade. It amplifies everything around it through unique atmosphere found nowhere else in the city.
Holiday Environment and Festive Energy
Festive decorations transform Times Square starting early November. By Thanksgiving, holiday lighting displays are fully operational, digital billboards cycle through seasonal content, and the entire pedestrian zone radiates holiday atmosphere.
The crowd energy differs from typical Times Square chaos. Thanksgiving brings families bundled in matching scarves, international tourists experiencing American traditions firsthand, and locals who’ve claimed the same viewing corners for years. The compressed, concentrated energy creates festival atmosphere distinct from normal Times Square intensity.
Street vendors appear hours before parade, selling coffee that tastes like cardboard but warms your hands, hot chocolate, breakfast sandwiches, roasted nuts. By 7:00 AM, food aromas fill the air between buildings, mixing with cold November wind.
Post-Parade Times Square Activities
After parade dispersal (approximately 11:00 AM-noon), Times Square offers opportunities unavailable during parade hours.
Late morning exploration without extreme crowds. Navigate pedestrian plazas, photograph billboards without thousands blocking shots, access restaurants that were inaccessible during parade crush.
Restaurant availability improves post-parade for establishments offering Thanksgiving lunch service (11:00 AM-2:00 PM). Many visitors capitalize on this window for late breakfast or early Thanksgiving meal.
Shopping options increase as major Times Square retail stores open Thanksgiving afternoon (typically 12:00-1:00 PM), launching Black Friday sales early for visitors in the area.
Holiday season kickoff atmosphere intensifies as Thanksgiving marks official transition to winter holidays. Digital displays shift to Christmas and New Year’s content, creating visual transformation throughout afternoon and evening.
Thanksgiving Week Visitor Patterns
Wednesday before Thanksgiving: Busiest travel day nationally. Times Square sees heavy tourist concentration as visitors arrive and explore before parade morning. Many restaurants and attractions experience peak crowding Wednesday evening.
Thanksgiving Day: Morning dominated by parade crowds (peak 6:00 AM-11:00 AM), moderate afternoon traffic post-parade, increased evening activity as visitors return for dinner and atmosphere.
Black Friday: Heavy retail-focused traffic starting early morning (some stores open midnight), sustained crowds throughout day mixing deal-hunters with tourists.
Thanksgiving weekend: Elevated visitor numbers through Sunday as holiday travelers explore NYC. Times Square maintains festival atmosphere all weekend.
Times Square as Celebration Setting
Couples use Times Square’s iconic backdrop for Thanksgiving engagement proposals. The combination of holiday atmosphere and globally recognizable location creates memorable milestone moments.
Multi-generational families document Thanksgiving NYC trips with Times Square as required photo location. The billboards and digital displays make images instantly identifiable without explanation.
Content creators and influencers treat Times Square as essential Thanksgiving content backdrop. Instagram, TikTok, YouTube creators capture parade atmosphere, crowd energy, and iconic setting throughout the day.
Special occasion visibility opportunities emerge naturally. Visitors discover that Times Square’s big screens display not just commercial advertising but personal messages, celebrations, and announcements, adding layer to the experience.
Weather, Comfort, and Photography Considerations
November temperatures average 40-50°F with significant wind chill factor due to building wind tunnels in Times Square. Dress in thermal layers with waterproof outer protection. Hat, gloves, scarf essential even on moderate-temperature days.
Indoor warming stations: Times Square hotels, restaurants, and retail stores provide breaks from cold. Strategic warming breaks every 60-90 minutes maintain comfort during extended outdoor time.
Restroom access requires planning. Limited public facilities near parade route, long lines at available locations. Restaurant restrooms (for customers), hotel lobbies, and subway stations become strategic options.
Photography benefits from Times Square’s LED billboard lighting, providing excellent illumination for evening photos. Early morning or late evening offer less crowded shots. Digital billboards create colorful, dynamic backgrounds impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Times Square’s combination of parade tradition, holiday atmosphere, and iconic visibility creates Thanksgiving experience found nowhere else. This is where American holiday celebration meets global recognition.
Where To Eat When Three Million People Have The Same Idea
Restaurants near Times Square know what Thanksgiving brings. They prepare for it months in advance.
Brooklyn Diner at 155 West 43rd Street serves a classic turkey dinner with all the fixings for $49. You get brioche stuffing, noodle kugel, roasted brussels sprouts, cranberry chutney, and giblet gravy. The portions are generous. The atmosphere is classic New York diner with Thanksgiving overlay.
Carmine’s in Times Square offers family-style Italian with a Thanksgiving twist. Locals recommend it to visitors specifically because it handles large groups well and maintains quality despite the tourist volume.
Budget matters when you’re planning Thanksgiving in NYC. Expect to pay 30-50% more than other times of year. Hotels, restaurants, attractions all charge peak-season rates. That $49 dinner at Brooklyn Diner becomes a reasonable option when other places are charging $75-95 for similar meals.
Book early. September isn’t too soon for Thanksgiving reservations at popular spots.
If you’re looking for something different, Pink Taco offers a Thanksgiving dinner with roast turkey for $40 per adult. The atmosphere skews younger, the vibe is less traditional, but the value proposition works for visitors watching their budgets.
Some visitors skip the sit-down meal entirely. They grab street food, eat in their hotel room, or plan their main meal for later in the evening when the crowds thin and prices drop slightly.
The key is deciding what matters to you. The traditional turkey dinner in a classic New York restaurant? The convenience of eating near your viewing spot? The budget-friendly option that leaves room for other experiences?
Times Square gives you all those choices within a few blocks.
Additional Dining Options and Strategies
Hotel restaurants provide most reliable Thanksgiving service: Marriott Marquis View Restaurant, Westin New York at Times Square’s Foundry Kitchen, and Renaissance New York Times Square Hotel offer traditional Thanksgiving menus with advance reservations.
Chain restaurants maintain modified Thanksgiving hours: Applebee’s, Olive Garden, and similar chains often operate with limited menus. Confirm specific location hours in advance.
Ethnic cuisine alternatives for non-traditional Thanksgiving: Chinese restaurants (many remain open), Italian trattorias, Irish pubs frequently offer alternatives to turkey dinner.
Quick-service options for budget-conscious visitors: Times Square has numerous pizza spots, sandwich shops, and fast-casual restaurants operating normal hours.
Timing Your Thanksgiving Meal
Early dinner (2:00-4:00 PM): Easier reservation availability, less crowded, family-friendly timing after parade ends.
Traditional dinner (5:00-7:00 PM): Peak demand requires advance reservations 3-4 weeks minimum, expect full restaurants.
Late dinner (8:00 PM+): Possible walk-in availability at some establishments, fewer family groups, more relaxed atmosphere.
Grocery and Prepared Food Alternatives
Whole Foods Columbus Circle (10 Columbus Circle, short walk from Times Square): Pre-ordered Thanksgiving meals, prepared sides, desserts available for pickup. Enables hotel room Thanksgiving dinner at fraction of restaurant costs.
Gourmet markets like Dean & DeLuca offer prepared Thanksgiving components. Some visitors prefer assembling meal from quality prepared foods rather than restaurant dining.
Practical Logistics: Transportation, Crowds, and Safety
Understanding Times Square Thanksgiving logistics transforms potentially stressful experience into well-executed plan.
Transportation to Times Square
Subway operates normal schedules Thanksgiving Day with trains running on typical Thursday frequency. Key lines serving Times Square: N, Q, R, W (Broadway lines), 1, 2, 3 (7th Avenue), 7 (42nd Street crosstown).
Expect crowded trains 6:00-9:00 AM as parade-goers converge on viewing locations. Trains heading uptown toward Central Park West starting points typically more crowded than downtown-heading trains.
Some Times Square subway entrances close during parade for crowd control. NYPD restricts access to stations directly on parade route during peak hours. Plan alternative entry points if your preferred entrance is closed.
Walking often beats public transit if you’re within one mile of Times Square. Street-level navigation provides more flexibility than underground subway navigation during parade morning.
Taxis and rideshares face significant challenges due to street closures. Expect surge pricing and limited availability near parade route.
Street Closures and Pedestrian Access
Broadway closes to vehicles throughout Times Square pedestrian zone starting Wednesday evening for Thursday morning parade. Vehicle traffic doesn’t resume until early afternoon Thursday.
Cross-streets (42nd-47th Streets) face restrictions Thanksgiving morning. NYPD controls pedestrian flow across Broadway, limiting movement perpendicular to parade route during event.
Barricades installed Wednesday evening remain in place through parade conclusion. Once positioned behind barricades in viewing area, crossing to opposite side of Broadway becomes impossible until parade ends.
Post-parade reopening: Streets gradually reopen as parade moves south. Times Square area typically fully reopened to normal traffic by 12:00-1:00 PM.
Crowd Management and Safety Strategies
Arrive extremely early (5:30-6:00 AM) for prime positions. Crowds 15-20 people deep along Broadway make late arrival viewing extremely difficult.
Choose less popular viewing spots: 7th Avenue typically 20-30% less crowded than Broadway with comparable viewing quality.
Use bathroom facilities before arrival. Once crowds form and barricades restrict movement, leaving and returning to your spot becomes impossible. Plan accordingly.
Group coordination essential: Establish specific meeting points in case group separates. Cell service congestion can make phone contact unreliable during peak hours.
Emergency exits: Know cross-street locations for leaving area if crowds become uncomfortable or emergencies arise.
Hotel and Accommodation Strategy
Book 4-6 months minimum in advance for Thanksgiving weekend Times Square hotels. Six months isn’t excessive for this peak demand period.
Times Square hotels command premium pricing Thanksgiving week but provide convenient parade access. Walking distance beats dealing with transportation during parade morning.
Parade-view hotel rooms exist at significant rate premiums (50-100% above standard rooms). Determine if in-room parade viewing justifies cost vs. street-level experience.
Confirm hotel services: Some hotel restaurants close Thanksgiving, room service may be limited, amenities may operate on modified schedules.
Alternative neighborhoods: Midtown West, Hell’s Kitchen, Upper West Side offer proximity to Times Square with potentially lower rates.
Safety, Security, and Emergency Procedures
Heavy NYPD presence throughout Times Square Thanksgiving morning. Officers stationed every block, mobile command centers, extensive surveillance.
Security screening checkpoints along parade route check bags before entry to viewing areas. Expect brief delays during security checks.
First aid stations and medical personnel stationed throughout Times Square area. NYPD can direct to nearest medical services if needed.
Lost children procedures: NYPD maintains designated meeting points for lost child reunification. Notify nearest officer immediately if child separates from group.
Cell service congestion common due to high user concentration. Don’t rely solely on phones for group coordination. Establish physical meeting points and timing in advance.
Weather Preparation Checklist
Check forecast 2-3 days before Thanksgiving. NYC November weather varies widely (potential 30-60°F range).
Layer strategy: Thermal underlayer, fleece or wool mid-layer, wind-resistant waterproof outer layer. Ability to add or remove layers as needed.
Accessories non-negotiable: Hat (significant heat loss through head), gloves (fingers get cold quickly), scarf (neck protection from wind).
Waterproof footwear: Comfortable shoes for hours of standing. Waterproof protection against potential rain or snow.
Hand warmers: Disposable heat packs provide portable warmth during extended outdoor time.
Planning these logistics in advance separates comfortable, enjoyable Thanksgiving Times Square experience from miserable, stressful ordeal. Details matter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thanksgiving in Times Square
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade reach Times Square?
The parade reaches Times Square between 9:30-10:00 AM, approximately 30-60 minutes after the 9:00 AM start at 77th Street and Central Park West. The full parade passes through Times Square over 60-90 minutes. Final floats and performers typically pass Times Square by 10:30-11:00 AM. Times Square represents the mid-route section where parade atmosphere peaks before the Herald Square finish line.
Where is the best place to watch the parade in Times Square?
Broadway between 42nd and 47th Streets offers the best direct parade viewing with full visibility of balloons, floats, and performers. Arrive before 6:30 AM for front-row positions. 7th Avenue between 42nd and 47th Streets provides excellent sight lines with typically 20-30% less crowding than Broadway, making it the best balance between visibility and accessibility for late arrivals (7:00-7:30 AM).
What should I bring to watch the Thanksgiving parade?
Essential items include layered warm clothing (thermals, mid-layer, waterproof outer jacket), hat, gloves, scarf for 30-45°F temperatures that feel colder standing stationary. Blankets or low-profile folding chairs for comfort during 3-4 hour waits. Thermoses with hot beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate). Snacks and breakfast items. Portable phone chargers (cold drains batteries quickly). Small bags only as NYPD restricts large backpacks during security screening.
Are Times Square restaurants open on Thanksgiving?
Many Times Square restaurants close on Thanksgiving or operate limited hours. Restaurants remaining open typically require advance reservations 3-4 weeks minimum. Hotel restaurants provide most reliable Thanksgiving service: Marriott Marquis, Westin, Renaissance offer traditional turkey dinners with reservations. Brooklyn Diner (155 W 43rd St) serves Thanksgiving dinner for $49. Expect 30-50% premium pricing above typical rates. Some chain restaurants and ethnic cuisine alternatives maintain modified hours.
How crowded is Times Square on Thanksgiving Day?
Extremely crowded during parade hours (6:00 AM-11:00 AM). The parade attracts 3.5 million spectators citywide, with Times Square representing a prime viewing concentration point. Crowds reach 15-20 people deep along Broadway. Arrive by 6:00 AM for manageable crowds; after 8:00 AM expect limited sight lines and difficult navigation. Post-parade (after 11:00 AM), crowds disperse significantly, returning Times Square to moderate holiday tourist levels rather than extreme parade density.
What is the weather like in Times Square during Thanksgiving?
November weather in Times Square averages 40-50°F but feels significantly colder standing stationary for hours. Morning temperatures Thanksgiving week typically range 30-45°F with wind chill making conditions feel 5-10 degrees colder. Dress in thermal layers with waterproof wind-resistant outer protection. Hat, gloves, scarf essential. Potential for rain or first seasonal snow. Check specific forecast 2-3 days before arrival for accurate conditions.
Can I get to Times Square easily on Thanksgiving morning?
Subway operates normal Thursday schedules with trains running standard frequency. Key lines: N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7 all serve Times Square. Expect crowded trains 6:00-9:00 AM as parade-goers travel to viewing locations. Some Times Square subway entrances close during parade for crowd control. Walking often faster than transit if within one mile. Taxis and rideshares face significant challenges from street closures. Plan to arrive early before peak transportation crowding.
What else is there to do in Times Square on Thanksgiving besides the parade?
Post-parade activities (11:00 AM onward) include: Explore Times Square without extreme crowds, photograph billboards and holiday decorations, access restaurants for late breakfast or Thanksgiving lunch, visit retail stores opening Thanksgiving afternoon for early Black Friday sales. Pre-parade Wednesday evening: Watch balloon inflation near American Museum of Natural History (12:00-6:00 PM). Thanksgiving atmosphere: Times Square maintains holiday festival energy throughout day with street performers, holiday displays, and photogenic settings for content creation.
When Thanksgiving Launches The Holiday Season
Thanksgiving weekend marks NYC’s official holiday season launch, with Times Square at the center of the transformation.
The Holiday Season Begins
Thanksgiving Day represents the pivot point when New York shifts from autumn to winter holiday mode. By Thanksgiving morning, holiday decorations are fully installed throughout Times Square. LED billboards begin cycling through Christmas and New Year’s content. The retail landscape transitions completely from fall merchandise to holiday displays.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting happens shortly after Thanksgiving (typically week following), creating multi-week holiday celebration period. Store windows debut elaborate holiday displays. Ice skating rinks open at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. The entire city enters different operational mode focused on holiday season through New Year’s.
December in Times Square: The Peak Season
Times Square visitor numbers increase significantly December: Daily traffic reaches 400,000+ visitors (compared to 330,000 annual average). The combination of holiday shoppers, Christmas tourists, and New Year’s Eve planners creates sustained peak-season atmosphere.
Holiday shopping destinations: Times Square retail attracts gift shoppers throughout December. Major stores extend hours, offer holiday promotions, create festive shopping environments.
Festive atmosphere intensifies: Holiday music plays in pedestrian zones, seasonal entertainment performances increase, digital displays coordinate holiday messaging, creating immersive holiday environment impossible to replicate other times of year.
Times Square as Setting for Holiday Milestones
Thanksgiving engagement proposals leverage holiday atmosphere combined with globally recognizable location. The iconic billboards provide backdrop that needs no explanation when sharing proposal photos.
Multi-generational families establish annual Thanksgiving Times Square traditions, returning each year to recreate photos in same location tracking family growth over time.
Visitor documentation: Thanksgiving Times Square photos become social media content, family albums, and visual memories associated with specific life moments. The location’s instant recognizability makes images meaningful beyond just family context.
Creating Personal Times Square Moments
Times Square’s massive LED displays don’t just broadcast commercial advertising. They display personal messages, birthday celebrations, proposals, announcements. This visibility accessibility differentiates Times Square from other tourist locations.
Some visitors discover they can display their own content on actual Times Square billboards. Personal displays start at $150 for 24-hour campaigns with content appearing 15 seconds per hour. This transforms passive tourism into active participation in Times Square’s visual landscape.
The combination of iconic location and accessible visibility creates opportunities for making personal moments publicly recognizable in ways other tourist destinations cannot replicate.
Planning Return Visits Throughout Holiday Season
Winter holiday season offers different Times Square experience than Thanksgiving: deeper cold, snow possibility, Christmas/New Year’s decorations, different crowd composition.
New Year’s Eve represents Times Square’s most famous celebration, requiring entirely separate planning approach and strategy (research year in advance, extreme crowds, extensive restrictions).
Year-round appeal: Each season brings different energy to Times Square. Summer tourism, fall atmosphere, winter holidays, spring renewal. Visiting multiple times reveals location’s changing character throughout calendar year.
Times Square serves as backdrop for special occasions year-round: birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, graduations, celebrations all find home in this globally recognized setting where personal moments gain broader visibility and meaning.
Making Your Thanksgiving Moment Visible
Times Square has always been about visibility.
Those massive screens, the billboards, the constant digital display. They create a backdrop that’s instantly recognizable anywhere in the world. When you take a photo in Times Square, people know exactly where you are.
That visibility extends beyond just being present in the location.
The screens themselves display personal content. Birthday messages. Celebrations. Announcements. People use Times Square’s digital infrastructure to mark their moments in a place that millions recognize.
You can display your own photo or message on an actual Times Square billboard. Personal displays start at $150 for 24 hours, with your content appearing for 15 seconds every hour. Business advertising runs from $250 per day.
It’s a different way to participate in the Times Square experience. Instead of just standing in front of the screens, you become part of what they display. Your Thanksgiving moment appears on the same billboards that broadcast to millions of parade-goers.
Some visitors plan this ahead, coordinating their billboard display with their parade visit. Others discover the option while they’re there and book for future trips. Either way, it adds a layer to the experience that goes beyond typical tourism.
Times Square has always been about making moments visible. The parade does this through scale and tradition. The billboards do it through technology and accessibility.
You choose how you want to participate in that visibility.
What You Take Home Beyond Photos
Thanksgiving in Times Square gives you stories that sound better than they photograph.
You’ll talk about the cold. The crowds. The moment a massive balloon passed directly overhead and you realized how truly huge these things are. The stranger next to you who shared their coffee. The kid on their parent’s shoulders, pointing at every float.
These details matter more than the perfectly framed photo.
The parade itself is spectacular, but it’s also repetitive. Balloon, float, marching band, balloon, float, marching band. What makes it memorable is everything around the parade. The context. The shared experience with three million other people who decided this mattered enough to wake up at 5am and stand in the cold.
Times Square amplifies that context. The location adds layers of meaning because of what it represents. Visibility. Recognition. Being seen in a place the whole world knows.
When you tell people about your Thanksgiving in New York, you’ll mention Times Square specifically. Not just “we saw the parade,” but “we saw the parade in Times Square.” The location becomes part of the story.
That’s what makes it worth the planning, the early morning, the crowds, the premium prices. You’re not just watching a parade. You’re participating in a tradition at one of the world’s most recognizable locations.
And if you want to make that participation visible in a different way, Times Square gives you options for that too.
Ready to make your NYC moment unforgettable? Display your photo or message on a real Times Square billboard. Your content appears for 15 seconds every hour for 24 hours, starting at just $150. Business advertising also available from $250 per day. Make your mark in the heart of New York City at timessquarebillboard.com.