Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Guide 2014

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A Paddington Bear balloon will join this year’s festivities. Photo courtesy of Macy’s.

This year, more than 8,000 participants will march down the West Side in the 88th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From where to watch to the scoop on new balloons and this year’s performers, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know for the parade.

The Night Before

Seeing the massive helium balloons get inflated on the eve of the parade is always a special experience. The afternoon and evening before the parade–Wednesday, November 26–you can see the balloons come to life between 77th Street and 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue. Enter at 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, and walk south toward 77th street along the perimeter of the American Museum of Natural History to see balloons like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hello Kitty, and Snoopy and Woodstock come to life. 3-10pm, 77th Street and 81st Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue

Note: There is no public viewing on the south side of 77th Street, or on the north side of 81st Street.

Where to Watch

If you decide to watch this year’s 2.5-mile procession  from the streets, you’d better plan to get up early. Though the parade doesn’t  kick off from 77th Street and Central Park West until 9am, eager spectators start camping out at 6am along the west side of Central Park West from 75th-59th Streets to see the procession go by from 9-10:30am. The parade then turns at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South, before moving on to Sixth Avenue.  If you’d rather watch from somewhere warm, the Shops at Columbus Circle  are open on Thanksgiving and provide views of the parade coming down Central Park West. Plus, you can take in the Holiday Under the Stars light display. If you’d like to catch a few more z’s, you can meet the parade as it moves down 6th Avenue, starting around 9:30am. Or, just tune into NBC starting at 9am from the comfort of your couch.

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The opening of the Parade. Photo courtesy of Macy’s.

Note: Because of the national television broadcast, there is no access on 6th Avenue from 34th street to 38th street; or on 34th street between Broadway and 7th Avenue. There is limited public access on the south side of 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue.

New Balloons on the Block

This year’s lineup features 16 giant character balloons along with 33 novelty character balloons, balloonicles (a hybrid of cold-air balloon and vehicle), balloonheads and trycaloons (a combination balloon and tandem tricycle, of course.) This year’s parade marks the largest debut of new giant character balloons, including Eruptor from Skylanders, Paddington Bear, Thomas the Tank Engine, and the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger.

Other Notable Guests & Performances

You’ll see performances from the Big Apple Circus, Cirque due Soleil, and the cast and muppets of Sesame Street, as well as the Pentatonix, Becky G., Nick Jonas, and Idina Menzel (the voice of “Frozen’s” Elsa). New floats include The Girl-Powered Spinning Machine from Glodie Blox and a Treasure Hunt by Pirate’s Booty.

Relevant Directory Listings

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Chickenshed NYC

<p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed’s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1.3em; margin-top: 0px; caret-color: #515151; color: #515151; font-family: nimbus-sans, sans-serif;">Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.</p>

The Music Institute of Long Island

<p dir="ltr">Established in 1990, the Music Institute of Long Island (MILI) is a classical music school staffed by exceptional instructors from many of the most prestigious conservatories and graduate music schools in the United States and Europe. Long Island’s foremost musical academies, its instrumental programs include violin, viola, cello, piano, flute, clarinet, saxophone and voice classes. MILI has been voted # 1 BEST MUSIC SCHOOL Consistently. </p> <p dir="ltr">They teach the Traditional, Suzuki, and ABRSM methods. Students participate in All-National, All-Eastern, All-State, youth orchestras, and score highly in NYSSMA and Royal Academy Music Festivals. First prize winners of competitions earn solos at Carnegie Hall and with orchestras. MILI offers Fall/Spring semesters plus Summer Sessions. Semesters include 15-17 weeks of private lessons, solo recitals with a final GALA Concert featuring chamber music.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>About the Directors: Carol & Geri Kushner:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The sisters are violinists, violists, chamber coaches & performers. They believe in instilling the love of music,  fostering proficiency, success, confidence & believe all MILI students achieve success.</p> <p dir="ltr">Degrees BM, MM (+), K-12 certifications, attended Manhattan School of Music, Queens College & Stonybrook University.They have been adjunct professors at Syracuse University, Aaron Copland School of Music Pre-College & Five Towns Colleges, Stonybrook University & have taught in L.I. public schools.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e9f5dcc8-7fff-2ad2-edea-98d61c367d72"></span></p>

PaleyLand Holiday Experience

<p>Celebrate the holidays at PaleyLand at the Paley Museum, New York's must-visit destination for a holiday adventure, just steps from Rockefeller Center!</p> <p>Our five-floor immersive holiday extravaganza, includes photos with Santa and holiday characters, crafts, giveaways, screenings of classic holiday favorites, hot chocolate, a magical train display, and more.</p> <p>Escape the cold and the crowds, and enjoy our indoor wonderland where families can play, relax, and create timeless memories together in our holiday oasis in the heart of midtown Manhattan.</p> <p>General Admission to PaleyLand is free for children under 12.</p> <p>The holiday extravaganza is open from November 20 – January 5 at the Paley Museum, 25 W 52 Street, NYC. Paley Members enjoy free access. Come to PaleyLand again and again to see all your favorite characters and screenings. After just one visit, membership pays for itself!</p> <p><span style="color: #888888;"> </span></p>