Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Inflating

See the balloons being inflated the day before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Date: Wednesday November 25, 2026
Time: To be announced by Macy's (1:00 PM to 6:00 PM in 2025)
Location: Enter at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue

The Macy's Balloon Inflation Celebration has been held on Thanksgiving Eve since 1994. For some people, meeting up and watching the balloons being inflated for the Thanksgiving Day Parade is more of an annual event than the parade itself!

Crews lay each balloon flat on the closed streets beside the American Museum of Natural History and fill it with helium, a process that takes about 90 minutes per balloon. Every giant balloon, novelty balloon, and balloonicle in Thursday's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is prepped here, and the tallest reach about five stories.

Inflation viewing historically ran late into the night. In 2025 it ran from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with the line opening at noon.

Balloons Confirmed for 2026

The 100th parade's confirmed inflatables include Disney's Sorcerer's Apprentice Mickey, Joe Cool and Woodstock, Underdog, Felix the Cat, and the Blue Hippopotamus. Underdog is flying for the first time since 1984, and the Blue Hippopotamus was last seen after the 1931 parade. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade page lists the full lineup as it grows.

Entry & Exit Locations

Spectators are advised to enter through the secure checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. The viewing area runs from West 77th to West 81st Street between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West, circling the American Museum of Natural History. Exit points have varied by year. In 2025 the exit was at West 81st Street and Central Park West, with float assembly visible between West 81st and West 86th Streets.

Prohibited Items

Bags or backpacks larger than 12x6x12, lawn chairs, large coolers, alcoholic beverages, chairs, weapons, drones, pets, and umbrellas are expressly prohibited, and participants will be screened prior to entering the viewing route.

Getting There

Public transit is strongly recommended due to heavy traffic and street closures.

The closest subway station to the entrance point is the B and C stop at 72nd Street and Central Park West.

Tips

Strollers, while not prohibited, are difficult to push through the galleries. Try baby carriers or wait until children are older and can handle long periods of standing.

It is recommended to bring snacks or eat beforehand, as the loop takes at least 45 minutes to complete.

In 2025 the checkpoint line opened at noon, an hour before viewing began.