The big one for little kids is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (Thu 8:30am). In all we found three Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around New York City: one parade and two Black Friday weekend picks, and two are free. Each listing has the time, price and a link to the official page.
Thursday to Sunday
Everything below, laid out by day. Tap any outing to jump to its details.
Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 23–25
Many schools are off all week. The full Monday-to-Wednesday list goes up with the weekly update on Monday, Nov. 23; what’s already posted is below.
It comes from the same weekly check as the NYC this-week page.
Thursday morning
Start time, route and what to know with a stroller, from the organizer’s page.
Central Park West to Herald Square · West 77th Street and Central Park West, New York, NY
With littles: The 100th parade starts at 77th Street and Central Park West and ends at Herald Square. Grandstand seats aren’t sold to the public.
Run it off
Kids’ races, family walks and stroller rules, from each race’s own page. Kids’ turkey trots in other cities.
Race pages usually open registration in the fall. We check them every Thursday.
Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday
Holiday hours from each place’s own hours page. “Not posted” means the page doesn’t list Friday hours yet. Worth a quick check that morning.
Museums, zoos and play places post holiday hours in November. We add them as soon as they do.
Friday, Nov. 27
Tree lightings, parades, light-display openings and Santa arrivals on Black Friday.
Macy’s Herald Square, 8th floor · 151 W. 34th St., New York, NY 10001
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. A new Santaland this year, with a North Star Express ride to the North Pole before you meet Santa. Free reservations open Nov 20; waits after check-in run 30 to 90 minutes. Dec 2 and Dec 9 are sensory-friendly days.
Stella 34 Trattoria, Macy’s Herald Square (6th floor) · Macy’s Herald Square, enter at 35th Street & Broadway, New York, NY
With littles: Santa visits opening this weekend. Family-style breakfast looking out at the Empire State Building, carolers, a visit with Santa and elves, and a family photo with Santa. Reservations can’t be refunded, so arrive on time.
Saturday and Sunday
Parades, lightings, light displays and other easy outings Saturday and Sunday.
Tree lightings and holiday openings often post closer to the holiday. We recheck every Thursday.
Keep planning
November: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in NYCEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in NYCFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in NYCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Ice skating in NYCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Noon Year’s Eve in NYCKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in NYCParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in NYCPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in NYCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in NYCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas break in NYCWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in NYCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday
Good questions
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 8:30am, West 77th Street and Central Park West, New York, NY. Times come from each organizer’s own page.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square and Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria. Times and prices are on each card.
Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square and Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria. Dates and times are on each card.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in NYC.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 28, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in NYC that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
