The busiest, brightest weeks of the year. Here are the dates that matter, and how to fit them into your days.
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade runs 8:30 AM to noon. It starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West, goes down Central Park West, along Central Park South, down Sixth Avenue and ends at Macy's Herald Square on 34th Street. Viewing along the route is free. Get there early: the best spots on Central Park West fill up well before it starts.
The tree is lit on December 2 and stays up through the holidays. The lighting night is very crowded; on most other evenings you can see it with far fewer people, especially late at night or early in the morning.
Free ice skating (bring skates or rent them), plus holiday shops open from October 28 to January 3, 2027. The rink stays open until February 28, 2027, usually 8 AM to 10 PM, and until midnight from November 19 to January 3. It's at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.
The ball drops at midnight. Viewing areas open in the afternoon and fill early, with no food stalls or bathrooms inside the pens. Many visitors pick a rooftop, a party or a quieter view instead.
Holiday weeks are full: parades, markets, shows, and long lines. GoToday sends you one short email each morning with 3 to 5 things worth doing that day, picked for what you like and the weather, with when to leave and what it costs. You can also get it in Telegram and ask questions any time.
Looking around first? See New York tonight, this weekend and free things to do today.
Dates from centralpark.com, Time Out New York and Bryant Park, checked October 26, 2026. Always check the official site before you go.
New: reply to any email with a question and get an answer in minutes, a heads-up email if the subway line or bus on your route has a live MTA delay before you leave (New York), a link to share each day's plan with the people you travel with, and your picks in your phone's calendar with a reminder when it's time to leave. Next on our list: