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Thanksgiving Weekend 2022 in NYC: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and More Things To Do

NYBG Glow offers a beautiful after-dark experience in the expansive landscape. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYBG Glow offers a beautiful after-dark experience in the expansive landscape. Photo by Jody Mercier
11/22/22 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City on Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Thanksgiving weekend.

We're sending up a cheer of gratitude for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Macy's Santaland, which all serve as the gateway to the sparkly NYC holiday season. Catch a Christmas tree lighting in Park Slope or ride ice bumper cars at The Standard. Plus, Thanksgiving Day weekend brings the opening of two iconic ice skating rinks: South Street Seaport and the Brooklyn Children's Museum's ArtRink.

Nutcrackers are leaping across stages all around town, including the classic New York City Ballet version at Lincoln Center and Chiara Atkun's take at Ballet Arts Center. A Christmas Carol is haunting the Merchant's House Museum again. Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious are both on stage, and you can book tickets directly from our calendar. While you're there, be sure to book your FREE tickets to the upcoming Mommy Poppins' Holly Jolly Holiday Party, too. 

Our Family Activity Calendar and Guide to Christmas and the Holidays in NYC are positively lit with even more amazing holiday activities.

More Things To Do in New York City This Week With Kids

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Punky, nostalgic bumper cars are popping-up at The Standard Plaza. Photo courtesy of The Standard
Punky, nostalgic bumper cars are popping-up at The Standard Plaza. Photo courtesy of The Standard

Best Things To Do in NYC Thanksgiving Weekend

Opening Weekend: The Seaport Ice Rink

South Street Seaport–FREE
Opens Tuesday, November 22
The Seaport Ice Rink returns for a season of winter festivities and complimentary skating along the East River. This year skaters can take in the celestial sights of Aurora, an overheard light installation designed by Ithaca Studio.  READ MORE

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation

Upper West Side
Wednesday, November 23
The Macy's Balloon Inflation returns! Watching the giant balloons expand is a tradition for many NYC families—almost as important as the Thanksgiving Day Parade proper.  READ MORE

A Christmas Carol

Bowery
Opens Wednesday, November 23
Mr. Charles Dickens, portrayed by John Kevin Jones, tells his timeless Christmas tale in the elegant intact Greek Revival double parlor of the landmark 1832 Merchant’s House Museum. READ MORE

96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Midtown West
Thursday, November 24
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to once again march down the streets of New York City for its 96th annual holiday celebration. READ MORE

Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike: Prospect Park South to North

Prospect Park, Brooklyn–FREE
Friday, November 25
Set yourself a post-Thanksgiving challenge as a family, and hike the length of Prospect Park, South to North, with the Urban Park Rangers. READ MORE

Macy's Santaland

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 25
Santa swoops back over to Macy's for visits with his littlest fans! Wander the rainbow road to his workshop, where you'll meet jolly old St. Nick sitting behind his busy desk. Share your wishlist before receiving a special gift and posing for a keepsake photo. READ MORE

ArtRink Opening Weekend

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Opens Friday, November 25
Grab your winter coat and a warm pair of socks and glide onto the Brooklyn Children's Museum's large-scale rooftop winter installation! ArtRink is a 3,200-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink and art exhibition, which features a winter village with five houses each designed by a different artist. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Stella 34 Trattoria

Midtown West
Starts Friday, November 25
Bring Christmas to life for your family with a magical morning at Stella 34 Trattoria. Families meet and have breakfast with Santa Claus (and his elves) in the store that brought you "The Miracle on 34th Street." Adults can indulge in an early morning mimosa. READ MORE

George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 25
The New York City Ballet's annual confection returns, complete with the famous one-ton Christmas tree that grows from 12 to 40 feet, an onstage snowstorm, and hundreds of elaborate costumes, including one for Mother Ginger that measures nine feet wide and weighs 85 pounds! READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting in Park Slope

Park Slope, Brooklyn–FREE
Saturday, November 26
JJ Byrne Park lights up with holiday cheer as Park Slope's Small Business group hosts its annual tree lighting event, complete with Bubbledad, touch-a-truck, carol singing with the Park Slope Conservancy, wrapped treats, and—of course—Santa! READ MORE

An Afternoon of Chinese Theater

Flushing, Queens–FREE
Saturday, November 26
An Afternoon of Chinese Theater features Peking Opera, The Story of Song Jiang and Yan Poxi, as well as a special performance by Tong Xiao Ling Chinese Opera Ensemble: Peking Opera, Farewell My Concubine.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker

Midtown West
Opens Saturday, November 26
Chiara Ajkun's version of The Nutcracker, performed by Ajkun Ballet Theatre, is perfect for children and adults alike and includes a complimentary photo with the cast.  READ MORE

Pinkalicious the Musical

Midtown West
Saturday, November 26-Sunday, November 27
Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament. READ MORE

Peter Pantomime

Upper East Side
Sunday, November 27
Don't miss this charming and imaginative retelling of the beloved Peter Pan classic. Clap for the sweet but sassy Tinkerbell, hiss at the sly Captain Hook, and cheer for the playful, mischievous Peter Pan. READ MORE

Eldridge Arts & Learning: Stained Glass

Lower East Side
Sunday, November 27
At the Museum at Eldridge Street, the more than 60 stained glass windows capture natural light and bring the synagogue to life. Kids learn about the stained glass windows  and craft a colorful collage creation to take home. READ MORE

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

Midtown West
Select dates through Saturday, December 31
What could be fancier than Christmas? Nancy has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper, and she can't wait to decorate the Christmas tree. But when things don't turn out the way Nancy planned, will Christmas still be splendiferous? READ MORE

Bump! Bumper Cars

High Line, Greenwich Village
Ongoing through December 31
Punky, nostalgic bumper cars are popping-up at The Standard Plaza, celebrating the provocative power of collisions. READ MORE

Illuminate the Farm

Little Neck, Queens
Ongoing, through January 8, 2023
The NYC Winter Lantern Festival transforms the Queens County Farm Museum's grounds into an immersive river of light. Holiday lights and homemade lanterns take the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals, and more forming a dazzling seasonal display. READ MORE

Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Select dates through Sunday, January 9, 2023
Holiday Lights return to the Bronx Zoo, bigger, brighter, and greener than ever before. The beloved holiday tradition covers acres of the zoo, lighting the grounds with custom Asian lanterns, wildlife-themed LED displays, and animated light shows on the historic Astor Court. READ MORE

NYBG Glow

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Select dates through Saturday, January 14, 2023
Visitors can explore a glowing world of color and light at the New York Botanical Garden's outdoor light show. Washes of brilliant colors, thousands of dazzling, energy-efficient LED lights, and picture-perfect installations enliven the gardens and collections. READ MORE

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Through Sunday, January 23, 2023
Closed Thanksgiving Day
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show returns for its 32nd year! Model trains zip through a miniature wonderland of nearly 200 New York landmark replicas, each re-created from natural materials such as leaves, seeds, twigs, bark, acorns, and cinnamon sticks. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

South Street Seaport
David Koch Theater at Lincoln Theater
Ballet Arts Center for Dance
The New York Botanical Garden