Thanksgiving 2025 is right around the corner, and one of New York City’s most exciting traditions is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation Celebration.
The event gives fans a close look at their favourite giant character balloons as they come to life.
When and where does balloon inflation happen?
The Balloon Inflation Celebration will take place on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from around 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with lines typically opening at noon.
The event is held on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, surrounding the American Museum of Natural History, where the balloons are laid out and inflated along West 77th to West 81st Streets between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue.
Visitors enter through a security checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue and follow a one-way walking loop through the viewing area.
Visitors can walk past some of the parade’s biggest stars such as Snoopy, Bluey, Pikachu, Pac-Man, and more while crews inflate and secure them for the big day. Expect large crowds, especially later in the afternoon and evening, as excitement builds.
How to attend?
Attending the Balloon Inflation Celebration is completely free, and the walking loop typically takes about 45 minutes once you are inside.
The easiest way to get there is by taking the subway, with the 72nd Street station on the B and C lines being the closest stop.
Visitors should also be aware of road closures in the area, particularly around West 77th and West 81st Streets and nearby avenues.
How to watch?
There is no official livestream for the balloon inflation event, though local New York stations and national networks often provide short live segments from the site on Wednesday evening.
To see the balloons fully inflated and soaring through the city, the main parade broadcast is the best option. The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air live on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on November 27, with a multi-view streaming feature available on Peacock and an encore telecast at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
Spanish-language coverage will be offered on Telemundo, along with audio descriptions via SAP for visually impaired viewers. The parade can also be watched live through streaming services such as Hulu + Live TV and FuboTV.