Thanksgiving 2026 in New York: subway schedule and the Macy's Parade
Quick answer: On Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26, 2026, the subway runs a Sunday schedule and the LIRR a weekend schedule. The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 8:30 a.m. Last year the closest stations to the start were 72 St (1, 2, 3), 79 St (1) and 59 St-Columbus Circle.
Thanksgiving weekend schedules
- Subway, Thursday November 26: Sunday schedule, with fewer trains than on a weekday.
- LIRR: weekend schedule on Thanksgiving. On Friday November 27 it runs regular weekday trains, and off-peak fares are accepted on all trains.
- Metro-North: a special schedule on Thanksgiving. On Friday November 27, a Saturday schedule plus extra trains.
- Bikes: no bikes on LIRR or Metro-North trains on Thanksgiving Eve or Thanksgiving Day (folding bikes are fine).
- Statue of Liberty ferries: no boats on Thanksgiving Day.
Source: MTA published subway and bus schedules (fall 2026); MTA: LIRR schedules; MTA: Metro-North schedules; MTA: bikes on the LIRR and Metro-North; National Park Service: Statue of Liberty ferry schedule.
The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The parade is on Thursday, November 26, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. Last year it started at 77th Street and Central Park West and ended at Macy's on Herald Square (34th Street). Macy's and the MTA haven't posted the 2026 route or subway plans yet, so check again the week before.
Source: Macy's: 100th parade announcement; MTA: Thanksgiving weekend service (2025).
Closest stations (last year)
- Near the start: 72 St (1 2 3), 79 St (1) and 59 St-Columbus Circle. 72 St on the 1, 2, 3 and 59 St-Columbus Circle are step-free.
- Near the end: 34 St-Herald Sq, which is step-free.
Last year, from 4 to 11 a.m., A and C trains skipped 81 St-Museum of Natural History and F trains skipped 57 St, and some entrances at 59 St-Columbus Circle and Penn Station were closed. The 2026 plans may be similar, so check the week before.
Source: MTA: Thanksgiving weekend service (2025); MTA station accessibility data (data.ny.gov).
Tips for parade morning
- Go early. Trains run on a Sunday schedule, so there are fewer of them, and they fill up.
- Use the same card or phone for every tap; with the weekly fare cap, a long holiday weekend of rides adds up to $35 at most.
- After the parade, walk a few blocks away from the route before you head for a station; the ones right on it are the most crowded.
Source: MTA: tap and ride.
Thanksgiving 2026 transit: common questions
Does the subway run on Thanksgiving 2026?
Yes. On Thursday November 26, 2026, the subway runs a Sunday schedule, with fewer trains than on a weekday.
What time does the 2026 Macy's Parade start?
8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026. It's the 100th parade.
What subway stop is closest to the Macy's Parade?
Last year the MTA named 72 St (1, 2, 3), 79 St (1) and 59 St-Columbus Circle as the closest stations to the start, and 34 St-Herald Sq is at the end. The 2026 plans aren't posted yet.
Is the LIRR running on Thanksgiving?
Yes, on a weekend schedule. On Friday November 27 it runs weekday trains, and off-peak fares are accepted on all trains.
Can I bring a bike on the LIRR on Thanksgiving?
Not a regular bike. Bikes aren't allowed on LIRR or Metro-North trains on Thanksgiving Eve or Day; folding bikes are fine.
Official sources
Cobblehop is independent and isn't affiliated with these agencies or operators. Check their pages for the latest schedules and service changes:
- Macy's: 100th parade announcement
- MTA: Thanksgiving weekend service (2025)
- MTA: published schedules (GTFS)
- MTA: LIRR schedules
- MTA: Metro-North schedules
- MTA: bikes on the LIRR and Metro-North
Published November 7, 2026. Schedules were checked against the MTA's published schedules and pages, and the parade date against Macy's announcement, in November 2026. Service changes, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.
Plan your trip in Cobblehop. Say where you're going and get one clear route, a leave-in countdown and a buzz before your stop.
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