THE BIG ONES

Big NYC events

The biggest free events in the NYC area, soonest first — the TCS NYC Marathon, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving parades, New Year’s Eve and holiday lights — with ticketed events listed after. Every listing links to its official site and shows when we checked it.

Starts in 1w 2d
WED, NOV 11 · HOURS TBC
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Fifth Avenue, NYC · official listing on uwvc.org · checked Oct 31
Family & kids

NYC Veterans Day Parade

📍 Fifth Avenue · Manhattan, NYC
Free to watch
Starts in 3w 3d
THU, NOV 26 · 8:30 AM–12 PM
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · kid-friendly · at Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square, Manhattan · official listing on macysinc.com · checked Oct 26
Family & kids

100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

📍 Central Park West to Macy's Herald Square · Upper West Side to Herald Square, Manhattan
Free to watch from public viewing areas
Starts in 8w 3d
THU, DEC 31 · 6 PM–12:30 AM (NEXT DAY)
✓ Verified Oct 31, 2026
Why this place: Free · at Times Square, Manhattan · official listing on timessquarealliance.org · checked Oct 31
Music & nightlife

Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop

📍 Times Square · Midtown, Manhattan
Free
Starts in 5w 5d
SAT, DEC 12 · HOURS TBC
✓ Verified Oct 26, 2026
Why this place: Free · seasonal special · at Venues across Manhattan (posted the week before), Manhattan · official listing on santacon.nyc · checked Oct 26
Music & nightlife

SantaCon NYC

📍 Venues across Manhattan (posted the week before) · Manhattan
Some venues need an organizer pass; see official site