By Gus Saltonstall

Before the iconic balloons and floats move through Central Park West for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday, they will come to life on the Upper West Side on Wednesday.

Crowd favorites like Snoopy, Ronald McDonald, Smokey the Bear and the Pillsbury Doughboy will all be blown up the day before the parade.

There are also 13 new balloons and floats in the 2024 parade: Minnie Mouse, Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby, Goku, Paw Patrol, Spider-Man, Candy Cosmos, Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest, Magic Meets the Seas, Pasta Knight , SpongeBob SquarePants Garriage, Wednesday Feat and the wonderful world of wildlife.

Here’s what you need to know about the inflation event, which is free and open to the public. You don’t need a ticket.

Time

• Wednesday, November 27 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Location

The inflation event will take place outside the American Museum of Natural History, from West 77th to 81st Street, between Columbus and Central Park West.

A construction project is underway to install an elevator at 81st Street and Central Park West B and C stations, but the MTA has removed the stage equipment from the corner in recent days. The materials are expected to return after the Thanksgiving parade.

Entrance and exit

All guests for the inflation event must enter through a secure checkpoint at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. As soon as you enter, there will be volunteers along the route to point you in the right direction.

The line for the entrance to the checkpoint opens on Wednesday at 12 noon.

After viewing the balloons, people can disembark along any block from West 82nd to 86th Street.

Other information

There are several items prohibited from the inflation event viewing area, including umbrellas, backpacks, large bags, chairs, alcohol, drones and e-cigarettes.

The closest subway station to the entrance is the B and C stops at 72nd Street and Central Park West.

Here are the local Wednesday and Thursday street closures you need to know about – HERE.

Finally, an illustration showing the path of inflation events.

More information about the inflation event can be found HERE.

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