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After one of the wildest New York weekends in recent memory, Knicks fanfare continues with one of the city’s signature ticker-tape parades. Following their return from San Antonio, Texas, where the team defeated the Spurs to win the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years, the New York Knicks will be heralded as local heroes in downtown Manhattan—complete with a key to the city.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. down at the Battery, on the Southern-tip of Manhattan, though interested parties should arrive far earlier. Viewing spots will open at 6 a.m.; security will be tight and it will be one of the biggest parades in decades. Spectators should be prepared to arrive by 7 a.m. at the latest for good viewing spots near the main Wall Street intersections (accessible via the 2 and 3 subway lines) or around Bowling Green (the 4 and 5 lines). Unlike the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which stretches for more than two miles between the Upper West Side and West 34th Street, the parade route will be less than a mile, as the crowds and players move up to City Hall.
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Fans of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team at a ticker-tape parade following their win at the Women’s World Cup in 2019.
The parade will proceed up the ceremonial Canyon of Heroes to City Hall, which is generally a 20 or so minute walk (expect this to take quite a bit longer). Along the way, government buildings will be illuminated in blue and orange. Onlookers will not be able to view the very end of the parade, where the athletes and other VIPs will step off the floats and into City Hall. The team members will then file on to either the steps of City Hall to receive their keys to the city.
“For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a statement. “Through near misses, heartbreak, and a hope that every year could be our year, this city never stopped believing in the Knicks. And this team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart — just like the five boroughs itself.” The mayor’s office is sharing further details about watching and taking part in the parade through their website at nyc.gov/knicks.
Those hoping to attend should remember to wear comfortable shoes and bring as little as possible (no bags, alcohol, or chairs), and dress for the weather. Thursday is set to be the warmest day of the week, with highs near 86 degrees, sun in the morning and a chance of rain in the afternoon, so an umbrella may come in handy.
For those stuck in the office, at home, or simply uninterested in dealing with the crowds (particularly after Saturday night) there are other ways to get in on the action. Both ABC7 and NBC4 will be airing the parade, as will the Mayor’s office, through NYC.gov and their social media accounts.
Dorothy Scarborough (she/her) is the assistant to the Editor in Chief of Town & Country and Elle Decor.