This is the only way you can get Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade grandstand tickets

This year marks the 90th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and, because it's such a huge year for the parade, we should clear some things up.

While anyone can stand by the sidelines or watch the parade on TV — it's televised on NBC at 9 AM Thanksgiving day — there are only a select few who qualify for grandstand tickets. And unfortunately, they're not for sale.

Grandstand tickets are only available for the family and friends of parade participants and employees/volunteers who work for Macy's. 

For those wishing to get up close to the parade anyway, it begins at 77th Street and Central Park West, makes its way south past Columbus Circle, heads to Sixth Avenue, and ends by the Macy's department store on 34th Street and Seventh Avenue. It's important to note, however, that by 38th Street and at Herald Square, where the event is televised, the public is not allowed access. Still, there are plenty of places to view the parade — if you get there early enough — across the street from Central Park and Columbus Circle.

Information on past parades, this year's balloons (there's a Pikachu and Pillsbury Doughboy) and performers (including Regina Spektor and Tony Bennett) can be found on the Macy's website.

Best of luck!