Update August 18: This trip is now closed but available to list on our waitlist only. Please continue to the reservation process to waitlist. You may still add excursions and Broadway to your trip as below. Thank you!

PS we have been clearing all waitlist reservations to-date so please, register!

Update August 5: NYC Excursions and Broadway options have been added. Read about them HERE, and book them as an option to your package! MACY's WEEK EXCURSION & BROADWAY LINK

Here is how to add a Broadway Show or Excursion to your existing reservation: How to add and option

Update June 28: With the support of the band, PAC is moving our Thanksgiving dinner to another wonderful (and larger) location to support more WVU Friends and Family. Dinner is now at the Waterside Restaurant and ala carte tickets for dinner & transport are available as an option to your original packages where we were sold out. All new packages purchased after June 27 will now include dinner again!

Update March 3: We are excited as to the overwhelming response to come see and support the band in NYC. Our Thanksgiving Dinner option w/the band has sold out but there's still plenty to come cheer about in NYC. Revised packages are close to a sell-out as well. Please reserve your place ASAP!

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Congratulations to the Mountaineer Band! We are PAC (Performing Arts Consultants). We're taking both the Mountaineer Band, and the Mountaineer Alumni Band to the Macy's Parade and hope YOU will choose to travel with us too!

Traveling with PAC accesses you to events with the Band that you cannot secure elsewhere including their Manhattan Dinner Cruise and Thanksgiving Dinner. Please take a look!

The most popular holiday parade in America, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, has been a Big Apple tradition since 1924. Attracting more than 3.5 million people  to the streets of New York City each year and 50 million TV viewers nationwide, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become so synonymous with Thanksgiving tradition in NYC that it's often shortened to "The Macy's Day Parade."  

Your West Virginia University Marching Band  is going, and so can you, to cheer them on as parents, friends, family, and alumni! We are Performing Arts Consultants and we're taking the band to the parade, their Alumni Band, and hoe to take YOU along for the fun as well! 

Share in the traditions of this world-class event with the band through their tour partner, Performing Arts Consultants. PAC has taken top-notch bands to this amazing parade for over forty years and now, we're preparing already to take your Mountaineers!

Four-day, three-night Packages to NYC and the Parade, staying in the heart of the city at the beautiful Four Points Sheraton Midtown Times Square from Tuesday, November 26 through Friday, November 29, 2024, are available through the band's travel company, PAC, to cheer on the Band.

Additional nights before and after the core trip also available to extend your Holiday stay in the city, if you would like.

ALSO, WE WILL BE ADDING ADDITIONAL BROADWAY SHOWS AND NYC ATTRACTIONS for your additional consideration early in 2024 so an extra day in the city MIGHT just be order for you! We'll let you know when these are ready for reservation!

All pricing shown is "per person," so if you're reserving for two people, select two travelers and list each of your names. List three names for a triple room, four for a quad, etc. Five or more travelers will require two rooms (email for assistance  with that). Yes, you can arrange roommates who pay separately (see below).
 

Additional room nights before and after our trip dates are also available if you'd like to see more of New York City during your stay. We recommend adding at least Friday night to your package, if your schedule allows, to be able to enjoy more of what this city has to offer after the big parade day!

Please see "add-ons" for these nights at time of booking! If you need more nights than we're offering, let us know, as we'll likely have them! Pricing on additional room nights is per room, not per person, for up to four people in the room.

Questions? Email at Lee@usafest.org. Please give me a day or two to respond but, I most certainly will!

Join the band in New York City for the most fabulous of parades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024! 

Right in the "Heart" of the action! 

With a stay at The  Four Points by Sheraton  Midtown Times Square, you'll,you'll be centrally located in New York City. Walkable to Broadway theaters and Times Square, close to subway access, this popular 4-star hotel is close to the "action" of NYC!

Surrounded by celebrated New York attractions, Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Midtown Times Square offers contemporary comfort amid the best of the city. Escape the vibrant city streets in thoughtfully appointed hotel accommodations with modern essentials, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, premium cable programming, and scenic views of Manhattan. Explore an incredible collection of legendary attractions, including High Line Park, Times Square, and Javits Convention Center.

When the sun sets, discover electric nightlife within steps of our hotel, or stay in and chat with friends at our stylish Hudson Bar Room. Located in the beating heart of Hudson Yards, this stylish hotel surrounds you with arts and culture, innovative architecture, and imaginative new parks. Join us at Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Midtown West and discover quiet comfort in one of the world's most dazzling travel destinations. Recipient of the AAA Inspector's Best of Housekeeping Award 2020.

Additional nights before and after these dates may also booked here (see add-on section after you select your package). If you need additional dates or date combinations, please email Lee Lafleur at lee@usafest.org. 

As we have limited space both on the band's Dinner Cruise and at Thanksgiving Dinner (seventy persons for Thanksgiving Dinner and 150 persons for the Dinner Cruise with the Band (still readily available!).

Once we hit capacity, the trip will close BUT, we'll reopen and reprice the trip without these inclusions so you can STILL come to NYC, stay in the hotel, enjoy the Radio City Christmas Spectacular (with the band), and see the parade). Please "waitlist" if the trip is temporarily closed).

UPDATE JUNE 28: Thanksgiving Dinner tickets are again available!

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 150 REGISTRATIONS!

Join the Band on Wednesday night on board the Spirit of New York for a wonderful 3-hour dinner cruise followed by a DJ dance as you cruise around the Island of Manhattan. 

Your cruise will cruise the Hudson and East Rivers, past the skyscrapers of Manhattan including the Empire State Building. You'll also see the Intrepid Sea-Air Space museum, the Brooklyn Bridge, the site of the World Trade Center, Battery Park City, South Street Seaport, and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge - the second-longest single-span suspension bridge in the world, 

Governor's Island, Ellis Island, and Colgate Clock.  Of course, the highlight of your cruise is the Statue of Liberty, one of the most celebrated landmarks in the world.

Dine with the band and enjoy the sites of the City with this classic NYC experience!

LIMITED TO THE FIRST 150 REGISTRATIONS AS SPACE IS LIMITED!

Join the band on Wednesday afternoon at Radio City Music Hall (2 p.m) for the "Christmas Spectacular" featuring the world famous Rockettes and of course, Santa Claus. Your ticket is included! 

You never forget the memories you make at the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. From the moment you walk into Radio City Music Hall to the very last dazzling dance number, experience the magic that only Rockettes can create. Bring your family for a one-of-a-kind tradition, where wooden soldiers dance, ice skaters glide, snowflakes swirl—and the unmistakable spirit of Christmas in New York City comes alive. Enjoy this Friday performance, with the band.

As added bonus, your West Virginia University band front will be perfoming on stage just before the show. What a treat!

Radio City Music Hall is located just a short walk from your hotel! 

As we get closer to the BIG PARADE, PAC will add optional Broadway shows and NYC Tours for you to choose from for your time in New York City. Consider staying as extra night or two to enjoy more of what this amazingCcity has to offer!

At our discounted group pricing, these are cheaper than you can typically find on your own. Stay tuned for updates. We'll write you once these are available, closer to the parade date.

When you see a great flight price to La Guardia, Kennedy, or Newark, grab it! If you need assistance securing airfare, seek out the airline directly to book the “best deal.” We recommend sites like kayak.com or expedia.com, etc., to find the best fare! Airfare is not included in our packages. 

**NOTE that MOST AIRFARES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE UNTIL 330 days out (February 2024).

As you’ll be booking your own airfare, you'll also want to look at arranging your airport transportation as well. There are a variety of options from shuttle buses, to Uber/Taxi, to city bus/subway combinations available to get you to Manhattan and the Sheraton. It's not difficult at all to get to the heart of Manhattan, and not too expensive either by Air Train, subway, or bus. 

For example, the Uber fare from LaGuardia to the Sheraton is approximately $46 ($23 each if two of you, $15 each if three, etc.). Air Train, subway, bus combinations are as little as $12 pp and easy to maneuver. Use these numbers in budgeting your expense and Google your route for New York area airport transportation specifics. 

PAC will publish our recommendations for transit and directions from all airports closer to the event. 

Driving? We'll help you find parking at the hotel, as necessary.

We’re staying just blocks off the parade route in the heart of Manhattan and suggest you, your friends and family get an early start to find the best viewing for the parade. We'll send you parade viewing guides as we get closer to the parade date!

Bleacher seats to this parade are not available to the general public and are closely managed by Macy's (and not for sale).

This guide is a year old, but is one of the best we've seen with tips for watching the parade. This information is still valid! https://luxeadventuretraveler.com/tips-for-viewing-the-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade/ 

We’ve seen a few commercial vendors selling everything from simple reserved parade viewing to gourmet all you can eat and drink packages at $500 or more. Most/all grandstand seats are NOT FOR SALE and most parade viewing, unless you're well-connected, is from the street. There will be plenty of opportunities to line up, and see the parade! 

UPDATE JUNE 28:  With the support of the band, PAC is moving our Thanksgiving dinner to another wonderful (and larger) location to support more WVU Friends and Family. Dinner is now at the Waterside Restaurant and ala carte tickets for dinner & transport are available as an option to your original packages where we were sold out. All new packages purchased after June 27 will now include dinner again! 

UPDATE Monday, January 15: We are pleased (and sorry) that our initial offering has sold out (limited space for Thanksgiving Dinner). PLEASE register for our waitlist and, in a day or two, we'll update our package and offerings for you. We're excited to be able to take you to see the band in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Please Note: We are limited to Seventy family and friends reservations (70) for Thanksgiving Dinner with the Band. First come, first served!

The Chart House Restaurant located on the Hudson River directly across from Manhattan is yours for Thanksgiving dinner with the band, transportation included, and offers breathtaking views of the spectacular New York City Skyline.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This upscale cosmopolitan, full-service restaurant is one of the most sought-after locations in New Jersey and the Mountaineer Band has it reserved for up to 600 performers, friends, and family on Thanksgiving night!

The menu? )to be updated and posted here)!

Your trip of a lifetime to New York City and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade includes:

* Three nights’ accommodation at the Four Points Sheraton Midtown Times Square in the heart of Manhattan (additional nights are currently available).

* A ticket to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show with the Band (Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.).

* Dinner Cruise on board the Spirit Of New York Wednesday night with the Band. Cruise is limited to the first eighty registrations (150)!

* Thanksgiving Dinner with the Band at the Waterside Restaurant on Thursday, including transportation from the hotel. For packages purchased between Jan 15 & June 27, dinner and bus transport to dinner had been removed from the package and pricing as we were sold out. With the venue change, dinner is again included in packages purchased beginning June 27 and is available as an alacarte option if it was not in your package earlier.

Your trip does not include (book/reserve on your own): 

* Airfare (available about 11 months out).

* Airport Transportation.

* Meals, unless noted above.

* Thanksgiving Dinner w/the Band if purchased between Jan 15 and June 27 (now available allocate)

* Additional/Optional Broadway shows, tours, and excursions (available here (this website)) Summer 2024 at PAC's group rates).

* Optional travel insurance.

* Reserved parade seating.

If you are paying for your family member or roommate under your account, there is no need to do anything special at registration. 

If your roommate is paying separately under their own account, be sure to add their name and email address when asked at checkout (important) so that we can match you up with them on the hotel rooming list. 

As example, if you have two roommates staying with you in a triple room, you will pay for one traveler in a triple room (not three), and list both of your roommate names and email addresses at registration. If by chance they decide not to come however, you will be charged for a double or single room as appropriate. 

 CANCELLATION POLICY

A $100 per person cancellation fee is applied to all reservations cancelled after March 1, 2024. Your reservation is fully refundable until then for any reason. 

In consideration of non-refundable payments made by Performing Arts Consultants to tour operators, land operators, airlines and other agents associated with travel and/or festival arrangements, accommodations and/or services, the following will apply: 

Cancellation for any reason PAC will refund all monies paid minus $100 per person through February 1, 2024. 

• 60-46 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE – an additional $50 per person cancellation fee PLUS any cancellation charges and non-refundable payments levied by the various vendors mentioned above (TBD). 
• 45-31 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE – an additional $100 per person cancellation fee PLUS any cancellation charges and non-refundable payments levied by the various vendors mentioned above (TBD). 
• 30 DAYS OR LESS DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE – Absolutely NO refunds can be granted. 

Trip Insurance MAY assist you with coverage for cancellation. 

PAYMENT POLICY 

Upon receipt of your invoice, please mark the payment dates on your calendar to maintain a punctual payment schedule. WeTravel will send notices as a reminder. Payments are timed for when PAC needs to pay vendors for your fabulous trip!  

Late payments for any reason are subject to a $25 late payment fee. 

Checks may be entered online (with no fee), in addition to most credit cards (plus the 4% fee the credit card processor charges us) at WeTravel.com 

Click Here For Our Full Terms and Conditions 

As the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a truly special event, the above stated cancellation fees supersede those found elsewhere on our website. 

Whereas PAC is not an insurance company, you may purchase trip insurance for the value of your trip at third-party site if you would like. We often use Travel Insured, who can quote your insurance price and coverage online based on the value of your trip. Travel Insurance, if desired, can be secured directly through them, or your preferred vendor. 

Coverage and regulations have changed quite a bit in the Covid era, so please, read your coverage documents carefully! PAC does not see trip insurance directly for adult groups, such as this one.