Knicks Parade: Route, Street Closures, Subway Changes And Security Rules

NEW YORK CITY — Fans planning to attend Thursday's New York Knicks championship parade should prepare for major street closures, transit changes and security screenings as Lower Manhattan gears up for what is expected to be one of the city's largest celebrations in years.

The ticker-tape parade will begin near Bowling Green and travel north along Broadway to City Hall, where a separate ticketed championship ceremony will take place.

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Viewing along the parade route is free and open to the public, though city officials are urging spectators to arrive early as large crowds are expected.

Street Closures, Traffic Restrictions

Parking will be prohibited south of Canal Street beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Vehicles left in restricted areas will be towed.

Starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, all streets south of Canal Street between the Hudson and East rivers will be closed to vehicle traffic.

The FDR Drive and West Side Highway will remain open. Drivers exiting the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan will only be permitted to travel northbound on the FDR Drive.

Pedestrian access will remain available throughout the area.

To help accommodate parade-goers, Staten Island Ferry service will run every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Security Screening And Prohibited Items

All parade attendees will be subject to security screening. Viewing pens will open at 6 a.m.

Bags will not be allowed. Other prohibited items include:

• Glass and metal water bottles (plastic bottles are permitted)
• Bats and batons
• Bicycles and scooters
• Chairs
• Coolers
• Drones
• Backpacks
• Pets
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Weapons

Residents and office workers within the parade zone will be allowed access with proper identification.

Subway Service Changes

Several subway stations will close beginning at 4:30 a.m. Thursday and reopen after the parade and City Hall ceremony conclude.

Closed stations include:

• Wall Street (4, 5)
• City Hall (R, W)

Nearby stations that will remain open include:

• Bowling Green (4, 5)
• Fulton Street (2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z)
• Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall (4, 5, 6)
• Chambers Street (J, Z)
• Park Place (2, 3)

City Hall Ceremony

The championship ceremony at City Hall Plaza will be limited to ticket holders.

Like the parade, attendees must pass through security screening and will be subject to the same list of prohibited items.

The city is giving away 600 free tickets through a public lottery that closes at 11 a.m. Wednesday. A total of 300 winners will be selected, with each receiving two tickets.

Additional information about accessibility accommodations and ADA viewing areas is expected to be released before the parade.