Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Welcomes 99th Celebration
Thanksgiving is here, and what better way to kick it off than with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? This year marks the 99th event, showcasing a vibrant array of 34 balloons, four mini-balloons, 28 floats, 33 clown groups, and 11 marching bands, all parading through New York City.
For the first time, the parade will feature performances from a variety of artists, including a special kickoff by Cynthia Erivo, who stars in “Wicked.”
This joyful occasion is expected to draw over 3.5 million spectators on-site, with more than 50 million viewers watching from home. It’s all thanks to countless volunteers making the parade run smoothly.
Parade Timing
The festivities commence at 8:30 a.m. and last until noon across all time zones, with a re-airing scheduled for 2 p.m. ET/PT.
How to Watch
The parade will officially air on NBC and its streaming service, Peacock, with fan-favorite hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker returning. If you don’t have access to Peacock or cable, options like DIRECTV offer a 5-day free trial that includes NBC. Sling TV is another possibility, featuring NBC in its Select plan starting at $19.99 per month.
For viewers with visual impairments, NBC will also provide broadcasts with live audio descriptions.
In addition, Telemundo will host a Spanish-language simulcast featuring Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow. Macy’s will be active on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes moments on platforms like Instagram and TikTok with the hashtags @macys and #MacysParade.
Parade Route
The 4.5-mile route kicks off at 77th Street and Eighth Avenue, continuing down West 59th Street to Sixth Avenue until reaching Macy’s famous Herald Square. The performers will stop here for the televised production.
Some areas, like Central Park West between West 59th and 60th Streets, will have restricted access. For a detailed map, visit the Macy’s website.
Weather Forecast
Tomorrow’s weather looks drier than in previous days, but attendees should bundle up. Expect clear skies with temperatures hovering in the low 40s, though wind chills could make it feel even colder due to strong winds reaching up to 30 mph, according to meteorologist Matt Shapiro.
Special Guests and Performers
Yes, you can expect a star-studded lineup! Alongside Erivo, performances will feature artists like Conan Gray, Laney Wilson, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. Broadway will also be represented with casts from shows such as “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Ragtime.” The Rockettes will celebrate their 100th anniversary in style.
Additional appearances will include personalities like Sean Evans, Tykah Peck, and figure skater Ilia Marin.
New Floats and Balloons
This year, there will be six new floats, including creations from toy brand Labubu and a timely float inspired by “Stranger Things,” launching just as the final season premieres. Other new floats feature themes like “Land of Glaciers” and the “Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator.”
New character balloons will also make their debut, showcasing Buzz Lightyear, Pac-Man, Nintendo’s Mario, and Shrek’s Onion Carriage.
