The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns Thursday for its 99th year, bringing floats, balloons and live performances to Manhattan and to TV screens nationwide. The celebration will include more than 5,000 volunteers, 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands and musical guests such as Cynthia Erivo and Darlene Love.
A brief history
The parade began in 1924 as the Macy’s Christmas Parade to boost holiday sales. Live zoo animals were phased out in 1927 and replaced with the oversized character balloons that have become a signature element. This year’s lineup also features parade favorites like Minnie Mouse and Spider-Man.
When and where
The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. in all U.S. time zones on Thursday, Nov. 27. NBC says Cynthia Erivo will open with a show-stopping number. The route starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West and travels roughly 2.5 miles to Macy’s Herald Square. For prime street viewing, stand between West 59th and West 38th streets; many spectators begin lining up around 6 a.m. Macy’s provides an interactive route map with recommended viewing spots and areas to avoid.
How to watch
NBC and Peacock will stream the parade live on Thursday morning, with an encore airing on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT. Telemundo will carry a Spanish-language simulcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. A full NBC broadcast will also be available via the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) channel for blind and visually impaired viewers. The National Dog Show follows on NBC at 12 p.m.
Hosts
Hoda Kotb returns as co-host for her eighth parade, joined again by Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker.
Performers
After Cynthia Erivo opens the parade, performers scheduled include EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI (from Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters), Darlene Love, Ciara, Colbie Caillat, Lil Jon and Busta Rhymes. Broadway-related acts set to appear include Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time and Ragtime. The Rockettes will celebrate their 100th anniversary with a special performance, and Santa Claus, pulled by his reindeer, will close the parade.
Balloons and favorites
Macy’s Studios is reintroducing historic balloons from early parades—Rainbow and Greybow Trouts, the Happy Hippo and Freida the Dachshund—alongside several new and returning balloons. New additions include Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek’s Onion Carriage and Mario. Returning favorites include Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Bluey.
Countdown special
NBC and Peacock will also air a primetime special, Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Broadcast live from the parade’s starting point, the special offers a behind-the-scenes look at floats, balloons and bands.