- US News. What time is the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and where to watch it?
- US News. What balloons will be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year? Classics and new ones
The annual Macy'sThanksgiving Day Parade is a tradition that draws spectators from around the world.
Dozens of giant balloons and iconic floats with stunning performances are part of the magic every New Year's Eve.
Have you ever wondered how many hours go into creating the show? Or how many people are involved in the parade? The last answer is more than 5,000 volunteers, in case you were wondering. But what else you need to know?
Parade
This annual celebration that's famously recognized as the kick-off of the holiday season has been around for quite sometime - and this year marks the parade's 98th year. The first parade took place in 1924, and was cancelled during 1942, 1943 and 1944 due to World War II.
Giant character helium balloons
The balloons-from big character balloons like Pillsbury Dough Boy, Snoopy, and Pikachu and newcomers Ada Twist, Scientist and Baby Yoda, aka Grogu, to the smaller holiday balloons-will be inflated at West 72nd Street and Central Park West. The inflation will be open to the public between 12 and 6 p.m.
This year's parade will feature 17 giant character balloons,15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns and 10 performance groups.
Mile route
The parade spans 2.5 miles, starting on the Upper West Side and ending at Macy's Herald Square. It kicks off at 8:30 a.m. at West 77th Street and Central Park West, proceeds along Central Park West, es through Columbus Circle, crosses Central Park South to Sixth Avenue, and continues downtown to Herald Square.
Macy's suggests attendees go to 6th Avenue between West 59th and West 38th streets for the best views.
Floats
There are 22 floats in all, and each is made up of hundreds of different scenic pieces and structural elements. However, the floats do not drive themselves, as they are towed by trucks driven by of New York's Theatrical Teamsters, Local 817.
Music at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature performances from Bishop Briggs, Kylie Cantrall, Chlöe, Dan + Shay, Dasha, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Host Jimmy Fallon and the show's house band, The Roots, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Ariana Madix, Joey McIntyre, Idina Menzel, Natti Natasha, T-Pain, Rachel Platten, Lea Salonga, The Temptations, The War and Treaty, Alex Warren, and Sebastián Yatra. Dancer Charli D'Amelio will also perform, as well as ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia.