Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you are a native New Yorker or a tourist, there is nothing quite like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to help you feel festive and inspired. Here’s everything you need to know about the parade this year!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is back for its 98th year, and ready to kick off the holiday season on Thursday, November 28 at 8:30 am. Everyone’s favorite giant balloons, amazing floats, and festive performances will be on hand, as well as several new floats and balloons.
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This Year’s Lineup of Performers
As always, the parade will be packed with incredible live performances. Macy’s has announced that actor and singer Jennifer Hudson, pop icon Kylie Minogue, and Broadway star Billy Porter will headline this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The trio will perform in front of Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square.
This year’s lineup also includes Bishop Briggs, Dan + Shay, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Idina Menzel, and the Temptations. There will be performances by Chlöe, Coco Jones, and Sebastián Yatra.
For fans of dance, world-class ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia will bring their graceful moves to the parade route. Broadway fans won’t be disappointed either—this year’s Parade will feature performances from casts of Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Outsiders, along with the one-and-only Radio City Rockettes. TikTok star Charli D’Amelio will also perform.
In addition to the music and dance performances, there will be special appearances by actor and television host, Jonathan Bennett, Tom Kenny (SpongeBob!), and Ellie the Elephant, along with members of the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
Actress Alison Brie, best known for her roles in Community and GLOW, is stepping in as the face of Macy’s 2024 holiday campaign. She will officially start the Parade as she joins other special guests to help cut the ribbon and get the festivities underway.
Giant Balloons and Incredible Floats
The Macy’s Parade is famous for its gigantic, eye-catching balloons, and 2024 is no exception. Six brand-new character balloons will make their debut, including Disney’s Minnie Mouse, Spider-Man, and Goku from Dragon Ball. There’s also a new Elf on the Shelf balloon, along with PAW Patrol’s Marshall and DreamWorks’ Gabby.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Macy’s also introduces six new floats this year, including Candy Cosmos by Haribo, Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon, and Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line. Of course, these floats, created by Macy’s talented artisans, are always packed with fun, color, and excitement.
Macy’s Winter Wonderland and Special Performances
In addition to the Parade, Macy’s will host a special performance in Central Park, featuring Sebastián Yatra and a choir made up of Macy’s colleagues and Big Brothers Big Sisters participants. This performance celebrates Macy’s ongoing partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters, helping young people through mentorship and experiences that make a difference.
Marching bands from all over the country will also be marching in the parade, including groups from the University of Massachusetts and Flower Mound High School. These bands bring high-energy performances that add to the excitement and nostalgia of the day.
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How to Watch the Parade
Can’t make it to New York City? No problem! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be broadcast live from 8:30 am to noon on NBC, with an encore presentation at 2 pm. It will also be available for streaming on Peacock, or you can watch it in Spanish on Telemundo. Plus, for viewers who are blind or have low vision, the broadcast will include live audio descriptions to make the experience more inclusive for everyone.
