The 99th annual Macyâs Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to New York City on Thursday with 34 giant balloons, 28 floats, and a packed lineup of performers. TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will once again host the broadcast.
The parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. ET from West 77th Street and Central Park West, travels 2.5 miles through Manhattan and ends at Macyâs Herald Square at noon.
GettyCrowds begin gathering as early as 6 a.m. The best viewing spots are located along Central Park West from West 75th to West 63rd streets, the south side of West 59th Street between Columbus Circle and Sixth Avenue, and along Sixth Avenue from West 59th to West 38th streets, though access is limited between West 34th and West 38th streets.
How to Watch the Parade From Home
NBC and Peacock will air the parade live starting at 8:30 a.m. ET in all time zones. The broadcast ends at noon, followed by an encore telecast at 2 p.m.
A Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo will feature hosts Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow.
Balloons, Behind-the-Scenes Prep and Fan Access
Fans can get an early look at Macyâs famous giant balloons on Thanksgiving Eve. The public balloon inflation runs from 1 to 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with the line opening at noon at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue.
Visitors are directed toward West 77th Street and Central Park West, where the larger-than-life characters begin to take shape.
The viewing path moves across West 77th Street and continues north on Columbus Avenue to West 81st Street.
Spectators exit at West 81st Street and Central Park West, where they can also watch crews assemble floats between West 81st and West 86th streets.
This yearâs parade introduces several new character balloons, including Buzz Lightyear from Pixar Animation Studios, Pac-Man from Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Shrekâs Onion Carriage from DreamWorks Animation, and Mario from Nintendo.
GettyDerpy Tiger and Sussie from the Netflix film âKPop Demon Huntersâ will appear as a midsized balloon and balloonicle.
The parade also adds a trio of hippos inspired by Happy Hippo and a large new balloonicle featuring the Frost Pips from the Elf on the Shelf Santaverse.
Performers, Bands and Brand-New Floats
This yearâs parade will showcase 28 performers, 11 marching bands, 33 clown crews, and nine performance groups.
âWicked: For Goodâ star Cynthia Erivo will open the broadcast with a special number, followed by country favorite Lainey Wilson, who will perform in front of Herald Square as she concludes her sold-out âWhirlwind World Tour.â
EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI, the singing voices of HUNTR//XX /X from the Netflix film âKPop Demon Hunters,â will also appear.
Additional performers include Ciara, Callum Scott, Colbie Caillat, Russell Dickerson, Darlene Love, Busta Rhymes, Lauren Spencer Smith, and âHamiltonâ actor Christopher Jackson.
Six new floats will debut this year: The Land of Ice & Wonder by Holland America Line, Brick-tastic Winter Mountain by the Lego Group, Master Chocolatier Ballroom by Lindt, Upside Down Invasion: Stranger Things by Netflix, Friends-giving in POP CITY by Pop Mart, and Counting Sheepâs Dream Generator by Serta.
Returning staples will round out the lineup, with Santaâs Sleigh once again closing the parade at Herald Square. Check more details here.
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