One of America’s cherished Thanksgiving morning rituals is fast approaching: the much-anticipated Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Many look forward to tuning in to television and spotting their favorite balloons during this festive event.
The parade originally began in 1924. However, it will not be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year due to breaks taken during World War II (1942-1944), when resources such as rubber were diverted to support the war effort.
This year’s event promises to be vibrant, featuring 22 floats, 17 character balloons, and 15 heritage or novelty balloons, alongside an impressive gathering of over 700 clowns, as reported by NBC, the event’s broadcaster. Attendees can also enjoy performances from several musical artists, 11 marching bands, and 10 performance groups. Esteemed choreographer Shay Latukolan will lend her expertise to coordinate dance routines for figures such as Tom Turkey and Santa Claus, along with three specially highlighted floats.
For those eager to catch the festivities, the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and continue for 3.5 hours, concluding at noon. The parade will begin its journey on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, with its grand finale at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, New York City.
Viewers can watch the parade live on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to noon across all time zones on Thursday, November 28. The broadcast will also be available for streaming on Peacock and Fubo. An encore presentation will air on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT. Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker from NBC’s “Today” show will once again serve as the parade’s hosts.
In a bid to enhance accessibility, the full broadcast will include a live audio description for visually impaired viewers, courtesy of Descriptive Video Works, allowing them to follow along with additional narration of the parade’s visual elements.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. This year’s parade will introduce six new character balloons, among them Minnie Mouse, Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, Goku from Dragon Ball, and Spider-Man, alongside five other favorites. Six new floats will also make their debut, including themed creations like Candy Cosmos by Haribo and Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line.
This captivating celebration not only showcases vibrant floats and balloons but also unites people in celebration and gratitude, keeping the spirit of Thanksgiving alive. As families gather around their screens this November, the parade promises joyful moments and cherished memories, embodying the essence of the holiday season.
In summary, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with its impressive lineup of performances, balloons, and floats, is shaping up to be a delightful experience for viewers, enhancing the holiday spirit with creativity and fun.