New York’s Staten Island. The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is quickly approaching, so get cozy indoors or wrap up outside to take in the sights and sounds.
The parade, which is in its 98th year, will include 4,500 costumes, 28 clown crews, 11 marching bands, 22 floats, and 39 gigantic balloons.
This year, over 3.5 million people are anticipated to witness the event live along the 2.5-mile Manhattan route, and an additional 30 million will watch on NBC and Peacock on Thursday, Nov. 28.
With over 5,000 volunteers, 17 highlighted character balloons, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, over 700 clowns, 10 performing groups, and the biggest names in music, the parade lineup is expected to be the biggest yet, according to the parade organizers.
In the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a brand-new Minnie Mouse balloon will make its premiere. (Photo for Macy’s by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images)Macy’s Getty Images
Despite starting in 1924, there were a few disruptions to the parade. Because of World War II, it was canceled in 1942, 1943, and 1944. Rubber and other commodities that would have been used in the celebration were allocated to war activities during that period. In 2026, there will be the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
According to Will Coss, executive producer of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the parade is a cherished custom that ushers in the holiday season for millions of viewers and live spectators nationwide. At Macy’s Studios, a committed group of artists and production professionals strive all year long to make this experience a reality. The 98th Macy’s Parade this year will astonish with its unique floats, fascinating character balloons, and the top-notch entertainment that only Macy’s can provide.
It is anticipated that the renowned event will last longer than three hours.
Festivities
Casts from popular Broadway productions perform on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade stage each year to delight audiences nationwide. Along with the legendary Radio City Rockettes, Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Outsiders will perform on this year’s official national broadcast.
Of course, performance groups will also be a part of the event.
There will be a variety of performances from Spirit of America Productions, AUM Dance Creations, and Circus Vazquez.
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 Sebasti n Yatra will all be taking part in the celebrations, along with Jimmy Fallon and the Roots.
The program will include ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia, as well as dance sensation Charli D. Amelio. Stars Ginna Claire Mason, Tom Kenny, Liza Col n-Zayas, and Jonathan Bennett will also join in the fun.
Special visits will also be made by Ellie the Elephant and members of the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
Macy’s claims that six new featured character balloons will be available, including Spider-Man, Goku from Dragon Ball, Marshall from Paw Patrol, Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, and Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse.
In the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Nickelodeon float Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest will make its debut. (Macy’s courtesy)Thanks to Macy’s
Floats
A team of carpenters, engineers, electricians, painters, animators, balloon technicians, sculptors, metal fabricators, and scenic and costume designers envision, design, and engineer floats with exhilarating effects and whimsical animations that evoke happiness and excitement in the months preceding the parade.
This year’s Macy’s Parade will feature six new floats: Haribo’s Candy Cosmos; Nickelodeon & Paramount’s Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest; Disney Cruise Line’s Magic Meets the Seas; Rao’s Homemade’s Pasta Knight; Netflix’s Wednesday’s Feast; and The Bronx Zoo’s Wondrous World of Wildlife.
Strikes Again by Go Bowling!, The Garriage by Nickelodeon (a whimsical carriage based on SpongeBob’s pet snail), and The Grannies Car from BBC Studios Bluey are among the new speciality units for the 2024 Macy’s Parade.
Alongside Santa’s Sleigh and other beloved floats, the premiere floats will be pulled by Ram trucks, the official truck of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The route
At 8:30 a.m., the parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West.
On the west side of Central Park West, between West 75th and West 61st streets, enthusiasts typically arrive beginning at 6 a.m. There are some amazing vistas along this section. On Central Park West, between West 59th and West 60th streets, there isn’t a public viewing.
There is no public viewing of the procession as it turns onto Columbus Circle. Great viewing is available from West 59th Street all the way down to West 38th Street as the parade travels south on Sixth Avenue from Columbus Circle.
Because national television broadcasting crews will restrict viewing, spectators are advised not to attempt to watch the procession on Sixth Avenue between West 34th Street and West 38th streets, or on West 34th Street between Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue.
After that, the procession will spin one more time and come to a stop in front of Macy’s Herald Square. No public viewing is scheduled there.
Balloon inflation
One of the most popular events for fans is always watching the balloon inflation. Indeed, it is anticipated that one million people will watch it this year. On Wednesday, Nov. 27 from noon to 6 p.m., those cherished, iconic balloons will be ready for takeoff on the Upper West Side, outside the Museum of Natural History, between West 77th and West 81st streets.
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