The calendar has flipped to November, which means it’s time for America to come together and perform its most patriotic civic duty: to gather ‘round the TV and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade so we can avoid talking to the in-laws.
For 2024, which is the 100th anniversary of the first-ever Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, viewers will see 17 new balloons and floats, 11 marching bands and 24 performers spanning generations from The Temptations to Charli D’Amelio.
The annual NBC broadcast will also stream on Peacock, with the parade set to begin at 8:30 a.m. ET. With the parade kicking off at 77th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan and running downtown to the Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, here’s everything to expect on November 28.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast is produced by Silent House Productions. Baz Halpin, Mark Bracco, Linda Gierahn serve as executive producers, and Sacha Mueller as co-executive producer.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Will Feature Performers from The Temptations to T-Pain
Macy’s has announced a lineup of 24 performers, featuring something for every member of the family. Legendary Motown group The Temptations will perform on the The Wondership by Wonder float, while Ariana Madix of Vanderpump Rules can be found on the Birds of a Feather Stream Together by Peacock float.
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Hip-hop fans should keep an eye on the Big Turkey Spectacular by Jennie-O float, where T-Pain will make an appearance. Then there’s Idina Menzel, who will be on the Wondrous World of Wildlife by the Bronx Zoo float.
One of the biggest names of all will appear on the Gift of Freedom by Macy’s float alongside members of the 2024 WNBA Champion New York Liberty. Ellie the Elephant, the Liberty mascot who has already appeared on Good Morning America, The View, Tamron Hall and The Late Show, will surely steal the show in the parade — maybe even with her famed Ellie Stomp.
The complete list of performers also includes D’Amelio, Alex Warren, Bishop Briggs, Chlöe, Coco Jones, Dan + Shay, Dasha, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Joey McIntyre, Kylie Cantrall, Lea Salonga, Liza Colón-Zayas, Natti Natasha, Rachel Platten, Roman Mejia, Sebastián Yatra, Tiler Peck, Walker Hayes, and The War and Treaty.
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Spiderman Among 17 New Balloons and Floats Added to Iconic Lineup
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade wouldn’t be complete without its massive collection of balloons, balloonicles (balloons powered by internal vehicles) and floats. The parade will introduce 17 new additions this year, spanning everyone from Spiderman to Dora the Explorer.
Disney, as always, will be well represented. Parade goers will see the Magic Meets the Seas float, inspired by Disney Cruise Lines. They’ll also see Minnie Mouse make her balloon debut. Minnie measures as a five-story-tall and 60-foot-long balloon and, per Macy’s, will be as wide as five taxi cabs.
Perhaps the most unique new float is titled Pasta Knight, presented by Rao’s Homemade. If the NBC broadcast zooms in on the float, take a close look at the knight’s armor. It will be comprised of pasta shapes including orecchiette, fusilli, penne, tortiglioni, rotelle and rigatoni.
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High School and College Marching Bands Keep Tradition Alive
Between the floats, performers and balloons, marching bands of all kinds will add some musical flair to the production. At the college level, South Carolina, East Tennessee State and UMass will all have their marching bands in the parade.
But many football fans see these bands on college football Saturdays. Rarely does a national audience get to watch high school bands, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will honor some of the best in the country. The Sioux Falls Lincoln High School “Patriot” Marching Band is one of them. The South Dakota assembly is made of 350 members and returns to the parade after performing in 1994, 2000 and 2008. The Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School will join them after an invitation from First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to visit the White House in April.
The full list of balloons, floats and performs at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can be found here.
Where Can You Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
While CBS traditionally airs the parade each year, NBC will be the only network hosting the broadcast in 2024 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET. The show will also be available to stream live on Peacock.
