Get ready for a magical day! The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is back with giant balloons, festive floats, and incredible performances. Find out when and where to catch all the fun. | Photo by Macy's / Facebook / Depor Composition
The holiday season is officially underway! The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade promises to be the biggest and brightest yet. With a dazzling array of giant balloons, vibrant floats, and captivating performances, this year’s parade is sure to amaze viewers of all ages.
Thousands of volunteers will come together to bring this iconic event to life, featuring beloved characters, talented marching bands, and renowned musical acts. As the parade winds its way through the streets of New York City, culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus, viewers can expect a festive spectacle that captures the spirit of the holidays.
On Thanksgiving Day at around 8:30 a.m. the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade commences on the west side of Central Park at 77th Street. The parade then continues down 6th Avenue towards Herald Square on 34thStreet, where the Macy’s department store is located. | Photo by newyorkcity.ca
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Start Time
The 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the largest yet in all its history, will take place on Thursday, November 28 from 8:30 a.m. ET until noon.
Where to watch the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV and streaming
The 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air live on NBC and simulcast on Peacock, with an encore presentation on NBC at 2 p.m.
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route map
The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route begins at West 77th Street and Central Park West, then travels south on Central Park West to Columbus Circle. From there, it turns east onto Central Park South and then south onto 6th Avenue, culminating at Macy’s Herald Square. Spectators can enjoy the festive atmosphere and watch the iconic balloons, floats, and marching bands from various designated public viewing areas along the route.
Find your spot to watch the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade along the 2.5-mile route of public viewing locations in the heart of New York City. | Photo by macys.com
Best viewing spots for the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
For the best view of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, head to Central Park West. The stretch between West 75th and West 61st Streets offers an optimal vantage point. Arrive early, ideally around 6 AM, to secure a prime spot. This early arrival will allow you to witness the parade’s start and avoid the crowds that gather towards the end of the route.
Once the initial part of the parade passes, shift your focus to Sixth Avenue. The section between West 59th and West 38th Streets is another excellent location to catch the festivities. Remember, the earlier you arrive, the better your viewing position will be.
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade balloons
This year, six new featured balloons will make their debut:
Minnie Mouse - NEW
Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf - NEW
Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse - NEW
Goku from Dragon Ball - NEW
Marshall from PAW Patrol - NEW
Spider-Man - NEW
Beagle Scout Snoopy
Bluey
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
Kung Fu Panda’s Po
Monkey D. Luffy
Opening Macy’s Stars
Pikachu & Eevee
The Pillsbury Doughboy
Pumpkins
Ronald McDonald
Sinclair’s Dino
Smokey Bear
Snow Crystals
SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary
Stuart the Minion
Tiptoe
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloonicles
The parade will feature the debut of four new balloonicles:
Bluey’s Grannies Car - NEW
Cookie & Crouton - NEW
Go Bowling - NEW
Lox & Java Trycaloon - NEW
Baby Dinos
Mouse King
Nutcracker
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats
The parade will feature the debut of six new floats:
Candy Cosmos by Haribo - NEW
Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon & Paramount - NEW
Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line - NEW
Pasta Knight by Rao’s Homemade - NEW
Wednesday’s Feast by Netflix - NEW
Wondrous World of Wildlife by Bronx Zoo - NEW
1-2-3 Sesame Street
Big City Sheer
Big Red Shoe Car
Big Turkey Spectacular
Birds of a Feather Stream Together
The Brick-Changer
Camp Snoopy
Colossal Wave of Wonder
Deck the Halls
Fantasy Chocolate Factory
Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party
Gift of Freedom
Harvest in the Valley
Heartwarming Holiday Countdown
Macy’s Santaland Express
Macy’s Winter Wonderland in Central Park
Palace of Sweets
Rocking Giraffe
Rocking Horse
Rocking Flamingo
Rocking Lobster
Rocking Moose
Santa’s Sleigh
SpongeBob SquarePants Garriage
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Tom Turkey
Universal’s Merry Moment
The Wondership
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marching bands
The parade will feature 11 marching bands:
Avon Marching Black & Gold
The Carolina Band of The University of South Carolina
East Tennessee State University Marching Buccaneers
Flower Mound High School Marching Band
The Lake Hamilton High School Marching Band—The Power Band of Arkansas
Macy’s Great American Marching Band
The Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School
New York City Police Department Marching Band
The Pride of West Virginia—The Mountaineer Marching Band
Sioux Falls Lincoln High School “Patriot” Marching Band
University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performers
The parade will feature 28 performers:
Alex Warren
Ariana Madix
Bishop Briggs
Charli D’Amelio
Chlöe
Coco Jones
Cole Escola
Dan + Shay
Dasha
Idina Menzel
Jennifer Hudson
Jimmy Fallon & The Roots
Joey McIntyre
Kylie Cantrall
Kylie Minogue
Lea Salonga
Liza Colón-Zayas
Loud Luxury
Natti Natasha
New York Liberty & Ellie the Elephant
Rachel Platten
Roman Mejia
Sebastián Yatra
The Temptations
Tiler Peck
T-Pain
Walker Hayes
The War and Treaty
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade clown crews
The parade will feature 28 clown crews:
Alphabet Clowns
Aviator Clowns
Baseball All-Star Clowns
Birthday Party Clowns
Breakfast Clowns
Camper Clowns
Car Wash Clowns
City Tourist Clowns
Coconutty Clowns
Corny-Copia Clowns
Funny Bone Medical Team
Funny Farm Clowns
Funny Firefighter Brigade
Funny Flurry Clowns
Half-Baked Holiday Sweets
Holiday Clowns
Keystone Cops
Macy’s Superheroes
Malt Shop Clowns
Nutty-Cracker Ballet Clowns
Nutty Professor Einsteins & Wacky Graduates
Photographer Clowns
Santa’s Elfen Helpers
Silly Seaside Clowns & Sailors
Sleepy Clowns
Toy Box Clowns
Turkey Tech Players & Sports Fans
Viking Clowns
2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance groups