Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The best way to kick off your Turkey Day arrives in less than a week for its 98th edition.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns on Nov. 28 and will once again feature iconic balloons, memorable floats, and an array of performances by some of music’s biggest names. TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker are also back as the hosts for the annual event, which is expected to bring plenty of joy and fun moments.
To get you in the Thanksgiving spirit, the “Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” special will air the night before Thanksgiving on Nov. 27 with a behind-the-scenes look at the festivities.
This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which will include 17 featured character balloons, 22 floats, 15 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 11 marching bands, 10 performance groups and musical artists.
How to watch the parade?
The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC and Peacock on Nov. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones, followed by an encore presentation at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
Al, Savannah and Hoda will bring you all the action, and the simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
What are the new floats this year?
Macy’s gave TODAY’s Dylan Dreyer an exclusive first look at some of the six new floats at the Macy’s parade studio in Moonachie, New Jersey, on Nov. 19. She was joined by Brendan Kennedy, Macy’s director of creative production.
She got an up close look at the Pasta Knight float from Rao’s Homemade that features a fire-breathing dragon, and an exotic Wondrous World of Wildlife float from The Bronx Zoo adorned with life-size replicas of giraffes, tigers, a gorilla and more.
The sweetest float is the Candy Cosmos from gummy bear purveyors Haribo, which features a giant replica of its gold bear mascot along with twin snakes, frogs, gummy worms and a rocket ship.
The three other new floats this year are Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon & Paramount, Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line and Masterfeast by Netflix.
What else is new to the 2024 parade?
Six new balloons will join iconic favorites like Snoopy and Pikachu this year.
Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” Goku from “Dragon Ball,” and Marshall from “Paw Patrol” will all take to the streets of Manhattan. Spider-Man also returns after a hiatus.
What time does the parade start?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled to begin on 77th Street and Central Park West at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Who is performing?
This year’s star-studded lineup includes Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, Billy Porter, Loud Luxury, T-Pain, Ariana Madix, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Dan + Shay, Bishop Briggs, Kylie Cantrall, The Temptations, Charli D’Amelio and more.
Actor Alison Brie will cut the ribbon to kick off this year’s parade festivities.
“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo will make an appearance along with Jonathan Bennett, Liza Colón-Zayas, Tom Kenny, and Ginna Claire Mason. Members of the reigning WNBA champion New York Liberty and Ellie the Elephant will also be part of the festivities.
As always, there will be plenty of Broadway flair. This year will feature performances from the musicals “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Outsiders,” as well as the annual appearance by the Radio City Rockettes.
