Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: A Timeless Celebration of Joy and Unity

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade fills the hearts of millions of people with joy. This annual show is a grand celebration of art, culture and holiday spirit taking place in New York City. This spectacle captivates audiences both in person and through television broadcasts.

Save

Starts from 9 AM till noon on 77th Street! Live on NBC

Why do we celebrate the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The Macy’s Parade is celebrated to kick off the holiday season with joy and festivity. It’s a tradition from the 1920s, aiming to bring cheer to New Yorkers and promoting the Christmas shopping from Macy’s departmental store. It has evolved into a cherished tradition that is loved by the people of the United States.

How long is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The Macy’s parade lasts up to 2.5 to 3 hours. The parade is filled with colorful floats, giant balloons, marching bands and celebrity performances. The 3-hour duration gives audiences a decent amount of time to enjoy the festivities. The parade will broadcast live on NBC, allowing people around the country to join in from home. The whole parade is so joyful that time flies by for spectators and TV , Dour sports viewers alike.

What is the Parade Route?

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade follows a specific route. Spanning approximately 2.5 miles. And this route follows through the streets of Manhattan in New York. The parade begins at 77th Street. Then proceeds to head down Central Park West before making a turn at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South. Then it continues along this street until it reaches 6th Avenue. After that, The parade heads south and passes through popular landmarks such as Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center. Afterwards, it makes a final turn reaching 34th Street. The parade ends in front of the iconic Macy’s Herald Square store. It’s located between 34th and 35th Street. This is where Santa Claus makes his grand appearance, marking the official start of the holiday season.

What are the new balloons in the Thanksgiving Day Parade? Who is performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023?

Every year, Macy’s Parade comes up with new balloons. This year is no different, bringing up some new balloons, floats, bands, performers, clowns and so on. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade has always been the kid’s favorite. This year, Macy’s is bringing up these mentioned parade elements below-

Giants Ballons

Beagle Scout Snoopy – Peanuts Worldwide (NEW!)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Abrams Books (NEW!)
Grogu – Funko and Lucasfilm (3rd time)
Pikachu & Eevee – The Pokémon Company International (3rd time)

Novelty Balloons

Cool Cats – Cool Cats NFT (NEW!)

Balloonicles

Go Bowling – Go Bowling (6th time)

Floats

1-2-3 Sesame Street – Sesame Workshop (19th time)
Celebration Gator – The Louisiana Office of Tourism (3rd time)
Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree – Macy’s (7th time)
Magic Meets the Sea – Disney Cruise Line (3rd time)
People of First Light – Macy’s (2nd time)
Santa’s Sleigh – Macy’s (15th time)
Tom Turkey – Macy’s (6th time)
The Wondership – Wonder (NEW!)

Specialty Units

NYC Parks Unit (35th time)
NYPD Motorcycles (39th time)
NYPD Unit (96th time)

Marching Bands

Alabama A&M University – Marching White & Maroon (Huntsville, AL)
The Band Directors – Marching Band (Nationwide)
Fishers High School – Marching Tiger Band (Fishers, IN)
Greendale High School – Marching Band (Greendale, WI)
Jenison High School – Marching Band (Jenison, MI)
Macy’s Great American – Marching Band (Nationwide)
Mercer Island High School – Marching Band (Mercer Island, WA)
NYPD – Marching Band (New York, NY)
O’Fallon Township High School – Marching Panthers (O’Fallon, IL)
Rutgers University – Marching Scarlet Knights (Piscataway, NJ)
Stoneman Douglas – Eagle Regiment (Parkland, FL)
Texas Tech University – Goin’ Band from Raiderland (Lubbock, TX)

Guest Stars

Captain Minnie Mouse and Friends – Magic Meets the Sea
The Cast of Sesame Street – 1-2-3 Sesame Street
Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree Choir – Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus – Santa’s Sleigh

Special Characters

Macy’s Starlets

Performance Groups

Spirit of America Cheer
Spirit of America Dance Stars

Pre-Parade Acts

The Radio City Rockettes

Stilt Walkers

Mardi Gras (3rd time)

Conclusion

In short, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a beloved tradition that brings joy and unity. Moreover, Marks the start of the holiday season. It’s an annual event that puts smiles and excitement to millions of people. The date and time of the parade are highly anticipated. As families gather around their TVs or make their way on the streets to witness this spectacular display. Taking place on Thanksgiving day, the parade has become a beloved tradition for many Americans. It’s a time to be thankful, come together, and celebrate the magic of the holidays