98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Schedule, Performers, and Weather Forecast

The 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to take place on Thursday, November 28, in Manhattan, New York City. The parade will kick off at 8:30 a.m. and will last approximately three-and-a-half hours, covering a 2.5-mile route through the heart of the city.

This year’s parade will feature a diverse lineup of performers, including Charli D’Amelio, Dan + Shay, Idina Menzel, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Coco Jones, Liza Colón-Zayas, The Temptations, T-Pain, and The New York Liberty with Ellie the Elephant. The parade will also include 22 balloons, 33 floats, 7 balloonicles, 11 marching bands, 28 clown crews, and four performance groups.

For those planning to watch the parade in person, it is recommended to arrive early, around 6 a.m., to secure a good spot along the public viewing areas on 6th Avenue and Central Park West. Certain areas, such as West 77th Street and Central Park West, Columbus Circle, and West 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue, are off-limits for public viewing.

The weather forecast for the parade indicates chilly temperatures and wet weather, with rain expected across the region. However, the winds are not expected to exceed the safety thresholds for the balloons, which cannot fly if sustained winds reach 23 mph or gusts reach 34 mph.

NBC will broadcast the parade, marking its continued role as the official broadcast home since 1953. Notably, CBS will not be airing its own coverage of the parade this year.

The parade will conclude with a performance from the Radio City Rockettes followed by the arrival of Santa Claus, symbolically marking the start of the Christmas season for many viewers.