Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Schedule, Performers, and How to Watch

The 98th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Manhattan, New York City. The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. ET on the Upper West Side at West 77th Street and Central Park West and will conclude around noon outside the Macy’s flagship store at 34th Street Herald Square.

This year’s parade promises to be an exciting event, featuring 17 giant character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, and 10 performance groups. New character balloons include Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from *Gabby’s Dollhouse*, Spider-Man, Marshall from *PAW Patrol*, and Goku from *Dragon Ball*.

The parade will also include a diverse lineup of performers, such as Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Ariana Madix, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Jennifer Hudson, Billy Porter, Loud Luxury, and Kylie Minogue. Additionally, the New York Liberty, fresh from their first WNBA championship win, will participate along with their mascot Ellie the Elephant. Broadway performances from *Hell’s Kitchen*, *The Outsiders*, and *Death Becomes Her* will also be featured, along with a festive special from the *Radio City Rockettes*.

The parade will be hosted by Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker, with Alison Brie cutting the ribbon to begin the procession. The event will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock and Telemundo for Spanish-speaking audiences. An encore telecast will air at 2 p.m. ET.

Spectators planning to watch the parade in person should arrive early, ideally by 6 a.m., and stick to public viewing areas along 6th Avenue and Central Park West. Due to the forecast of rain and chilly weather, umbrellas are not allowed, and spectators are advised to bring rain jackets and layers.

The parade route spans 2.5 miles, starting at West 77th Street and Central Park West, proceeding down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, then east on Central Park South, and finally down 6th Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square. Certain areas, including the starting point, Columbus Circle, and the broadcast zone near Macy’s Herald Square, are off-limits for public viewing.