Macy’s Parade 2023: All You Need To Know For This Year’s Thanksgiving

The much-anticipated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to enchant spectators once again with its dazzling display of balloons, lively marching bands, celebrity performances, and, of course, the grand finale featuring Santa Claus. As a cherished tradition, the parade serves as a festive kickoff to the holiday season, bringing joy and excitement to the streets of New York City.

Saihaj Kaur Madan

Updated on: 23 November 2023 6:20 am

Spectacle From The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on 24th Nov, 2011 in New York City

Apart from the traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, stuffing, and pie, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an integral part of the holiday. This year, the event is scheduled for Thursday, November 23, starting 30 minutes earlier than usual at 8:30 am and lasting until noon. Fans often arrive as early as 6 am or even sooner to secure their preferred viewing spots on the sidelines. The Macy's Parade has long been a traditional start to the holiday season, drawing crowds that line the route to enthusiastically cheer for marchers, floats, entertainers, and marching bands.

Who Is Performing At The Macy’s Parade?

This year’s parade features 11 marching bands, 29 clown crews, 18 performers and 7 performance groups. Viewers will get to witness performances by artists like Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste, who will be commencing the festivities, and the legendary diva who made us all believe in love, Cher. She will be headlining the Thanksgiving parade.

In the midst of a bustling schedule, Cher is gearing up to launch a 25th-anniversary edition of her Grammy-winning album "Believe" and has recently released her first album in five years, titled "Christmas". Cher will treat the fortunate crowds along the parade route to live performances of her latest holiday hits. She will make her appearance just before the parade's end, signaled by the arrival of Santa's sleigh, parade organizers said.

This year's parade also promises a diverse musical lineup that caters to a wide range of music lovers, featuring not only prominent artists but also a variety of genres. Highlights include Alex Smith's Louisiana-infused Nashville country, the Queen of Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw, amplified Americana by Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, K-pop sensation Enhyphen, holiday classics performed by David Foster and Katherine McPhee, acapella favorites from Pentatonix, and even a touch of reggaeton from Manuel Turizo. The performances are sure to be memorable and captivating for audiences of all tastes.

Representing Broadway, there will be performances from "& Juliet," "Back to the Future: The Musical," "How To Dance In Ohio," "Shucked," and "Spamalot," along with appearances by Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells from "Gutenberg! The Musical!".

Representing Florida, a marching band from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a community marked by one of the nation's tragic school shootings, will participate. Other marching bands in this year's lineup will represent states including Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, New York, Illinois, New Jersey, and Texas.

Other notable guests include Grace Stanke, this year’s Miss America and Jordan Chiles, an Olympic gymnast.

Balloons And Floats At The Macy’s Parade

The parade will showcase 31 floats, 25 balloons and 6 self-powered balloonicles.

Seven new colossal balloons will be introduced to the lineup, featuring "Beagle Scout Snoopy," "Blue Cat & Chugs," "Kung Fu Panda's Po," "Leo, the Lizard" "Monkey D. Luffy," "Pillsbury Doughboy," and "Uncle Dan.

Po from "Kung Fu Panda" makes a comeback in this year's parade sporting a fresh appearance, coinciding with the upcoming release of "Kung Fu Panda 4" next spring. Additionally, making its debut in the parade is Leo, a 74-year-old lizard featured in the new Netflix animated film "Leo," starring Adam Sandler.

Returning giant balloons include favorites such as "Bluey," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "Paw Patrol," "Ryan's World," "Pikachu," "Ronald McDonald," "Stuart the Minion," and "SpongeBob SquarePants."

Floats from well-known brands such as Lego, "Peanuts," "Baby Shark," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," and "Sesame Street" will be featured in the parade.

Where To Watch The Macy’s Parade At Home?

The parade will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock, with "Today" hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker taking on hosting duties. Additionally, a Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.

Where Is The Parade?

The parade covers a 2.5-mile route from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Macy's flagship store, starting at West 77th Street and Central Park West and concluding at Herald Square. Public viewing is restricted in some areas along the route. The optimal locations for spectators are along Central Park West, specifically between West 75th and West 61st Streets, and along Sixth Avenue, particularly between West 59th and West 38th Streets. To secure the best vantage points, spectators often arrive as early as 6 am.