Whether you watch bundled up on the streets of Manhattan or from the comfort of the couch, the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a can't-miss tradition.
This year’s parade — the 96th annual — will feature 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups and, of course, Santa Claus.
Thanksgiving
For those who plan on attending the parade Thanksgiving morning, it will start at 77th Street and Central Park West and then march down its signature 2.5-mile. The parade goes from Central Park West to Columbus Circle, turning onto Central Park South and then down 6th Avenue/Avenue of the Americas. At 34th Street, the Parade will make its final turn west and end at 7th Avenue in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
Find more details on the parade route and public viewing locations below and at Macy's website.
Returning giant balloons include “Astronaut Snoopy,” “The Boss Baby,” Chase from “Paw Patrol,” the Pillsbury Doughboy, Red Titan from “Ryan’s World,” Ronald McDonald, Papa Smurf from "The Smurfs,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” and Pikachu and Eevee from "Pokémon".
The Macy’s parade has been a traditional holiday season kickoff and spectators often line up a half-dozen deep along the route to cheer the marchers, floats, entertainers and marching bands.
Viewers nationwide can see the parade live on NBC and streaming on Peacock starting at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 24.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly> Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
