Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024/ 100th Macy’s Parade/ new balloons and floats/ holiday events NYC/ Macy’s Parade live streaming/ NEW YORK/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates its 100th year Thursday, featuring new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo- and pasta-themed floats, and performances by Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel. The iconic parade starts at 8:30 a.m., airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock, with a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo.
100 Years of Macy’s Parade: Quick Looks
- Start Time: Parade begins at 8:30 a.m., runs until noon.
- Broadcast: NBC, Peacock, and a Telemundo Spanish simulcast.
- New Features: Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons; Rao’s pasta-themed float; Bronx Zoo anniversary float.
- Star Performances: Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
- Weather Forecast: Rainy, with temperatures in the upper 40s; winds safe for balloon flights.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Celebrates 100 Years with Spider-Man, Minnie Mouse
Deep Look
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a beloved holiday tradition that began in 1924, celebrates its 100th anniversary Thursday with a dazzling display of balloons, floats, and performances. This milestone event honors the parade’s legacy while introducing exciting new additions that continue to capture the holiday spirit.
A Century of Joy
Since its first journey through Manhattan, the Macy’s Parade has evolved from simple floats featuring fairy tale scenes like Mother Goose and Little Red Riding Hood to a spectacle with cutting-edge balloons, elaborate floats, and star-studded performances.
Today’s parade will feature:
- 17 giant helium-filled character balloons: New additions include Spider-Man, Minnie Mouse, and Bluey.
- 22 floats: Highlights include a pasta-themed float from Rao’s and a Bronx Zoo float celebrating its 125th anniversary with animal representations.
- Marching bands, clowns, and performers: The parade will feature 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, and appearances by the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
Rain or Shine Tradition
The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, winding 2.5 miles to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. Rain is in the forecast, but with winds expected at 10 mph, iconic balloons like Snoopy and Spider-Man will fly safely. New York City law restricts balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or gusts surpass 35 mph.
While weather challenges have occasionally grounded balloons, the parade itself has only been canceled three times—during World War II from 1942 to 1944.
Viewing Options
Viewers can tune in to NBC for live coverage hosted by Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker. For cord-cutters, the event streams on Peacock, while Spanish-language audiences can watch a Telemundo simulcast with hosts Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
A Milestone Celebration
Reflecting on the parade’s enduring impact, executive producer Will Coss said, “The opportunity to impact millions of people and bring a bit of joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning is what motivates us every day.”
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