How to watch and who’s playing: NPR

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will return Thursday for its 99th year, with beloved floats, balloons and live performances on the streets of Manhattan and on televisions nationwide.

This year’s parade will include more than 5,000 volunteers, 34 balloons, 28 floats, 11 marching bands and a host of musical performances from stars like Cynthia Erivo and Darlene Love.

Debuting as Macy’s Christmas Parade in 1924, the first march to its Herald Square flagship store featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo, in an effort to increase the department store’s holiday sales.

Viewers won’t see any live animals this year; the parade stopped including them in 1927 for safety reasons. Organizers replaced the real lions and tigers (and bears, oh my!) with the now-iconic oversized balloons. This year’s parade will feature oversized Macy’s stars Minnie Mouse and Spiderman.

“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings families together like nothing else on television and remains a tradition loved by millions,” said Jen Neal, executive vice president of live events and specials for NBCUniversal Entertainment. “We look forward to working with [Macy’s] to produce a spectacular parade that we know so many people love and cherish. »

Here’s how to watch and what to watch for.

When and where is it?

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones on Thursday, November 27.

Cynthia Erivo – the Tony, Emmy and Grammy award-winning star of Wicked And Villain: for good — will begin the festivities with a “breathtaking opening number,” according to NBC.

The parade will begin on West 77th Street and Central Park West in New York City, traveling a 2.5-mile journey to its ending point at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store.

For the best views, live viewers in New York can watch from 59th Street to West 38th Street. Here is an interactive map showing recommended viewpoints and areas to avoid.

Caution: You may want to set an early alarm. Spectators usually start lining up around 6 a.m.

How can I watch?

NBC and Peacock will broadcast the parade live Thursday morning, with an encore airing on NBC at 2 p.m. ET/PT.

Telemundo will also broadcast a Spanish-language simulcast starting at 8:30 a.m., hosted by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz and Clovis Nienow.

For blind and visually impaired spectators, a full broadcast of the NBC parade will be available on the SAP (Secondary Audio Program) channel.

Also don’t forget the National Dog Show, airing right after the parade on NBC at 12 p.m.

Who hosts?

Former NBC Today host Hoda Kotb will return to co-host the parade for her eighth time, alongside Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker.

“It feels like home,” Kotb told NPR of returning to NBC. “Every year, Macy’s ups the game.”

“There are so many surprises and delights” that audiences are looking forward to this year, Kotb says. Like many others, she’s excited to cover the new elements of the show, but she also cherishes what hasn’t changed.

“What I like so much about [the parade] Is it comforting to know that things don’t always change so drastically. » On Thanksgiving morning, she said, “you get that feeling of a warm blanket” and “all those memories that come with” the parade and its annual traditions.

Who’s playing ?

Spectators can expect a wide variety of entertainment in front of Macy’s during the parade.

Following the opening performance by Cynthia Erivo, EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI — the singing trio behind the Netflix megahit Demon Hunters KPop — will perform with Darlene Love, Ciara, Colbie Caillat, Lil Jon and Busta Rhymes; to name just a few.

Broadway productions that will be performing include Buena Vista Social Club, Just in time And Ragtime. The Rockettes will also celebrate their 100th anniversary with a special and undoubtedly impactful performance.

As usual, Santa Claus and his sleigh pulled by reindeer will close the procession to celebrate the end of year holidays.

And the balloons?

Ahead of the parade’s 100th anniversary in 2026, Macy’s Studios will reintroduce historic balloon elements from this year’s early parades, including the Rainbow and Rainbow Trout, the Happy Hippopotamus and Freida the Dachshund.

Some newcomers also join the range of 32 balloons: Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Shrek’s Onion Carriage and Mario.

Familiar favorites include Snoopy, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Bluey.

Can’t wait for Thanksgiving?

NBC and Peacock will air the primetime special “Countdown to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26.

Broadcast live from the parade’s starting point, the special will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the parade, floats, balloons and bands before they roll through the streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day.