Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Celebrates 100 Years

New York City is marking a century of the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with this year’s event promising a dazzling array of entertainment, including new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, floats themed around zoos and pasta, and performances by stars like Jennifer Hudson and Idina Menzel.

The 2024 lineup showcases how the parade has evolved since its debut in 1924, which featured floats inspired by classic fairy tales such as Mother Goose and Little Red Riding Hood. Despite the changes, some traditions remain unchanged, including marching bands, clowns, and the grand finale featuring Santa Claus, signaling the start of the holiday season.

This year’s event will feature 17 giant character balloons, 22 elaborate floats, 15 novelty inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, and appearances by WNBA champions, the New York Liberty. Highlights include a Rao’s-themed float with a knight and dragon crafted from pasta and another float celebrating the Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary with life-like depictions of wild animals.

Will Coss, executive producer of the parade, expressed the team’s enthusiasm, saying, “Bringing joy to millions on Thanksgiving morning motivates us every day.”

A person inflates a balloon in the shape of Goku in preparation for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and conclude around noon at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, which doubles as the main stage for performances. The event, which will proceed regardless of rain, has only been canceled three times in its history, from 1942 to 1944 during World War II.

Weather forecasts predict rain and moderate winds of about 10 mph (16 kph), falling well within the limits for safely flying the parade’s massive balloons. According to city regulations, balloons cannot fly if sustained winds exceed 23 mph (37 kph) or gusts surpass 35 mph (56 kph).

The celebration will be broadcast live on NBC with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, while streaming will be available on Peacock. A Spanish-language simulcast hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza will air on Telemundo.

This milestone event promises to honor a rich legacy while continuing to delight audiences nationwide.