Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 in NYC: Start time, balloons, performers and more

NEW YORK (WABC) — The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place in New York City on Thursday, November 28, with 22 floats, 39 balloons and celebrity appearances by the likes of T-Pain and Idina Menzel.

Millions of spectators will line the 2.5-mile parade route to watch the procession of floats and bands and the giant balloons.

The holiday tradition is started by actress Alison Brie.

The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. at West 77th Street and Central Park West, ending at Herald Square, home of Macy’s flagship store.

The best places to see are along Central Park West, between West 75th and West 61st Streets, and along Sixth Avenue, between West 59th and West 38th Streets.

Come early to claim the best seats.

SECURITY

Spectators should avoid bringing large bags, umbrellas, rucksacks and strollers.

2024 BALLOONS

There will be six new character balloons including Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah” with The Elf on the Shelf, “Gabby’s Dollhouse”, “Goku” and “Spider-Man”.

The “Gabby’s Dollhouse” float will include a 55-foot-tall (17-meter-tall) balloon featuring Gabby and Pandy Paws that will be 10 different shades of pink.

FLOORING

New floats include those from brands like Disney Cruise Line, Haribo, “Wednesday” from Netflix,” Universal Orlando Resorts and “The Grannies Car” from BBC Studios’ “Bluey.” Nickelodeon and Paramount’s “Dora the Explorer” will both have a float and a balloon.

A new float will highlight Rao’s food brand with a knight and dragon in battle made with real pasta elements.

FAMOUS PERFORMERS

An eclectic group of stars, including reality TV’s Ariana Madix, Broadway staple Idina Menzel and hip-hop’s T-Pain, headline the event.

Musical actors The War and Treaty, Lea Salonga, Kylie Cantrall, The Temptations, Chlöe, Charli D’Amelio, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Coco Jones, Walker Hayes, Rachel Platten, Bishop Briggs, Joey McIntyre, Natti Natasha and ballet dancers Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia will also perform.

Broadway will be represented by performances from “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Outsiders,” as well as the iconic Radio City Rockettes and “Riverdance” dancers.

Members of the New York Liberty, who won their first ever WNBA championship earlier this month, will march alongside their popular mascot, Ellie the Elephant.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

———-

* Get eyewitness news delivered

* More news from New York City

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If you attach a video or image, the terms of use apply.