Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 in New York

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of America's most popular and extravagant celebrations, drawing around 3 million spectators in person and 44 million viewers on television. The parade is renowned for its giant floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, clowns, and performances by renowned artists.

Parade Highlights

A standout feature of the Macy's Parade is its impressive balloons, which are typically full-sized and modeled after popular pop culture characters such as Snoopy (in eight versions), Ronald McDonald (in five versions), Popeye, Rocky and Bullwinkle, and Smokey Bear. The parade also showcases magnificent floats—elaborate, decorated platforms mounted on vehicles that often highlight celebrities and musicians. Past floats have celebrated themes from Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, the Care Bears, Barney & Friends, Delta Airlines, Animal Planet, Fisher-Price, Barbie, and M&M's, among others.

Schedule & Route

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off at 9 am from West 77th Street & Central Park West and finishes at noon in front of Macy's Herald Square.

Viewing Spots

This vibrant and colorful event is a must-see live at least once. The best viewing spots are along Central Park West and between West 59th and West 38th Streets along 6th Avenue. However, public viewing is restricted between West 34th and West 38th Streets, as well as on West 34th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, due to the national television broadcast. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as you'll likely encounter heavy foot traffic.

History of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The famous Thanksgiving Day Parade was originally known as the Christmas Day Parade. It first took place in 1924, featuring clowns, cowboys, and cartoon characters on imaginative floats alongside animals from Central Park Zoo. Over time, the event became a cherished tradition. In 1927, the parade introduced its first giant balloon, Felix the Cat, which made a notable appearance. However, the organizers allowed the balloon to drift away during the festivities.