Macy’s parade balloons 2023
This year’s parade will feature new balloons.
Before America gets turnt on turkey and settles in to watch some football, all eyes turn to Manhattan during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The annual pageant of giant balloons, floats, cheerleaders, clowns, marching bands, Broadway performances and celebs is one of the best NYC events in November.
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When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Thanksgiving Day, of course! But we’ll spell it out for you: Thursday, November 23.
Where is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes over Manhattan on the holiday. It starts at 77th St and Central Park West and heads down to 34th Street to Macy's Herald Square. Here's the full route.
What time does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
For the first time in almost a century, the iconic event will start half-hour early in New York, at 8:30am in the morning, with a performance by Jon Batiste.
What’s the route of the parade?
There are 2.5 miles of public viewing. (Here's the full route). It kicks off at West 77th Street & Central Park West and flows down Central Park West before winding around Columbus Circle and onto Central Park South and Sixth Avenue. Finally, it files down Sixth Avenue to Macy’s Herald Square.
How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade:
Tune into NBC live from 8:30am to noon or stream it live on Peacock. Otherwise, get to the parade route very early to stake out your spot.
Who is performing during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Expect Broadway performances, live pop performances, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, nine performance groups and more.
Performers include Brandy, David Foster, Katharine McPhee, and Ashley Park with the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street. Cher will even perform a new holiday song on 34th Street!
What are some of the new balloons joining the parade?
See 16 character balloons, 26 floats, and 32 heritage/novelty balloons.
Several new balloons will join the parade, including Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs, and Monkey D. Luffy. The Snoopy balloon—measuring in at five stories tall—celebrates the 50th anniversary the Beagle Scouts and includes Woodstock perched on Snoopy's hat. Meanwhile, comic book characters Blue Cat & Chugs are making their parade debut in a very 2023 fashion; Cool Cats is the first ever NFT character turned into a parade balloon. Also look out for Monkey D. Luffy, the fearless leader of the Straw Hat Crew, from the acclaimed One Piece animated series. Here's more about this year's balloons.
If you want to get an early look at the balloons, check out the balloon inflation event on Wednesday, November 22, on the Upper West Side.
