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The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is fast approaching, promising a splendid spectacle that has captivated millions of viewers for nearly a century. As the parade commemorates its 97th year, it will once again weave its enchantment with a tapestry of fantastical floats, iconic balloons, and stellar performances along the route until it reaches the legendary 34th street in Manhattan.
In a parade renowned for its soaring balloons, this year’s lineup includes classics like Spongebob SquarePants, Ronald McDonald, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. However, it’s not just the familiar favorites that will grace the skies; exciting new balloons, including Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs, and Monkey D. Luffy, will make their dazzling debuts. The enduring popularity of Snoopy is exemplified by this being the 9th iteration of the beloved character in the parade, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beagle Scouts’ debut.
Enhancing the grandeur of the parade are six “balloonicles,” fascinating hybrid balloon vehicles that will roll along the route. As these captivating balloons and balloonicles take flight, the pageantry continues with 28 extraordinary floats, adorned with hand-sewn skirts, fringes, and a plethora of set pieces. At the forefront of this parade of creativity stands Santa’s Sleigh, the grandest float towering 3.5 stories tall and extending 60 feet in length.
Hosting the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are familiar faces from the Today show: Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, all returning to guide the audience through this Emmy Award-winning extravaganza. While Roker first graced the parade in 1995, alongside Willard Scott and Katie Couric, Guthrie and Kotb have carried on the tradition with their hosting roles since 2012 and 2018, respectively.
As for the musical delights that grace the parade, a star-studded lineup awaits, led by none other than the “Goddess of Pop” herself, Cher. Accompanying her are renowned artists like Jon Batiste, Brandy, Bell Biv DeVoe, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, and David Foster and Katharine McPhee. Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James Decker, Ashley Park, Pentatonix, Paul Russell, Amanda Shaw, and Alex Smith and Manuel Turizo add their melodic voices to the celebration. The parade also sees appearances by U.S. Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles and U.S. Paralympic gold medalist Jessica Long.
Amidst the musical extravaganza, Broadway’s finest talents will deliver show-stopping performances. Representing Broadway are productions such as & Juliet, Back to the Future: The Musical, How To Dance In Ohio, Shucked, and Spamalot, accompanied by appearances from Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells of “Gutenberg! The Musical!” An eagerly awaited reunion takes place with the iconic Radio City Rockettes, who will once again enchant with their mesmerizing routines.
The 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade introduces three new balloons: Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs, and Monkey D. Luffy. While Snoopy returns in a new form, the other two balloons mark their inaugural appearances, offering fresh spectacles for the crowd. Blue Cat & Chugs represents the transformation of a digital character into a real-life balloon, a pioneering first for the parade. Monkey D. Luffy, inspired by the acclaimed One Piece animated series, will ascend to the skies, standing 50 feet tall.
Parade-goers and television viewers alike will witness the unveiling of three new floats in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Igniting Memories float by Solo Stove features a cozy campsite atop a mountainous structure, complete with a custom-built RV. Brach’s Palace of Sweets showcases a colossal confection with a rotating candy Christmas tree and a giant gingerbread house adorned with candy cane trim. Warner Bros. Pictures’ The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka takes the parade into the world of Willy Wonka, offering a preview of the film “Wonka” with an abundance of prop candy.
Don’t miss the enchantment of the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, taking place on Thursday, November 24, 2023. While you can join the live audience in New York City to experience the grandeur firsthand, the parade will also be broadcast on NBC and Peacock from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones, allowing viewers around the world to partake in this iconic Thanksgiving tradition.