NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, an iconic American tradition, made its debut on November 27, 1924.
Originally called the Macy’s Christmas Parade, the event was created by Macy’s employees to celebrate the holiday season, promote the department store’s brand-new location, and boost holiday sales, according to the Library of Congress.
The first parade included a lively lineup of floats, performances, and even animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo, delighting spectators along the route. The event was an immediate success, drawing crowds eager to kick off the festive season.
Balloons were introduced in 1927, with Felix the Cat having the honor of being the first parade balloon.
What began as a creative marketing idea has evolved into one of the nation’s most beloved holiday celebrations, featuring giant balloons, star-studded performances, and millions of viewers each year.
For the second year in a row, the Nov. 28 parade starts at 8:30 a.m., in all time zones.
It will be on NBC, available with an antenna or through cable and satellite providers.
For cord cutters, the parade is being simulcast on Peacock and an encore telecast begins at 2 p.m. EST/PST. A Spanish language simulcast will also be on Telemundo.
This year is starrier than ever. Grammy-, Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony-winner Jennifer Hudson will perform, as will global pop icon and Grammy-winner Kylie Minogue and Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy winner Billy Porter.
Reality TV’s Ariana Madix, Broadway belter Idina Menzel, hip-hop’s T-Pain, members of the WNBA champions New York Liberty and country duo Dan + Shay will be featured. Other music performers include The War and Treaty, Lea Salonga, Loud Luxury, The Temptations, Chlöe, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots and Coco Jones. It will kick off with “Glow” actor Alison Brie cutting the ribbon.
For those watching on TV or computers, there will be the trio of hosting stalwarts — Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker from “Today.” But this year might be more emotional since it could be Kotb's last — her last official day at “Today” will be Jan. 10.
There will be six new featured character balloons, including Minnie Mouse, “Extraordinary Noorah” with The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” Goku from ”Dragon Ball," Marshall from "Paw Patrol" and a new “Spider-Man.”
New floats include ones 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 have both a float and a balloon. One new float will spotlight the Rao’s food brand, featuring a knight and a dragon in battle made with actual pasta elements. Another will celebrate The Bronx Zoo's 125th anniversary with representations of a tiger, a giraffe, a zebra and a gorilla.
The marching bands will hail from several states including Georgia, Massachusetts, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas, South Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia and, naturally, New York. Metro Atlanta's very own Jonesboro High School band will also perform in the parade.