Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images
Celebrating its 97th year, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is sure to entertain with the return of fantastical floats, star-studded performances andlarger-than-life balloonsthroughout the route until it concludes on Manhattan’s famed 34th street.
Whilefan-favorite inflationslike Spongebob SquarePants, Ronald McDonald and Diary of a Wimpy Kid are confirmed to take the sky once again, new balloons are slated to make their debut, too! Plus, six “balloonicles” (hybrid balloon vehicles) are also gearing up to roll along the route.
Joining them on wheels are the festive floats (28 to be exact) that are comprised of hundreds of different set pieces, structural elements and more than a ½ mile of hand-sewn skirt and fringe wrap each float in the parade. (Fun fact: Santa’s Sleigh — the biggest float in the parade — stands at 3.5 stories tall and 60 feet long!)
Here’s everything to know about the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — including how to watch, who’s performing and everything in between.
Who is hosting the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Savannah Guthrie,Hoda KotbandAl RokerofTodayare returning to host the Emmy Award-winning celebration. Roker first hosted the parade in 1995 alongside Willard Scott and Katie Couric, while Guthrie and Kotb first hosted in 2012 and 2018, respectively.
Who is performing in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Rockettes perform at the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Cara Howe/NBC
This year, the parade has another star-studded lineup — withCheras a headlining act. Joining the “Goddess of Pop” in the festivities are Grammy-winnerJon Batiste,Brandy,Bell Biv DeVoe, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN andDavid Foster and Katharine McPhee.
Making their anticipated return are the iconic Radio City Rockettes to round out the theatrics.
Will there be new balloons at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Charlie Brown Balloon is seen during the 90th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 24, 2016 in New York City.John Lamparski / Getty Images
Yes! This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature three new balloons: Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs and Monkey D. Luffy.
Snoopy is no stranger to the holiday event, however. In fact, this will mark the 9th version of the longest-running character balloon in the parade! Plus, it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the Beagle Scouts in Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip.
Making its parade debut is Blue Cat & Chugs, while simultaneously marking a major milestone in the event’s history! Cool Cats, a storytelling character brand with a community spanning the world, is the first-ever NFT character turned into a real-life parade balloon.
Lastly, Monkey D. Luffy — the fearless leader of the Straw Hat Crew, from the acclaimed One Piece animated series — is ready to make its ascent come Thanksgiving Day. This new balloon creation is painted with over 20 different colors and stands 50 feet tall (or as high as a 5-story building)!
Will there be new floats at the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Mariah Carey performs at the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.NBC
This year’s parade includes 28 floats, with three completely new additions: Solo Stove’s Igniting Memories float, Brach’s Palace of Sweets float and Warner Bros. Pictures' The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka float.
The Igniting Memories float centers around a Solo Stove Bonfire that’s perched atop a mountainous structure, replicating a warm and cozy campsite in the wilderness. A custom-built RV was made to fit atop the float with wheels, appearing as though it had been towed up to the campsite.
Brach’s Palace of Sweets is one colossal confection! Making its debut on Thanksgiving Day, this sugary structure features a rotating candy Christmas tree and a giant gingerbread house with candy cane trim. (Fun fact: The biggest candy cane on the float is 9,720 times larger than an actual Brach’s candy cane!)
Gearing up for the premiere ofWonkathis December, Warner Bros. Pictures is leveling up the excitement with the Wondrously Delectable World of Wonka float that will make its debut on Nov 23. this year. If there’s one float to go overboard on the sugar, it’s this one — featuring approximately 592,000 pieces of prop candy in the illuminated jars.
When is the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
89th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Getty Images/FilmMagic/Mireya Acierto
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. While anyone can head to N.Y.C. to watch the festivities live, the parade is also scheduled to air on NBC and Peacock from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.
source: people.com
