macys thanksgiving day parade | It's Christmas 365

Cue the confetti!

The 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade steps off on Thanksgiving Day — Nov. 24!

This year, the parade kicks off at 8:45 a.m. at Central Park West and 77th Street in New York City.

In 2021, Macy’s estimated 2.5 million spectators lined the parade route.

And that’s nothing compared to screen views!

Macy’s estimates that more than 50 million viewers across broadcast and streaming watch the parade, making it one of the nation’s most viewed televised events each year.

2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, celebrities lineup

Cue the Confetti! The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns!

So, how can you watch the parade?

The parade will air from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

View the parade on your local NBC station or stream it on Peacock.

Celebrities and other acts in the parade include Paula Abdul, Gloria Estefan, Ziggy Marley, the cast of Peacock’s “Pitch Perfect,” Jordin Sparks, Dionne Warwick, Lea Michele and, of course, Santa Claus!

The “Today” show hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb will host the parade. Al Roker is also listed as a parade co-host, but NBC’s Dylan Dreyer said on air recently that she will help do some street coverage of the parade.

NBC has made no official statements on Roker’s role or Dreyer’s role.

First LGBTQ band to march in Macy’s Parade

The Queer Big Apple Corps Marching Band will become the first queer marching band to perform live at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

NBCUniversal will present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP).

The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the visuals of the parade.

Image: Macy’s Inc.

Let’s have a parade!

When the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marches through New York City on Nov. 24, the 96th iteration of this mega celebration will include three new — and very recognizable — floats.

Hot on the heels of its reincarnation, Toys R Us will debut Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party. America’s favorite giraffe will DJ a dance party to Herald Square.

A gigantic balloon art-looking Geoffrey will march alongside the float. Fun fact, Macy’s says, the inflatable costume will include two people inside!

This next float might be the best float since, well, sliced bread.

Wonder Bread will debut The Wondership, described as a “whimsical, one-of-a-kind airship float, which appears to be traveling high above fluffy clouds that mimic the brand’s iconic bread.”

As Wonder Bread celebrates 101 years, it has also teamed up with Feeding America to donate 10,000 loaves of its classic white bread to City Harvest, New York’s first and largest food rescue organization, this holiday season.

And, last but certainly not least, is Baby Shark!

That’s right, parents, Baby Shark will debut a float in the Macy’s Parade this year. Joining Baby Shark (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo) will be Mommy Shark (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo) and Daddy Shark (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo) and Grandma Shark (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo) and Grandpa Shark (doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo).

And, be sure to look out for the Baby Shark balloon flying above behind the float!

Check out these behind-the-scenes videos of the preparation it takes to get to Thanksgiving Day.

And, of course, the parade is FUN. But it’s also a great teaching tool. Check out these great resources to bring the science of the parade into your home or classroom.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide in the United States on NBC and stream on Peacock, on Thursday, Nov. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones.