Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to be back in full after pandemic limits
Balloons, floats, marching bands and spectators enjoyed mild weather at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year. Credit: David Handschuh
With new balloons flying over Manhattan, more than 3.5 million spectators lining the streets and performers including the cast of the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” nothing is predicted to rain on this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The parade is expected to return in full force this year after fans faced some COVID-19 restrictions last year, including proof of vaccination and a prohibition on children marching.
This year’s parade is expected to draw about a million more people this year, matching 2019’s pre-pandemic levels, as well as pull in a television audience of 50 million people. It should be a return to normalcy after the 2020 parade was only televised without spectators.
“This November, as we once again set the stage for the start of the holiday season, we are thrilled to showcase another spectacle full of magic and wonder that will help create everlasting memories with loved ones during this special time of year," Will Coss, executive producer of the parade, said in a news release.
WHAT TO KNOW
- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West at 8:45 a.m. and ends at the Macy's store at Herald Square.
- Some 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, a dozen marching bands and 20 performance groups are scheduled to participate.
- A national television broadcast on NBC will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
This year’s lineup includes 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, a dozen marching bands and 20 performance groups.
New balloons this year include the Australian pup Bluey, Stuart the Minion, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, new Sinclair Oil Dino balloons and Striker, the Fox Sports U.S. soccer star.
Floats will feature themes with the Muppets of Sesame Street, Baby Shark and Blue’s Clues, with performers such as Paula Abdul, Long Island resident Jimmy Fallon and "Tonight Show" house band The Roots, Gloria Estefan, Mario Lopez, Fitz and the Tantrums, Ziggy Marley, Dionne Warwick and Jordin Sparks.
The parade will also feature interludes of performances in front of Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. "Funny Girl" lead actor Lea Michelle is expected to sing a song from the Broadway musical. The Broadway casts of "The Lion King," "Some Like it Hot" and "A Beautiful Noise," along with the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will also perform.
Of course, Santa Claus will end the parade to kick off the official start of the holiday season.
The parade begins at 8:45 a.m. Its 2.5-mile route starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, goes south to Columbus Circle, maneuvers to Sixth Avenue where it proceeds down to 34th Street, and ends at the Macy's store at Herald Square. The parade will be broadcast nationally from 9 a.m. to noon on NBC.
The NYPD has not yet detailed its preparation, but security is expected to be tight. No large backpacks, umbrellas, coolers or alcoholic beverages are allowed, according to the NYPD.
Parade organizers are urging spectators to take mass transit such as the LIRR or subway into Manhattan.
This year, the LIRR has added six extra trains heading out of Long Island into Penn Station in the morning. An additional 11 trains will depart Penn Station for Long Island, between 11 a.m. and 1:35 p.m., MTA officials announced.
Street closures are planned along Central Park West and various streets through midtown south of the park from 59th Street to 34th Street.
Spectators can begin lining up at 6 a.m. on the west side of Central Park West from West 75th Street to West 61st Street. Organizers said that may be one of the best stretches to watch the parade, but caution that no public viewing will be allowed at Columbus Circle or on Central Park West between West 60th and West 59th streets.
Great views are also possible between West 59th to West 38th streets, organizers said. Paradegoers should avoid Sixth Avenue between 38th and 34th streets and 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, which is reserved for the nationally televised broadcast. Macy’s grandstand tickets are not for sale.
The parade ends at Herald Square, which will also be closed to parade visitors.
Viewing of the balloons being inflated begins Wednesday from noon to 6 p.m. in Central Park at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue. The event is free to the public and spectators can line up at noon beginning at 72nd Street and Central Park West, with the balloon viewing path outside the American Museum of Natural History.
Street closures for the inflation will begin at 8 a.m. Wednesday and will end after 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
The route of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Credit: Andrew Wong
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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