The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the Thanksgiving holiday and kicks off the Christmas season. Here's when and how to watch it.
Everything to Know About the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024
About to observe its 98th celebration, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American institution. Known for its high-flying balloons, intricately designed floats, A-list celebrity performances and marching band beats, it’s must-see TV for families across the United States. Considering it is so steeped in history and nostalgia, it’s no surprise there’s a rich backstory to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. After all, the greats always have an origin story, and the parade is no exception.
As its name suggests, the parade occurs on Thanksgiving Day. While you’re engaging in your favorite traditions and sharing some Thanksgiving quotes around the dinner table, a marching band is leading the charge down the streets of New York City. So, when you set out to impress your tablemates this year, don’t simply share details about the real history of Thanksgiving. Casually drop tidbits about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, too.
If you’re wondering how to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the specific time it starts, keep reading below for all of the event details!
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What’s the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was originally established as a promotional tool for the iconic department store. Back in 1924 (the year of the first parade), Macy’s was unveiling its newly renovated flagship location in Manhattan’s famed Herald Square. The store was so enormous, so dazzling, that apparently it warranted a holiday spectacle to alert the masses. Who knew that it would end up becoming a beloved holiday tradition?
Keep in mind that the original event didn’t look exactly like it does today. In fact, the inaugural parade didn’t mention Thanksgiving at all.
That first parade was all about Christmas, which was probably a smart marketing move on the part of Macy’s. It was a not-so-subtle reminder that the gift-giving holiday was just around the corner. Of course, now there are even stores open on Thanksgiving so shoppers have an even earlier chance to hand over their money.
What did the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade look like?
On November 27, 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off at the corner of 145th Street and Convent Avenue to the delight of spectators.
The very first floats had a Mother Goose-like theme, with characters like Little Miss Muffet and Little Red Riding Hood gracing the attractions. Zoo animals—think elephants, tigers and camels—marched the streets. And Macy’s employees dressed up as clowns and other characters to entertain the folks who lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the excitement.
Interestingly, we wouldn’t see the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon for three years. In 1927, the parade took to the skies, with Felix the Cat as the first balloon to travel the route. It’s gotten bigger and better ever since (though it took a brief hiatus during World War II).
When is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024?
Time to get in the mood with some Thanksgiving quotes. because the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is on the same day as Thanksgiving, on Thursday, Nov. 28.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
In 2024, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will start at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, with its grand finale hovering around noon. That’s the case for all time zones, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting your schedule for East Coast time.
The last person to grace the parade route, of course, is always Santa Claus to usher in the Christmas season. With that being said, NBC often provides televised coverage on The Today Show before the event gets underway because many of the show’s anchors host the parade.
Those early outdoor mornings are typically chilly ones. On average, the temperature in New York City is in the low 40s so early in the morning. Thankfully, it tends to warm up as the parade gets underway. In 1941, when the parade was in its 17th year, the Big Apple experienced its warmest-ever Thanksgiving with a high of 72 degrees. Talk about a reason to be thankful!
How long is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The duration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade depends on where you view it from. However, the parade is set to be three to four hours long.
Where is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 route?
While the first parade started in Harlem at 145th and Convent and ended at Macy’s in Herald Square (located at 151 West 34th Street), that’s no longer the case. Today, the procession takes a different approach.
While the 2024 route hasn’t been officially announced, there’s a good chance it’ll follow in the footsteps of past parades. The kickoff typically convenes at 77th Street and Central Park West.
The parade then hangs a left when it reaches 59th Street, followed by a right down 6th Avenue. From there, the balloons, floats and performers stay on course until they reach 34th Street. That mark requires another right turn until they wrap the whole shebang up at 34th Street and 7th Avenue.
Whew! We’re tired just thinking about those 2.65 miles of walking, dancing and floating (those balloons have it easy). At least the route is shorter than it used to be. At its inception, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade traveled a whopping six miles from start to finish. That’s 111 city blocks!
How do I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
If you’re a true parade lover, the most exciting way to watch the event is to be there in person. It’s recommended that spectators arrive at the route no later than 6:30 a.m. to secure a decent spot. This is definitely an instance where the early bird catches the worm.
Not in the New York City area? Well, grab a cup of coffee (or steal a slice of pumpkin pie), listen to a few Thanksgiving songs and curl up in front of your TV because you’ll actually get the best viewing angle from the comfort of your own home.
You can watch the parade broadcast on NBC (check your local listings for the channel number), NBC’s website and the NBC app. A fun piece of Thanksgiving trivia: The parade has been airing on NBC since 1948. In past years, CBS has also broadcast parade coverage.
No cable? No problem. Streaming the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is possible, but live streams do vary by area, so you’ll want to check with the provider you use to make sure you can catch it on your favorite service. In the past, the parade has been available on DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV. Keep an eye out for 2024 details as the holiday nears!
Has it ever snowed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Yes, it has snowed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In fact, Central Park received 4.7 inches of snow in 1989. This didn’t deter people from attending, however, as there were more than 1.8 million spectators watching the event happen in-person live.
What went wrong at the 1997 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
There were multiple mishaps at the 71st Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1997. The event was held on Nov. 27, a windy day that led to a Cat in the Hat balloon colliding with a lamppost. It not only knocked off the balloon’s arms, but it also sent a spectator into a month-long coma. And that wasn’t all: The Barney balloon was damaged and had to be removed at 51st Street, along with the The Pink Panther balloon being scrapped at 42d Street.
But, don’t let this deter you from attending the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2024! While the weather may be chilly, it’s sure to be a fun time.
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Sources:
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Spectrum News NY1: “NYC’s Warmest Thanksgiving That Never Happened”
- NYC Tourist: “Past Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Route Map”
- Lifewire: “How to Live Stream Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (2024)”
- CNN Travel: “The most infamous balloon mishaps from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
- Accu Weather: “4 weather conditions that can throw a wrench in iconic parades”
