The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, originating in 1924, is an annual parade in New York City. This year, the Macy’s Day Parade celebrated their 98th anniversary!
The Macy’s Day Parade is infamous for its giant character balloons, creative floats and surprise celebrity appearances! An average of 3.5 million spectators gather on the parade route each year to view the parade in person, while another 30 million watch the live broadcast on television.
New Yorkers and vacationers wake up bright and early to secure a good spot on the sideline to watch the celebration!
The parade route stretches 2.5 miles and starts at West 77th Street and Central Park on the Upper West Side. Following 6th avenue across town, the parade concludes at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square on West 34th Street where live performances from dance teams, marching bands, and celebrities “wow” the audience.
Macy’s ideal Thanksgiving Parade takes place on a vibrant and sunny day, however, this year was anything but. Spectators and parade performers were met with temperatures in the low 40s and mild rain during the entirety of the parade. Thankfully, individuals performing in the parade did not let the dreary weather ruin the festivities!
I was lucky enough to be able to experience this famous parade first hand! Watching the parade from the sideline and being able to see some of my favorite celebrities was such a surreal experience! Leaving the hotel before the clock struck 5am, my family and I rushed to the parade route, where people were already fighting for spots along the fence. Luckily, we secured a front row seat to the festivities and got to enjoy a close up of the festivities!
Adrenaline was sky high as we watched all the amazing floats pass by! The low temperature and constant rain enhanced the chaos of the parade, but who doesn’t love some rain!
During the 2024 Thanksgiving Parade many celebrities delivered lively performances: TV Star Ariana Madix, hip-hop icon T-Pain, and Social Media Influencer Charli D’Amelio all showcased their jaw-dropping talents in front of Macy’s.
More of America’s trending musicians also performed during the parade. The stacked lineup of singers included Idina Menzel, Bishop Briggs, Chloe Bailey, Coco Jones, Dan + Shay, Dasha, Kylie Cantrall, Lea Salonga, and the Roots!
Other celebrities also made appearances during the festivities. Tonight Show Host Jimmy Fallon graced the parade with his comedic persona and Wicked’s Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo, spoke with Good Morning America’s Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie about Wicked and her recent endeavors.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a joy-filled celebration that allows excelling performers to get their turn in the spotlight! The Macy’s Parade will forever be remembered as one of America’s favorite celebrations!
