The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Live Updates About New Floats, Celebrity Performers and More from N.Y.C.

Don’t Rain on My Parade

12 minutes ago

Copy The Link To This Blog Post

Inclement weather is plaguing New York City as the parade prepares to kick off, with low temperatures of 46 degrees and on-and-off rain.

Of course, temperatures in the 40s are nowhere near as cold as they’ve been, historically. In 2018, temperatures were 19 degrees Fahrenheit, one of the coldest turkey days on record for the city — and for the parade performers.

Ahead of the parade, a Macy’s spokesperson told The New York Post that the balloons only wouldn’t fly “if there are sustained winds at about 23 miles an hour.” Thursday’s wind speeds are expected to reach 9 mph, so the balloons are good to go.

What’s It Like to Walk in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? PEOPLE Tried It!

2 hr 31 min ago

Copy The Link To This Blog Post

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be one of the lucky people to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? PEOPLE tried it back in 2021, and had a blast (despite the cold and early start time).

PEOPLE’s Skyler Caruso served as an escort for NBC’s Peacock float that year and documented the journey around the city on bus and on foot, which all kicked off at 6 a.m. EST.

“While we jumped, skipped and danced for the crowd, we were greeted with selfies, cheers and iPhone cameras in response. Seeing the joyful reaction on everyone’s faces, from both children and adults alike, is what makes this experience so unforgettable,” wrote Caruso.

Read about her experience here.

Fun Facts about the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

2 hr 31 min ago

Copy The Link To This Blog Post

The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a long-held tradition in New York City — the first Macy’s parade was held in 1924. At the time, it was much less elaborate than modern editions: a group of animals from the Central Park Zoo marched down a street in Harlem accompanied by a very special group of people: A handful of immigrant Macy’s employees who wanted to express how thankful they were for living in the United States that year.

The first balloon didn’t join the parade until 1927 — Felix the Cat — and since has been joined by many other helium friends. This year’s parade has 22 balloons.

For more on the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, click here.

Who Is Performing in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

2 hr 31 min ago

Copy The Link To This Blog Post

As is tradition, many of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats in 2024 will feature special celebrity performers, singing their hits — or classics — along the Manhattan parade route. This year’s slate includes stars like Idina Menzel, who will top the Bronx Zoo’s float; Chloë Bailey, who is appearing on the Toys “R” Us float; and The Temptations, who are joining the parade from the Wonder float.

Here’s the full list of other celebrities performing or making an appearance.

• Alex Warren
• Ariana Madix
• Bishop Briggs
• Charlie D’Amelio
• Coco Jones
• Cole Escola
• Dan + Shay
• Dasha
• Jennifer Hudson
• Jimmy Fallon & The Roots
• Joey McIntyre
• Kylie Cantrell
• Kylie Minogue
• Lea Salonga
• Liza Colón-Zayas
• Loud Luxury
• Natti Natasha
• New York Liberty and Ellie the Elephant
• Rachel Platten
• Roman Mejia
• Sebastián Yatra
• Tiler Peck
• T-Pain
• Walker Hayes
• The War and Treaty