Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Where to watch and what to know

Samantha Neely, Fort Myers News-Press
·4 min read

Only three weeks until the top Thanksgiving tradition returns to really float our boats.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is returning for its 97th edition this year, complete with celebrities, Santa Claus and Cher.

The parade will have a total of 25 balloons, 6 balloonicles (balloon-based vehicles), 30 floats, 9 marching bands, 29 clown crews, and 5 performance groups.

"For nearly 100 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been synonymous with the beginning of the holiday season, celebration and togetherness,” Will Coss, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, said in a statement. “Our talented team of Macy’s Studios artisans and production specialists work year-round to deliver the nation’s most beloved holiday event, live on Thanksgiving morning."

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Where and when is the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade?

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Thursday, Nov. 24 on West 77th Street and Central Park West in New York City. The parade route is 2.5 miles and ends at Macy’s Herald Square.

Who is hosting the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC's "Today" show are returning to host the parade.

Where can I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade?

You'll have to rise a little earlier this year to watch the parade. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is scheduled to air on NBC, a half hour earlier than in the past, from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones.

Where can I watch Macy's Thanksgiving Parade if I don't have cable?

For those without cable, you can also stream the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Peacock.

Will any Florida school be marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade?

Marjory Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment High School Marching Band from Parkland will be performing at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.

"We're gearing up to do the biggest thing this school has ever seen," Band Director Steve Rivero told CBS News. "This is considered the biggest marching band stage to ever play on."

Additionally, three band directors from Southwest Florida have been selected to join 400 band directors nationwide to participate in the parade. NBC 2 wrote that Jose Lopez, Kay Dubbert, and Thomas Dubbert will represent music instructors from all around SWFL.

Who are the celebrities on top of floats this year?

US singer and actress Cher poses during a photocall ahead of the Balmain show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024, in Paris on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33WW4CU.jpg
US singer and actress Cher poses during a photocall ahead of the Balmain show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024, in Paris on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP) (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: AFP_33WW4CU.jpg

Oscar, Emmy and Grammy Award winner Cher will headline the parade this year, making her appearance just before the parade’s end with the arrival of Santa’s sleigh. As for the rest of the celebrities and performers joining the parade, here's the lineup of as of Nov. 3:

  • Jon Batiste

  • Bell Biv DeVoe

  • Brandy

  • U.S. Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles

  • En Vogue

  • ENHYPEN

  • Chicago

  • U.S. Paralympian Ezra Frech

  • David Foster and Katharine McPhee

  • Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors

  • Jessie James Decker

  • U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalist Jessica Long

  • Ashley Park

  • Pentatonix

  • Paul Russell

  • Amanda Shaw and Alex Smith

  • Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke

  • Manuel Turizo

TV viewers will enjoy performances from Broadway shows, such as:

  • "& Juliet"

  • "Back to the Future: The Musical"

  • "How To Dance In Ohio"

  • "Shucked"

  • "Spamalot"

  • Performance from "Gutenberg! The Musical!"'s Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells

What is the balloon lineup for the Thanksgiving Parade 2023?

Fan favorites are returning to the parade, such as:

  • Acorn

  • Bluey

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid

  • Goku

  • Grogu

  • Ice Cream Cone

  • Opening Macy's Stars

  • Paw Patrol

  • Pikachu and Eevee

  • Pumpkins

  • Red Titan from Ryan's World

  • Ronald McDonald

  • Sinclair's Dino

  • Smokey Bear

  • Snow Crystal Ornaments

  • Spongebob and Gary

  • Stuart the Minion

  • Tip Toe

Additionally, seven new character balloons will make their parade debut, including:

  • Beagle Scout Snoopy

  • Blue Cat & Chugs

  • "Kung Fu Panda's" Po

  • Netflix's "Leo

  • Monkey D. Luffy

  • the Pillsbury Doughboy

  • Uncle Dan

Will there be any new floats for this year's Thanksgiving Parade?

This year's parade includes 30 floats, with five new additions:

  • Igniting Memories float

  • Palace of Sweets float

  • The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka float

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

  • Campy Snoopy

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Macy's parade 2023: Everything to know for the Thanksgiving tradition