Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: Tickets, Lineup and What to Know
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is returning for its annual event on Nov. 23, coinciding with Thanksgiving morning as usual.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the second-oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the U.S. right after America’s Thanksgiving Parade held in Detroit. Macy’s Parade began in 1924, and its first audience gathered more than 250,000 people. The first parade was barely covered by the press, but after seeing the massive crowd, Macy’s decided it was such a success it should continue annually.
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Ahead of the 2023 parade, WWD has rounded up a what-to-know guide for this year’s parade.
What is the route for this year’s parade?
The parade will kick off on West 77th Street and Central Park West. It goes through Central Park West, Columbus Circle, Central Park South, Sixth Avenue and finally ends at Macy’s Herald Square Flagship on 34th Street.
What is the lineup for this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
While all balloon and float elements for the 2023 Parade will be announced on Nov. 1, new additions include Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs and Luffy for One Piece for balloons and Wonka and Solo Stove for new floats.
Performers for this year’s event will also be announced on Nov. 1.
How can I attend the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Viewing starts at 75th Street, two blocks south of the start of the parade, and is only open to the public on the west side of the street. The east side of the street along Central Park is closed off for the grandstand seats. Unfortunately, tickets for grandstand seats aren’t for sale.
Can I watch the parade if I’m not attending in person?
The 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving parade will air nationwide on NBC from 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. Telemundo will simulcast the parade in Spanish. The parade will also be livestreamed on the Peacock app. Peacock plans start at $5.99 a month with ads.
What are some historical fun facts about the parade?
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was in 1924 and was produced by Macy’s employees.
This year, Macy’s is celebrating its 98th Thanksgiving Day Parade. Due to World War II, the Parade was cancelled in 1942, 1943 and 1944.
The Macy’s Studios team, featuring painters, carpenters, animators, sculptors, welders, scenic designers, costume designers, electricians and engineers, who spend more than 8,000 hours preparing for each Parade.
A Parade float takes approximately four months to construct (with added time for ideation and design.) If the Macy’s Studios team were to start from scratch and build all of floats that will appear in the 2023 Parade, it would take eight years.
Santa Claus has closed the Macy’s Parade every year with the exception of 1932, the only year in which he led the official Parade march.
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