What channel is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on? How to watch 2024 parade

It’s time for one of America’s favorite Thanksgiving morning traditions: flipping on the television to watch the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and spot your favorite balloon.
A fun fact: The parade was started in 1924, but it’s not celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The parade was skipped in 1942, 1943 and 1944 so materials, such as the rubber, could be dedicated to war efforts.
This year’s lineup is slated to showcase 22 floats, 17 character balloons, 15 heritage or novelty balloons and more than 700 clowns, according to NBC, which broadcasts the event. The event will also feature performances by several music stars along with 11 marching bands and 10 performance groups, with renowned choreographer Shay Latukolan choreographing dance performances for Tom Turkey and Santa Claus, and three featured floats.
Here’s what you need to know about this year’s parade including where to watch and which balloons to look out for.
What time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. and will run for a full 3 ½ hours until noon.
The parade route begins on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and ends at Macy’s flagship store at Herald Square in New York City.
How to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade
Handlers pull the Chase from Paw Patrol balloon through Columbus Circle in Manhattan during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov. 22, 2018. Thousands of spectators lined the parade route despite freezing temperatures. Concerns that high winds could ground the balloons proved unfounded.
The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be telecast on NBC from 8:30 a.m. to Noon in all time zones on Thursday, Nov. 28. The event will also simulstream on Peacock and Fubo subscribers will also be able to watch it. An encore on NBC will follow at 2 p.m. ET/PT.
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC’s “Today” show will return as telecast hosts.
To create a more inclusive experience for visually impaired viewers, NBC will present the full broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. The broadcast will be available with additional audio narration describing the visuals of the Parade, according to NBC.
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New 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade balloons
While the annual parade will feature 17 character balloons and 15 heritage or novelty balloons, this year’s edition will debut six new featured balloons, including:
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Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf
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Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse
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New floats at the 2024 Thanksgiving Day Parade
Six new floats will also debut during the 2024 parade including:
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Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon & Paramount
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Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line
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Pasta Knight by Rao’s Homemade
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Wednesday’s Feast by Netflix
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Wondrous World of Wildlife by Bronx Zoo (The Bronx Zoo is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year)
More: Seacoast restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinner in 2024 listed here
Who will perform at 2024 Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The following stars are listed to perform at this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
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Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: Start time, channel, performers