Look, it might be windy on Thanksgiving -- so windy that the big character balloons might not fly in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade -- but there will still be a parade! With Celine Dion and Billy Porter!
An estimated 3.5 million spectators will line the 2.5-mile route, awaiting 26 floats; at least 40 novelty and specialty balloons (if the 16 big character balloons get the green light, great!); 11 marching bands; 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers (like the Rockettes); and more than 1,100 clowns. Plus Santa Claus, who will closes out the parade.
The parade begins at 9 a.m., at 77th Street and Central Park West, making its way to Central Park South and then down to 34th Street.
The casts of some Broadway musicals, like Ain't Too Proud, Hadestown, Beetlejuice and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical will perform their hits. There are also other celebrities—here's the rundown from Macy;'s: "Ashanti, Black Eyed Peas, Chicago, Ciara, Josh Dela Cruz, Celine Dion, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Debbie Gibson, former NASA Astronauts Kay Hire & Janet Kavandi, Chris Janson, Idina Menzel, Lea Michele, Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, NHL Legends Dominic Moore and Eddie Olczyk, the cast & Muppets of Sesame Street, NCT 127, Ozuna, Billy Porter, Kelly Rowland, That Girl Lay Lay, TLC, Tenille Townes, and Chris Young." And did you know Snuffy can dance?
There are also many street closures:
Formation for the parade will begin at 8 a.m. at the following locations:
- West 77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- West 81st Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
- Central Park West between West 77th and 86th Streets
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. from Central Park West and West 77th Street and proceed on the following route:
- South on Central Park West to Columbus Circle
- South through E/S Columbus Circle to West 59th Street
- East on West 59th Street to 6th Avenue
- South on 6th Avenue to West 34th Street
- West on West 34th Street to 7th Avenue (dispersal area)
Additional closures are as follows:
- Broadway between West 34th Street and West 40th Street- Midnight to 1 p.m.
- 6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 42nd Street – 2 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- 7th Avenue from West 34th Street and West 42nd Street - 2 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- West 34th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 10 p.m. (Wed) to 5 p.m.
- West 59th Street E/B between 7th Avenue and Central Park West – Midnight to 2 p.m.
- West 59th Street W/B between 5th Avenue and Central Park West – 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 35th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- West 36th Street between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue - 2 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 37th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 38th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 8th Avenue between 34th Street and 40th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Broadway between 38th Street and 59th Street - 4 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- West 33rd Street between 7th Avenue and 10th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 39th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 40th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 49th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- West 50th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Central Park 65th Street/ West 66th Street Transverse Roads 7 a.m. until conclusion
Please note: From 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. vehicles will not be able to access:
- 6th Avenue between West 33rd and West 59th Street
- 8th Avenue between West 57th Street and West 59th Street
- 8th Avenue between West 33rd and West 40th Streets
- Broadway between West 59th Street and West 57th Street
- Broadway between West 34th and West 40th Streets (only escorted deliveries)
- West 42nd Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
- West 57th Street between 5th and 8th Avenue
If you choose not to brave the winds and the crowds, the parade will be broadcast on NBC at 9 a.m. EST.
