The 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is officially underway in New York City, filling the streets of Manhattan with giant balloons, marching bands, and floats.
The festivities kicked off at 8:30 a.m. ET, and the procession is currently making its way south from the Upper West Side toward Herald Square. If you are just tuning in, there is still plenty of action to catch before Santa Claus closes out the event at noon.
Here is everything you need to know about the parade at this hour, including how to watch live, the current weather conditions, and the lineup of performers still to come.
What is happening right now?
As of 9:45 a.m. ET, the parade is in full swing.
- The Opener: The broadcast began with a show-stopping opening number by Cynthia Erivo, star of the upcoming film Wicked: For Good, setting the stage for the holiday celebration.
- On the Route: The iconic Tom Turkey float has already led the march. Spectators along Sixth Avenue are currently getting their first looks at this year’s massive balloon lineup.
- Weather Update: It is a chilly morning in New York City. While forecasts earlier in the week threatened rain, the skies are currently holding up, though conditions remain cold and windy. Winds are being monitored closely by the NYPD to ensure the giant balloons can fly safely at their scheduled heights.
How to watch the parade live
If you aren’t in New York City, you can still catch the remainder of the live broadcast.
- TV Channel: The parade is airing live on NBC and Telemundo (in Spanish).
- Streaming: You can stream the event live on Peacock.
- Time: The live broadcast runs until 12:00 p.m. ET.
- Encore: If you miss the live showing, NBC will air an encore presentation this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. ET.
New Balloons and Floats to Watch For
This year’s lineup features several debuts that are currently making their way down the 2.5-mile route. Keep an eye out for these new additions:
- New Balloons:
- Minnie Mouse (a new version for the 99th parade)
- Spider-Man (returning favorite)
- Goku
- Buzz Lightyear
- Marshall from PAW Patrol
- New Floats:
- The Candy Cosmos by Haribo
- Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest by Nickelodeon
- Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line
Performers Lineup
The entertainment is continuous throughout the morning. While Cynthia Erivo opened the show, the following stars are expected to perform (or have just performed) on the floats or at the Herald Square finale:
- Lainey Wilson
- Busta Rhymes
- Ciara
- Kylie Minogue
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Idina Menzel
- The Radio City Rockettes (Celebrating their 100th Anniversary)
The Parade Route
The procession follows its traditional 2.5-mile course:
- Start: West 77th Street and Central Park West.
- Central Park West: The parade marches south to Columbus Circle.
- Turn: It turns onto Central Park South, then heads south down Sixth Avenue.
- Finish: The parade makes its final turn on 34th Street, ending in front of Macy’s Herald Square.
When does Santa arrive?
As tradition dictates, Santa Claus will be the final arrival of the parade, ushering in the Christmas season. He is scheduled to arrive at Macy’s Herald Square just before 12:00 p.m. ET.