New York is a town that celebrates everything. It celebrates so much so that we even have a Canyon of Heroes which has over 200 black granite plaques that commemorate and list every single ticker tape parade in New York City. It’s a place where any excuse is a reason to party. Especially during the holidays. That is nearly in full effect now and kicks off with one of the world’s most famous parades – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade in New York City which is hosted and presented by the department store chain Macy’s. The Parade first took place in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States with America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit (with both parades being four years younger than Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade). The three-hour parade is held in Manhattan, ending outside Macy’s Herald Square, and takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thanksgiving Day, and it has been televised nationally on NBC since 1953. The Parade’s workforce is made up of Macy’s employees and their friends and family, all of whom work as volunteers.
It’s a celebration like no other and unofficially kicks off the holiday season. The cherished celebration is returning for its 96th edition this year with 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 12 marching bands, star-studded performances and appearances, the Radio City Rockettes and, of course, Santa Claus. Old Saint Nicholas ends the parade and ushers in the shopping season!
The parade begins at 77th Street and Central Park West, then travels downtown to Central Park South (59th Street). It then heads east to Sixth Avenue, and south along Sixth Avenue to 34th Street. If you can’t handle the cold and crowds, stay home and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV! Either way, it’s a party for people to enjoy near and far. And, if you’re up for it, check out the balloons being blown up the night before! We can’t wait to kick off the season!
For more information, visit https://www.macys.com/social/parade/