The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade continues to be a hallmark of holiday festivities, celebrating its 99th year in 2024. This iconic event, drawing in approximately 31.3 million viewers from digital platforms, sets the tone for the holiday season each year. Excitement mounts as the parade unveils new floats and balloons, keeping the tradition vibrant and engaging.
2024 Parade Highlights: New Floats and Balloons
This year, the parade will feature a total of 32 balloons, including five character inflatables making their debut. In addition, attendees can expect 27 floats, 33 clown groups, 11 marching bands, and 26 musical performances.
New Floats Making Their Debut
- Friends-giving in POPCITY Float: Created by Pop Mart, this float includes characters like Labubu, Skullpanda, and Peach, set against a festive city skyline.
- Upside Down Invasion Float: Inspired by Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” featuring the Hawkins National Laboratory and a massive Demogorgon puppet.
- Brick-tastic Winter Mountain Float: LEGO’s new float showcases a snowy mountain scene complete with a skier and Arctic animals, representing their retiring float.
- The Land of Glaciers, Wildlife & Wonder Float: Celebrating Holland America Line’s 80th anniversary, this float features Alaska’s natural beauty, including wildlife and glaciers.
- Master Chocolatier Ballroom Float: Lindt Chocolate presents a grand ballroom themed float decorated with chocolate-inspired adornments.
- The Littlest Float: This charming float by Goldfish is just under 8 inches tall, pulled by a remote-controlled truck.
- The Counting Sheep’s Dream Generator Float: Serta’s float features sheep characters surrounded by a dreamy scenery complete with stars and clouds.
New Balloon Characters
Along with impressive floats, five new balloon characters will enliven the skies during the parade:
- Buzz Lightyear from Pixar Animation Studios
- PAC-MAN by Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Inc.
- Shrek’s Onion Carriage from Universal Pictures’ DreamWorks Animation
- Mario from Nintendo
- Derpy Tiger from Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters”
Additionally, a balloonicle version of Sussie from “K-Pop Demon Hunters” will make an appearance, driven through the parade.
Event Details
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to commence at 8:30 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 27, 2024. Broadcasting will be available on NBC and streaming on platforms like Peacock and Fubo.
This year’s parade promises to deliver a memorable experience filled with magic, creativity, and a celebration of pop culture, as it has for nearly a century.
