The 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will mark a significant milestone with a celebration planned for November 27. The event will feature performances by Megan Moroney, Teddy Swims, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, and Jojo.
The parade, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, will also include a tribute to Dolly Parton led by Megan Hilty and special appearances by Melissa Joan Hart, Jack McBrayer, Janet McTeer, Holly Robinson Peete, and Rodney Peete, who will precede Santa Claus.
Macy's has announced a lineup of 100 inflatables, a record for the parade, including characters like Bluey, Scooby-Doo, and Hello Kitty. New balloon additions for the centennial include Bluey, Buckaroo Bob the Minion, Earl the Squirrel, Hello Kitty Big Apple, Joe Cool & Woodstock from "Peanuts," Sorcerer’s Apprentice Mickey, Underdog, and a new balloonicle, Fuzzyeti’s Fur Wheel Drive by Levi’s. Macy’s Studios also created Billie Brightpaw, described as a cheerful bear.
New floats for this year's parade include Dashing All the Way with DoorDash; Hogwarts Holiday with HBO; Mr. Peanut Power Plant with Planters; Purina Dog Chow Salute to Service Dogs with Purina Dog Chow; Road Trip to Parade with GEICO; and Macy’s Tony Sarg’s Amazing Marionettes.
Iconic characters from past parades will also make appearances, such as Angry Birds’ Red, Arthur, Bugs Bunny, Bullwinkle J. Moose, Curious George, Adventure Time’s Finn & Jake, Jimmy Neutron, Popeye & Olive Oyl & Swee’Pea, Pink Panther, Poppy from “Trolls,” Scooby-Doo, Sonic the Hedgehog, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Wild Thing.
Preceding the parade, a new documentary titled “America’s Parade: 100 Years of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” will air on NBC on November 20 and stream on Peacock the following day. The film aims to celebrate the history, artistry, and imagination behind the tradition, incorporating archival footage and interviews with past performers.
Returning to host the broadcast on NBC and Peacock are Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker from the “Today” show. A Spanish-language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Andrea Meza, Aleyda Ortiz, and Clovis Nienow.
Macy's chief marketing officer, Sharon Otterman, stated in a release, "For our 100th parade, we’re creating a celebration of unprecedented scale and will deliver an unforgettable Thanksgiving for millions across the country.”
Marching bands will represent schools from Indiana, Tennessee, South Carolina, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, Connecticut, and Illinois, alongside the New York Police Department Marching Band and Macy’s Great American Marching Band. Performance groups include the Maria Verdeja School of the Arts, The Divine Nine Unity Step Team, Native Pride Productions, Spirit of America Cheer, and Spirit of America Dance.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first debuted in 1924 and has become an annual holiday tradition, with a brief hiatus during World War II.