It’s not Thanksgiving until a giant Snoopy balloon careens down the streets of New York City! While some people begin planning months in advance to make sure they have the best in-person view of the floats, marching bands, Broadway performances, and — of course — Santa Claus, others are just as excited to watch the festivities from their living rooms while wearing their jammies and stuffing their faces with freshly baked cinnamon buns.

No matter which one you are, we have all the details on 2022’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so you won’t miss a second of the wholesome action.

How to Watch

On TV or Online
This year’s event kicks off at 9 am ET on Thursday, November 24, and runs until noon. If you’re watching on TV, it will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock. The parade broadcast will re-air from 9 am to 12 pm in CT and PT as well.

In-Person
If you’re trying to catch the event in person, you’ll have to hunker down along the parade route, which starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West, marches down Central Park West to 59th Street, then heads east to 6th Avenue before going south along 6th Avenue until it reaches the infamous Macy’s department store at Herald Square.

Pro-Tip: Head to the streets surrounding the American Museum of Natural History to see the balloons come to life. You can witness the inflation of the iconic parade balloons on the eve of Thanksgiving on Wednesday, November 23.

Performances

Big Apple Circus
Witness astonishing wonders and daring acrobatics from performers with incredible real-life stories. The Big Apple Circus is a crowd-pleaser for anyone watching in-person or at home.

Spirit of America Dance Stars
A part of the parade since 1986, the Spirit of America Dance Stars is comprised of about 600 dancers aged 13-18 from studios and school teams across the country.

For more information on the parade, and to see the whole lineup visit the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade website.

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Balloons and Floats

Tom Turkey
Leading the parade is the classic and iconic Tom Turkey. This festive fan favorite is the longest-running title float in the parade’s history and will usher in Thanksgiving in a flurry of confetti.

Geoffrey the Giraffe
You may have heard whispers that Toys R Us is back, but in case you weren’t sure, perhaps a larger-than-life Geoffrey the Giraffe will convince you. Be on the lookout for the beloved mascot as he DJs down the parade line on a brand-new float complete with balloons, toys galore, and more surprises!

Bluey
Beloved by parents and kids alike, Bluey, the main character from the hit global cartoon series, will make her debut in Manhattan this year, in the form of a giant floating balloon. 

Pinkfong Baby Shark
Also new to the parade this year is Pinkfong Baby Shark. The viral tune has exploded with toys, merchandise, and even a TV show in recent years, so it’s only fitting that Baby Shark and pals get a float in the parade this year.

The Brick-Changer
A turkey-dragon made entirely of super-sized lego bricks may be one of the most unique you’ll see during the procession. The elaborate, yet whimsical float is a display of the creativity and imagination the Lego inspires in kids young and old.

Grogu
Fans of The Mandalorian will be excited to see Grogu (or the more commonly nicknamed, “Baby Yoda”) floating down 34th Street this year again. At 41 feet tall though, the balloon version of the beloved character won’t be baby-sized.

Santa’s Sleigh
Straight from the North Pole, Santa Claus himself will ride his sleigh through the streets of New York on the parade’s largest float. Don’t miss all eight reindeer, Santa’s elves, his toy workshop, his giant bag of gifts, and other festive treats and delights.