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 2023’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, so you won’t miss a second of the wholesome action.

Your Guide to the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

How to Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

How to Watch the Parade on TV or Stream it Online
This year’s event kicks off at 9 am ET on Thursday, November 23, 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.

How to Watch the Parade 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, and 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 on Wednesday, November 22. You can witness the inflation of the iconic parade balloons before the big show the next day.

 

Balloons to Look for at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Beagle Scout Snoopy
Snoopy is the longest-running character balloon in the Parade, and this year, his best buddy Woodstock will join him to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the first appearance of the Beagle Scouts in Charles M. Schulz’s beloved comic strip.

Spongebob Squarepants
Everyone's favorite sea sponge will return to the streets of New York on Thanksgiving for his 20th appearance. SpongeBob is accompanied by his pet snail Gary, so get ready for some F-U-N!


Pikachu and Eevee
Returning in their Poké Ball-inspired sleigh are Pikachu and Eevee, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces for the 23rd consecutive appearance of Pokémon in the Parade.

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.

 

Floats to See at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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.

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.

Fantasy Chocolate Factory
A sky-high chocolate factory by Kinder will feature a rotating Ferris wheel-like machine with egg-shaped gondolas delivering creamy chocolatey swirls and holiday treats.

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.

 

Performances at the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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.