How to watch and what to know

It’s that time of year again: when Snoopy and Pikachu float down Sixth Avenue and Santa Claus makes a special appearance to signal the official start of the Christmas season.

The 96th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to New York this week with five new floats and four new balloons to entertain audiences of all ages.

A lot has changed since the first parade in 1924. Not only will people be able to watch the event from the comfort of their homes on network television, but various streaming services will also provide a front row seat to the events. .

More than 3.5 million people in New York and more than 50 million viewers at home typically watch the parade, which uses 5,000 volunteers to put the show on the road.

Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the parade continued – albeit with some sweeping changes to ensure social distancing. Unlike normal years, it was designed just for television audiences, but this year’s celebration is free to continue without hesitation.

« Today » anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker are set to return as parade hosts. However, Roker was absent from ‘Today’ and is currently ‘on the road to recovery’ after being hospitalized with blood clots in his leg and lungs two weeks ago.

When is the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on National Day, which falls on Thursday, November 24 this year at 9 a.m. EST. The show officially ends at noon.

How can I watch the parade and is it available for streaming?

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will air on NBC and CBS. It will also be available to stream live on many subscription services, including Peacock, Paramount+, Hulu Live, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and YouTube TV.

What is the parade route and can I watch it in person?

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route spans 2.5 miles, from 77th Street and Central Park West, south to 34th Street-Herald Square.

Tickets are not required to watch the procession in person, but it is best to avoid watching on Sixth Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets, and on West 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, as national television limits viewing to this location.

Those hoping to be near the cameras often show up very early, hours before the show starts, for the perfect vantage point. It is recommended to show up « no later than 6am » for the coveted spots.

Will there be special guests and artists?

Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg from « Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin », Betty Who, Big Time Rush, Jordin Sparks, Fitz and the Tantrums, Blanco Brown, country musician Cam, Dionne Warwick, Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan , Joss Stone and Kirk Franklin will all be on floats.

Miss America Emma Broyles, Paula Abdul, Sean Paul, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Ziggy Marley will also be in attendance.

Mariah Carey will also realize her « childhood dream » and will open for Santa Claus at the end of the parade.

What’s new this year?

New parade balls include one from ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, Dino and Baby Dino, Bluey, Stuart the Minion and Striker the US Soccer Star, which celebrates the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Also look out for new tanks, including Baby Shark, Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party with Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe, Netflix-inspired Supersized Slumber and Wonder Bread’s Wondership, and Macy’s People of First Light and Winter Dragon tanks. .