On Thursday, Nov.25, 2021, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the 95th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held on the streets of New York City. This parade has been a holiday tradition since 1924 and gets better every year.

Last year spectators were prohibited from watching the parade in person last Thanksgiving. This year, Macy’s is working to make this the best one yet. 

The parade starts with pre-parade acts including SIX the Musical, Moulin Rouge! the Musical, Wicked, Carrie Underwood, NBC’s Annie Livel, and last but not least, The Radio City Rockettes will “kick” off the start of the parade. 

There will also be performance groups including, Ballet Hispanico School of Dance, Broadway Education Alliance Youth Choir, Fred Astaire Dance Studios, Indigenous Direction, J.U.M.P, Opening Cheer Group, St. John’s Dance Team, Spirit of America Cheer, Spirit of America Dance Stars, and Young People’s Chorus of NYC.

The performers include Andy Grammer, AESPA, Chris Lane, Darren Criss, Foreigner, Girls5Eva, Jimmie Allen, Jon Batiste, Jordan Fisher, Josh Dela Crus, Steve Burns, Donovan Patton, Kelly Rowland, Kim Petras, Kristin Chenoweth, Mickey Guyton, Nelly, Rob Thomas, Tai Verdes, Tauren Wells, and Zoe Wees.  

Although everyone knows the traditional balloons such as Snoopy, Paw Patrol’s Chase, Papa Smurf, and many more, there will also be many new balloons this year including ADA Twist, Scientist, from the popular Netflix series.

You can expect to see Grogu from the Star Wars Series: The Mandalorian, floating through the sky. Pokemon has been a part of the parade for many years and this year is Pokemon’s 25th anniversary, so Pikachu and Eevee will be featured on a balloon.

Similar to Pokemon, Ronald McDonald has been included in the parade since 1987, but this year, Ronald will be featured as his 5th design where he is holding a red heart.

Another new balloon is Macy’s iconic TipToe reindeer. Not only is it her first parade, but she is also making history. She is the first-ever balloon puppet to participate in the parade. Her head will bop and her legs will move.

The final new balloon is Toni, the Bandleader Bear. Toni will soar through the sky as tall as a three-story building. Toni was built and painted by the Macy’s Studio Team. 

Not only are there many new balloons, but there are also four new floats. The first new float is the Birds of a Feather Stream Together. This float is a huge, glittery peacock inspired by the streaming network Peacock. 

The next new float is Celebration Gator, which is a huge alligator from the Louisiana Office of Tourism. This alligator is the longest parade float ever measuring 60 feet. 

Colossal Wave Wonder will be making an appearance from Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. Kalahari Resort is a waterpark and hotel themed with animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, and more.  Expect to see many elephants floating across New York City.

The last new float this year is Magic Meets the Sea from Disney Cruise Line. This float is a replica of the Disney Cruise float and is making history by being the first ever float that is longer than the float bed.

        Even though spectators are allowed, many precautions will still be taken. All staff and volunteers are required to wear masks and be vaccinated. The only exception to the mask mandate is to singers, dancers, and musicians. 

            Floats, balloons, musicals, singers, dancers, balloonicles, clowns, how could you miss it? For the first time ever, you can watch the parade on Peacock as well as NBC. Be sure to tune into NBC at 9 am on Nov. 25 or attend live in the city that never sleeps, the one and only, New York City.