Before the turkey hits the table, millions tune in for a spectacle of giant balloons, show-stopping performances, and a dash of holiday magic-but the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade had a few surprises even seasoned viewers might have missed. From a supersized start time to new camera angles and secret behind-the-scenes moments, here’s how to catch every float, celebrity, and hidden detail in this year’s parade extravaganza.
This year marks the department store’s 97th parade down the streets of New York City, and the event once again promises floats, musical numbers, and big cartoon balloons, albeit with an extremely 2023 touch. Here’s what to know – and a few things you may never think about while watching.
How to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade stream
To stream the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, you have several convenient options. The parade aired live on NBC and was simultaneously available to stream on Peacock, with coverage starting at 8:30 a.m. ET and running until noon, followed by an encore presentation at 2 p.m. ET. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the parade live on the Peacock app or website with a subscription, which is one of the most affordable streaming choices. Alternatively, you can stream the parade through live TV streaming services such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, or Fubo, many of which offer free trials for new users. You can also catch the parade on NBC’s official website or the NBC app if you have access to those platforms. This variety of streaming options ensures you can enjoy the parade from virtually any device, whether at home or on the go.
The official telecast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air on NBC and be simulcast on Peacock. Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker will be back per usual to yap about the floats. A Spanish language simulcast will air on Telemundo, hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
What time does the Thanksgiving Day Parade start
The 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 23, marking a new, earlier start time for the iconic event. The parade was broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock, running until noon. This adjustment, starting half an hour earlier than previous years, allowed viewers even more time to enjoy the beloved floats, giant balloons, and star-studded performances that kick off the holiday season.
This year’s parade starts a little earlier than usual: the simulcast runs from 8:30 a.m. ET to 12 p.m. ET., but will also begin at 8:30 a.m. in all time zones, so no need to wake up at the crack of dawn. NBC will also air an encore of the parade at 2 p.m. ET.
The new parade balloons and how they got here
The new parade balloons for the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade include seven fresh giants such as Beagle Scout Snoopy, Po from Kung Fu Panda, Pillsbury Doughboy with a new giggling pose, Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece, and Uncle Dan from Migration. These balloons were carefully built over 8 to 12 months and underwent test flights to see how they would handle real wind conditions. The balloons, along with new floats, are transported through the Lincoln Tunnel to the parade route in Manhattan, where they are reassembled for the big day. This meticulous process involves a large team of artisans, including sculptors, painters, and engineers, ensuring the balloons and floats are parade-ready. The tradition of giant character balloons has evolved from using live animals before 1927 to these iconic helium-filled figures that now soar above the city streets every Thanksgiving.
This year’s balloon lineup sees a number of returning Giant and Novelty favorites, including Spongebob, Grogu, Bluey, and Smokey the Bear. The commerce of it all means a number of unfamiliar faces will join the lineup, too, including Leo, Adam Sandler’s 74-year-old lizard from the upcoming Netflix animated film; Uncle Dan, the mallard main character of Illumination’s new movie Migration; and Blue Cat & Chugs, the mascots of the Web3 company Cool Cats Group and the winner of a Macy’s contest to decide which NFT brand should earn a coveted character in the parade. 2023, baby! Anime continues its mainstream takeover as well, with legacy balloons Goku and Pikachu joined for the first time by One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy.
Time has not just modernized the balloon characters, but the process itself. Kathleen Wright, Macy’s director of production operations, tells AELGAMES that the journey of devising a balloon, rendering it in inflatable form, then parading it along Central Park has taken on the quality of a Seal Team 6 operation. Computers allow designers to test balloon concepts in various weather conditions to determine the appropriate center of gravity and lift, all while minding the dimension requirements that allow it to float through New York.
In the week leading up to the parade, Wright and her team walk through the route with various city departments to size up potential hindrances for the buoyant stars, including any protruding lamp posts, which are manually swung in the opposite direction by city workers on the eve of the parade. On the day-of, the balloons – once made of rubber, but now built as modular polyurethane pieces that are heat sealed together and painted – are inflated with a combination of helium and regular air, based on required lift. Ninety handlers are assigned to each balloon, with 40-50 people securing the handling lines at any given time (and you thought pop stars were needy). By the time you watch the parade at home, a balloon’s “flight envelope” has been completely broken down and considered. There is no room for error, and based on Wright’s description, they don’t leave any.
The rest of the parade lineup
The rest of the parade lineup includes a vibrant mix of entertainment and spectacle that brings the Thanksgiving tradition to life. This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features 17 giant character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands from across the country, 700 clowns, and 10 performance groups. Notable new balloons include Beagle Scout Snoopy, Po from “Kung Fu Panda,” and Monkey D. Luffy from “One Piece,” alongside returning favorites like Bluey and SpongeBob SquarePants. Floats from popular brands such as Disney Cruise Line, Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer,” and BBC Studios’ “Bluey” add to the festive atmosphere. The parade also showcases performances from Broadway casts, the Radio City Rockettes, and a star-studded lineup including Cher, Jon Batiste, Brandy, and many more, making it a spectacular kickoff to the holiday season.
Along with the balloons and fleet of floats (including a sadly inedible Wonka one), the Thanksgiving Day Parade will once again tout a ton of talent shivering in their knickers while performing on the street. The show kicks off with a performance by Jon Batiste, with expected performances by Bell Biv DeVoe; Brandy; Chicago; En Vogue; David Foster and Katharine McPhee; Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors; Jessie James Decker; Ashley Park and the monsters of Sesame Street; Pentatonix; Paul Russell; Amanda Shaw and Alex Smith; and Manuel Turizo. Oh, and ENHYPEN will be there – so if you hear an inordinate amount of screaming from the crowd, it’s because the parade has gone full K-Pop, bless.
What hidden details might I miss while watching the parade live
While watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade live, you might miss several hidden details:
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Exclusive Performances: Some of the high-profile performances, such as those by the Radio City Rockettes and various singing or dance groups, only take place in front of Macy’s Herald Square for the TV cameras. These segments aren’t performed along the rest of the parade route, so if you’re watching from another location or even live on TV, you might not realize certain acts are exclusive to that spot.
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Interactive Moments: Being at the front row in person can be surprisingly interactive-clowns and performers often engage directly with the crowd by handing out high-fives, tossing confetti, or sharing small souvenirs. These personal interactions are rarely captured on the broadcast, so viewers at home may not notice how immersive the experience can be for those on the street.
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Behind-the-Scenes Logistics: The parade involves intricate logistics, such as balloon wranglers, police escorts, and route management, which are often kept out of the camera’s main focus. The TV broadcast is curated to show the most visually appealing moments, so viewers may not notice the careful coordination happening just out of frame.
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Waiting and Timing: On TV, the parade appears seamless, but in person, there can be long stretches of waiting before the action reaches your spot, especially since the parade route is lengthy and the start times for different segments vary depending on your location.
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Route-Specific Experiences: Not all parade-goers see the same things; some floats and balloons may be deflated or removed before the parade ends, and the energy or crowd interactions can differ dramatically depending on where you are along the route.
These hidden details add layers to the parade experience that aren’t always visible to those watching from home or even from different spots along the route.
What small details in balloons or floats might go unnoticed in person
Many small details in parade balloons and floats can go unnoticed in person due to their scale, movement, and the excitement of the event:
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Intricate Artwork and Textures: Parade balloons, especially those made from Mylar, often feature detailed artwork, subtle textures, or layered materials that are hard to appreciate from a distance. The metallic or foil-like finishes on Mylar balloons can create unique reflections and color shifts that may not be visible unless viewed up close.
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Hidden Mechanics and Supports: The mechanics that keep balloons and floats moving-such as support wires, balloon stems, and inflation valves-are carefully designed to be discreet. For example, some balloon stems have calyx-like collars to hide the balloon neck and knot, making the overall display appear seamless.
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Signs of Wear and Preparation: Balloons may show signs of oxidation or dullness, especially latex ones, due to exposure to air and sunlight. These subtle changes in color or sheen can be overlooked amid the spectacle.
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Small Repairs and Patches: Both balloons and floats often have small repairs, such as patches or reinforced seams, that blend into the design. These are essential for safety and durability but are usually invisible to spectators unless viewed very closely.
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Personalized Touches: Some floats and balloons include hidden messages, signatures, or small decorative elements added by the creators, which are easily missed in the crowd and excitement.
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Environmental Effects: The way sunlight, wind, and weather interact with the materials can create fleeting effects-like glints, shadows, or unexpected movements-that are easy to miss in the moment.
These details contribute to the artistry and engineering behind the parade but are often lost in the scale and spectacle of the live event.
