Although our Thanksgiving traditions will look quite different for many of us this year, the annual celebration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will continue safely as we all watch from the comfort of our homes. The 94th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® – the nation’s most cherished holiday tradition, will kick-off Thursday, November 26 at 9:00 AM on NBC.
Watch the live three-hour parade event with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC News’ “TODAY” as they spread holiday cheer via a live broadcast from 9:00 a.m. – Noon in all time zones and an Encore Presentation set for 2-5 p.m. Telemundo will simulcast the parade in Spanish, with the event hosted by Adamari Lopez, Jessica Carrillo, Rodner Figueroa and Nastassja Bolivar.
To safely bring the spectacle to millions nationwide during this unprecedented time, the annual production will shift to a broadcast-only event. This year the procession will forgo marching down the traditional 2.5-mile route in Manhattan in order to avoid gathering large crowds.
The impact of this year’s pandemic related cancelations on some of New York City’s most beloved arts, entertainment and cultural events was a huge loss felt by both New Yorkers and visitors alike who enjoy them annually as part of New York City’s thriving and vibrant communities. To give the nation a dose of the lost magic of some of these beloved events, this year’s Macy’s Parade will feature a selection of performances representing a sampling of the annual traditions that had to scale back, cancel or indefinitely postpone their events or performances.
Joining the festivities this year will be Lauren Alaina, Ally Brooke, Sofia Carson, CNCO, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots (opening the show), Karol G, Tori Kelly, Patti LaBelle, Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier, Matthew Morrison, the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street®, Leslie Odom Jr., Keke Palmer, Dolly Parton (on behalf of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®), Pentatonix, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Sebastián Yatra, and Brett Young; with an extra special appearance by the one-and-only Santa Claus.
The Macy’s Parade will feature performances from the casts of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Hamilton, Jagged Little Pill and Mean Girls. In addition, the show-stopping Radio City Rockettes® will bring their signature magic to Herald Square.
Returning for a fourth year by popular demand, the Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree will feature the harmonious voices of 60 Macy’s colleagues who will join us from their homes across the country coming together in a golden-voiced chorus filled with the spirit of the holiday season.
Blind & Visually Impaired Access
For the first time in Macy’s Parade broadcast history, in an effort to create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, NBCUniversal is proud to present the full NBC broadcast with live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. This year’s broadcast will be available with additional audio narration, describing the rich visuals of the Parade including the magnificent balloons, floats and performances, to complement the storytelling and celebration that make the Parade an annual Thanksgiving Day tradition for millions of Americans.
As part of Macy’s comprehensive health and wellness plan, below is a sampling of the current safety procedures and enhancements being implemented. They include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The traditional 2.5-mile Parade route will not be utilized this year, the only way to view the celebration is on television
- All participants, staff and performers will be tested for COVID-19 and undergo wellness checks prior to their Parade participation
- All participants will be appropriately socially distanced during staging and performances, and required to wear face coverings; additional personal protective protocols will be implemented based on the participant’s role
- The overall number of participants have now been reduced by approximately 88%, and split over three days
- No participant in the Parade is under 18 years of age
- The majority of Parade participants hail from the New York tri-state area
- Previously selected regional High School and College Marching Band performances were deferred to the 2021 Macy’s Parade, with locally based cultural and professional marching and musical ensembles taking over performance duties in the lineup
- A minute selection of elements will be showcased on television from previous Parade appearances
- A selection of Macy’s signature giant character balloons will be flown without the traditional 80-100 handlers and instead employ an innovative, specially rigged anchor vehicle framework of five specialty vehicles tested and approved by the NYC Department of Transportation and the NYPD
- Macy’s traditional Giant Balloon Inflation public event in New York City, the evening before Thanksgiving, will not take place
