Family gatherings, parades, and the biggest feast of the year in the United States. Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated nationwide on November 25. Americans are looking forward to waking up and turning on the tv to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Due to the high cases in COVID last year there was no audience permitted to crowd the busy streets of New York City on Thanksgiving Day. As we turn new corners in research and vaccines, the annual parade is back!

What will this year look like? 

This year will be the 95th march that begins at 9am on Thursday November 25, 2021. 

The parade’s executive producer Will Coss said “ It’s going to be a celebration of spectacle, a celebration of performance, a celebration of culture, a celebration of love. It’s going to be a really exciting day, and we’re really just elated to have the opportunity to bring it back in it’s true form.” The parade team is aiming to bring the parade spirit back and better than ever. Furthermore, the parade will include 15 character balloons, 28 floats, 36 novelty and heritage inflatables, more than 800 clowns, 10 marching bands and 9 performance groups, as well as a feature from Santa Claus!

Last Year: 

Even though an audience was not allowed to go and watch the parade last year due to the peak of the pandemic it did not stop the parade from happening. Not only were people not allowed to spectate, the balloons were socially distanced including the mandate of masks throughout the parade. The parade has been an annual tradition since 1924 and the event has been televised on NBC since 1953. Last year was the first time the parade did not allow any spectators to view the show. 

New Additions: 

Carrie Underwood’s popularity will return to the parade kicking off with her a selection of songs from her holiday album My Gift (Special Edition). Other celebrities that will be making an appearance include the cast of Peacocks Girls5eva, Kim Petras, Andy Grammar, and Kelly Rowland. As well as the casts of The Broadways musicals SIX, Moulin Rouge!, and Wicked. The parade’s biggest star is Santa Claus. Santa will be accompanied by several giant balloons which include The Mandalorians Grogu, Ronald Mcdonald, Pokemons Pikachu and Eevee, and a balloon created after the book Ada Twist, Scientist. 

As Thanksgiving approaches Americans are anticipating the long awaited return of the Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Be sure to tune in at 9am to noon in all time zones on NBC. Happy Thanksgiving!