NEW YORK - Get ready to gobble up the action at the 99th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Manhattan on Thursday, starting at 8:30 a.m. ET.
Local perspective:
This year's parade will last approximately three and a half hours and cover a 2.5-mile route through the heart of New York City, finishing at Macy's iconic Herald Square flagship store. Whether you're bundling up to see it live or tuning in from your couch, here's your ultimate guide to catching all the action.
Here's everything you need to know about the parade:
Spectators are encouraged to arrive at 6 a.m., especially those viewing from Central Park West.
The parade and the parade telecast begins. Actress Alison Brie will kick off the parade.
The parade always concludes with a performance from the Radio City Rockettes followed by the arrival of Santa Claus.
The parade telecast ends.
The parade will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m. in all U.S. time zones.
Check your local listings for exact channels and times.
This year's parade features a lineup of star performers and beloved characters, including:
See detailed list of floats and performances here.
The broadcast will once again be led by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker of NBC's Today show. As tradition goes, the parade will close with a performance from the Radio City Rockettes followed by the grand arrival of Santa Claus, marking the official start of the holiday season.
To enjoy the parade in person:
For great views, Macy's recommends these locations:
Certain areas are off-limits for public viewing:
Additionally, grandstand tickets are not available to the general public.
The parade's 2.5-mile route starts at West 77th Street and Central Park West on Manhattan's Upper West Side:
It's important to note that certain roads will also be closed the day before Thanksgiving due to parade preparations. Closures are reopened at the discretion of the NYPD.