The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off onThursday morning in New York City with a steady rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the lineup of balloons, floats and highly anticipated star-studded performances.
Jennifer Hudson took the stage, shortly after Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue as hordes of cheerleaders and marching bands made their way along the route through central Manhattan.
The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon raised some eyebrows after his own performance, which had fans remarking his choice of dark sunglasses in the November drizzle, and questionable “lip-syncing.”
The annual holiday tradition features new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, an ode to Big Apple coffee and bagels, a far cry from the parade’s initial incarnation a century ago, which featured floats showing scenes from Mother Goose, Red Riding Hood and other fairy tales.
This year’s parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
The parade was followed by the highly anticipated annual National Dog Show – which saw a pug named Vito walk away with the “Best in Show” award and a $20,000 prize.
Key Points
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How to watch the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
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What is the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?
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Who is in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade line-up this year?
NBC misidentifies child star as 53-year-old Broadway legend during Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
20:00 , Mike Bedigan
NBC appeared to mistakingly identify a young Sesame Street actor as Broadway icon Lea Salonga during its live broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
During the network’s annual holiday event on Thursday, co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie introduced Sesame Street’s float, where Tony Award-winning actor Lea Salonga was performing alongside the cast of the PBS staple.
Inga Parkel was watching:
NBC misidentifies child star as 53-year-old Broadway legend during holiday parade
In pictures: Famous faces at the Thanksgiving parade
19:30 , Mike Bedigan
Jimmy Fallon (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Billy Porter (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Idina Menzel (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
T-Pain (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Ariana Madix (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Steve Kornacki delights viewers with appearance at National Dog Show
18:56 , Mike Bedigan
Viewers were delighted when popular broadcaster Steve Kornacki made a surprise appearance at the National Dog Show.
Kornacki, the breakout star of MSNBC s election coverage, was accompanied by his usual interactive screen, though offered more canine-based analysis – including on the most popular dog names in different states.
Butterball facing Thanksgiving boycott after PETA resurfaces vile turkey abuse allegations
18:30 , Mike Bedigan
Butterball is facing resurfaced allegations of abuse, which have prompted some Americans to boycott the major turkey manufacturer just days before Thanksgiving.
As millions of people across the United States prepare their turkey-filled Thanksgiving menus, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has drawn attention to its undercover investigation of Butterball’s manufacturing plant in Ozark, Arkansas, which took place between April and July 2006.
Meredith Clarke has more on the story:
Butterball facing Thanksgiving boycott after PETA resurfaces turkey abuse allegations
10 Thanksgiving traditions and where they come from
18:15 , Mike Bedigan
Thanksgiving is a beloved occasion for Americans to spend time with their families and reflect on what they’re grateful for over the past year.
The holiday is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November, which means this year’s Thanksgiving will be falling on Thursday 23 November. Here are 10 traditions and where they come from:
10 Thanksgiving traditions and where they come from
Ponchos are a must this year
18:00 , Mike Bedigan
Ponchos have been a must this morning for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade as rains continued to pour down on enthusiastic New Yorkers.
(REUTERS)
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Rain, rain go away!
17:50 , Mike Bedigan
Parade fans need fear not, the rain isn’t (and hasn’t) stopping anything on Thursday.
In fact, the Macy’s Thansgiving parade has only been canceled three times, from 1942 to 1944 during World War II — but organizers are always monitoring wind speeds throughout the festivities to make sure it’s safe for the big balloons to fly.
Temperatures on Thursday were in the upper 40s degrees F, with rain throughout the morning and winds around 10 mph, well within the acceptable range for letting Snoopy, Bluey and their friends soar.
New York City law prohibits Macy’s from flying the full-size balloons if sustained winds exceed 23 mph or wind gusts are over 35 mph.
(AP)
Cynthia Erivo shares verdict on controversial theater etiquette for Wicked screenings at Macy’s parade
17:40 , Mike Bedigan
During an interview with Today’s hosts at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Cynthia Erivo actor spoke candidly about playing Elphaba – alongside Ariana Grande who stars as Glinda – in the hit film.
TV host Hoda Kotb specifically asked Erivo if she thinks it’s appropriate to sing in the theaters during the movie musical, noting that a lot of fans had already done this.
Here was her verdict:
Cynthia Erivo shares verdict on controversial theater etiquette for Wicked screenings
It’s time for the 2024 National Dog Show!
17:30 , Mike Bedigan
As the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade came to an end, the 2024 National Dog Show officially began.For the 92nd year, thousands of dogs of different breeds gathered to compete in the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) event, which always takes place on Thanksgiving Day.
The event will see one lucky animal walk away with the “Best in Show” award and a $20,000 prize. Before that happens, breeds are assigned to one of these seven groups, “representing characteristics and functions the breeds were originally bred for,” as noted by AKC.
One dog from each of these seven groups received the “First in Group” title, before competing for the “Best in Show” award.This event will be hosted by Seinfeld star John O’Hurley and David Frei, who’s been co-hosting the National Dog Show on NBC since 2002.
As per usual, the event was televised directly after the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Pro-Palestine protesters arrested after disrupting Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
17:20 , Mike Bedigan
A group of pro-Palestine protesters have been arrested after briefly disrupting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
The New York Police Department arrested 21 people in Manhattan on Thursday morning, local outlet ABC 7 NY reports, after the group ran in front of the Ronald McDonald float and briefly stopped the parade.
Katie Hawkinson has more:
Pro-Palestine protesters arrested after disrupting Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
In pictures: New Yorkers brave the rain for the parade
17:10 , Mike Bedigan
(REUTERS)
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Jimmy Fallon parade performance raises eyebrows
17:00 , Mike Bedigan
The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon raised some eyebrows with his performance at the parade, with some suggesting the comedian had lip-synced his songs… and badly.
Others suggested that Fallon may have had a big night out the night before, noting his choice of dark sunglasses in the New York rain.
Cynthia Erivo talks Wicked on Thanksgiving
16:50 , Mike Bedigan
Speaking with hosts of Today at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Cynthia Erivo addressed the ongoing question that viewers have about Wicked: Is it appropriate to sing along to the movie in theaters?
This question also came after some theaters issued a reminder to fans that singing is not permitted unless the screening is a sing-along version.
However, according to Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the blockbuster film, the singing isn’t an issue. “I’m ok with it!” she said during the parade. “We’ve spent this long singing it ourselves it’s time for other people to join in.”
Who is in the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade line-up this year?
16:40 , Mike Bedigan
This year’s parade features 17 giant, helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 novelty and heritage inflatables, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.
As well as new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, an ode to Big Apple coffee and bagels, there are a bunch of returning favourites, including Bluey, Spongebob Squarepants, Stuart the Minion, Snoopy and Smokey Bear.
Performers include hip-hop’s T-Pain, country duo Dan + Shay, The War and Treaty, The Temptations, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots, Broadway veteran Lea Salonga, as well as Idina Menzel, Jennifer Hudson, Australian pop icon Kylie, and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo.
“Glow” actor and Macy’s spokesperson Alison Brie is also set to appear.
One new and innovative float spotlights the Rao’s food brand, featuring a knight and a dragon in battle made with actual pasta elements. Another celebrates the Bronx Zoo’s 125th anniversary with representations of a tiger, a giraffe, a zebra and a gorilla.
The full parade line-up can be found here.
Weather watch: Powerful storms to bring heavy snow and high winds, causing Thanksgiving travel chaos
16:30 , Mike Bedigan
Millions of Americans are bracing for two “powerful” storms expected to dump heavy blankets of snow and force road closures and flight delays as families prepare for a busy week of travel during the Thanksgiving holiday.
A snowy weather system could linger through the rest of the week and into the weekend as it moves east, potentially bringing snow to New England and delivering a wintry coast-to-coast blow to the holiday weekend.
Read more from Alex Woodward about the grim weather forecast – and stay safe!
Powerful storms to bring heavy snow and high winds across US for Thanksgiving
So what’s the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?
16:20 , Mike Bedigan
Many of you may be wondering what the route of the iconic parade will be. Look no further!
Central Park West & 77th Street is the starting point for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, right by the New York Historical Society and the American Museum of Natural History.
From there it moves down to Central Park West, arguably the best place to watch the parade – between West 75th and West 61st Streets – before moving on to Columbus Circle the infamously busy traffic circle located at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, 59th Street, and Central Park West.
The parade then moves on to Central Park South & 6th Avenue running along the east side of the park, though there is no viewing along this portion of the parade route.
However, great views can be had along 6th Avenue from 59th to 38th Street, but be sure to avoid the final 4 blocks to 34th Street, which are blocked off for the national television broadcast.
After the 25-block march down 6th Avenue, the Thanksgiving Day Parade hits its final stretch at 34th Street and heads west towards 7th Avenue.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade finishes in front of Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Ave.
In pictures: Floats in the rain
16:10 , Mike Bedigan
(AP)
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Kylie Minogue performs in front of Macy’s
16:00 , Mike Bedigan
Kylie Minogue took the stage at iconic parade in front of the flagship Macy’s store on 34th St in a a stripped, red and black pantsuit – fit for the cold and rainy New York City weather.
She completed her look with bright pink eye shadow.
The legendary Australian singer performed her hit song “Padam Padam” as well as her early noughties smash “Can’t Get You Out of My Hea” – of course.
She’ll be launching her highly-anticipated Tension Tour in 2025, starting on April 19, with Rita Ora as her special guest.
How to watch the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
15:50 , Mike Bedigan
The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is expected to be like no other.
This year, the iconic event will feature 10 performance groups, 11 marching bands, 17 massive character balloons, 22 floats, 15 historic inflatables, and 700 clowns, as well as appearances from fan favorite stars like Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Ariana Madix, Coco Jones, and Walker Hayes.
Here’s where and how you can watch it!
How to watch the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Hello, welcome and Happy Thanksgiving!
15:40 , Mike Bedigan
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog of the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Happy holidays!
The annual parade kicked off Thursday morning in New York City with a steady rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the lineup of balloons, floats and highly anticipated star-studded performances.
Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo are on the bill to take the stage, following a show by Kylie Minogue.
The Australian pop icon gave a short medley of her hits outside the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street in Manhattan, including tracks Padam Padam and Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.
Stay tuned for live updates!
