NEW YORK — Before you indulge in heaps of turkey, stuffing and pie, there are celebrity performers, elaborate floats and enormous balloons ready to get the Thanksgiving festivities started.
The 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade comes with an earlier start time, beginning 30 minutes earlier for the first time in its nearly 100 years.
Here's everything you need to know about this year's parade.
What time does the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade start?
The parade kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23 in New York City.
The parade starts half an hour earlier than previous years.
Where can I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is broadcast on NBC and streams on Peacock beginning at 8:30 a.m. local time in each time zone. A Spanish language simulcast will air on Telemundo.
The parade will air again at 2 p.m. local time.
Who is hosting the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker of NBC's "Today" show will host the parade.
Al Roker returns this year after missing the parade in 2022 because of health struggles. It was the first time he'd missed the Thanksgiving Day parade in 27 years.
A Spanish language simulcast on Telemundo will be hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.
Who is in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
This year’s parade will feature 16 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 32 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns and eight performance groups.
Cher and Jon Batiste are among the headlining acts performing at this year's event.
There will be appearances by Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Chicago, En Vogue, ENHYPEN, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, Jessie James Decker, Ashley Park with some Muppets from “Sesame Street,” Pentatonix, Paul Russell, Amanda Shaw and Alex Smith, and Manuel Turizo.
A marching band from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the scene of one of the nation's worst school shootings, will represent Florida. Other marching bands this year will represent Alabama, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Washington, New York, Illinois, New Jersey and Texas.
