Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2022

As we slide into the holiday season, the first big New York item is of course the eponymous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year Thanksgiving falls on November 24, 2022, as does the big parade. We have a guide here on how to make the most of the parade and festivities!

Each year, more than 3.5 million people in NYC and more than 50 million people at home watch the Parade which celebrates the act of giving thanks. With a history that dates back to 1924, the parade has been an annual event with floats, professional musicians, bands and larger than life balloons that exist in celebration. The parade was begun by immigrant employees of Macy’s who wanted to express their gratitude for living in the United States. At the end of that first parade, Santa Claus was welcomed into Herald Square bringing in the Christmas season. The parade is unrivaled in its spectacle combining giant balloons, top level dance performers, floats, musical performances and celebrities.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade starts at 77th St and Central Park West and heads down to 34th Street to Macy’s Herald Square.

The 2.5 mile route kicks off at West 77th Street & Central Park West and down Central Park West before curling around Columbus Circle where it heads onto Central Park South and Sixth Avenue. The grand finale end of the line is at Macy’s Herald Square.

The fun kicks off promptly at 9 am and ends at 12 noon.

The parade has entertainment in spades. Look for Broadway performances, live musical performances by various artists, classic marching bands, celebrity appearances and of course the balloons.
Tony Award-winning musicals, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and SIX will perform on the “The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS” starting at 9am EST and streaming on Paramount+.
This year the parade will welcome talent including: Paula Abdul; Big Time Rush; Cam; Jordan Davis; Blue’s Clues & You! host Josh Dela Cruz; Gloria, Sasha and Emily Estefan; Jimmy Fallon & The Roots; Fitz and the Tantrums; Kirk Franklin; Mario Lopez and family; Ziggy Marley; Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles; the cast and Muppets of Sesame Street; Sean Paul; the cast of Peacock’s Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland and Flula Borg); Joss Stone; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue; Jordin Sparks; Dionne Warwick; Betty Who; and last but not least, Santa Claus.

The balloons of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade have changed over the years, but are true to the cartoon character theme. From classics such as Mickey Mouse to more contemporary cartoon heroes like Paw Patrol, the balloons evoke childhoods throughout the ages. Many of the balloons are as tall as or taller than 4 story buildings.

Bluey and Diary of a Wimpy Kid are the newest balloons to join the parade this year. They’ll be flying alongside popular balloons from past years such as Ada Twist Scientist, Astronaut Snoopy, Grogu, Goku, Paw Patrol and others.

Keep an eye out for “balloonicles,” a mix of balloon and vehicle that will also be in the parade. You’ll spot Baby Dinos, Bulldog, Go Bowling, Mouse King, Tough Guy and the Nutcracker. This year is the debut of the U.S. Soccer Star, which celebrates the U.S. Men’s team who will be competing in Qatar during the FIFA World Cup.

The inflating of the giant balloons is an event in and of itself that is fun for the whole family to watch. Public viewings of the balloon inflation production take place on Wednesday, November 23, one day prior to the big parade, from noon to 6pm. The balloon inflation happens at the American Museum of Natural History, at West 72nd and Columbus Avenue.

If you’re not up for going out and catching the parade in person, it will be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 9 am across time zones and streaming on the Peacock Network.

The Lombardy Hotel’s timeless elegance is iconic to Midtown Manhattan. Our rooms are spacious, comfortable and thoughtfully designed to make you feel at home. We look forward to hosting you on your next visit to New York City.

*Due to Covid-19 our restaurant, cafe and gym will remain closed for a time.