Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade highlights: All the floats, performances, news and more

The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City featured 22 big balloons, 34 fabulous floats and seven wheeled “balloonicles.”

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Watch the highlights from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York

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The Thanksgiving festivities at the 98th annual Macy’s Parade came to a close with the entrance of Santa Claus on a giant sleigh. 

Santa Claus at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Yuki Iwamura / AP

Jolly Old Saint Nick was preceded by Tiptoe the blue reindeer and people wearing festive red-and-white hats.

Joined by Ms. Claus — played by actor Liza Colón-Zayas — elves and dancers, Santa marked the parade's grand finale under a flurry of white, snow-like confetti.

Multiple protesters were detained earlier today for blocking the street during the Macy's parade, the New York City Police Department said.

Police said they appeared to be pro-Palestinian protesters. However, it's not clear how many were detained nor if there will be charges. They were removed from the roadway.

Yesterday, Mayor Eric Adams had warned against protesters disrupting the route.

"I really want to take the moment to tell those grinches that believe they’re going to disrupt the parade. It’s not going to happen. Just as we responded last year, we’re going to be on top of those who attempt to interrupt the parade in any way possible," Adams said in a pre-parade briefing.

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in film adaption of “Wicked,” gave a giant bouquet of flowers to Hoda Kotb at the parade. 

“These flowers are for you because I know that this is the last Thanksgiving parade you’re doing. And I wanted to celebrate that and say we love you and thank you for all the hard work you’ve done,” she said. 

Erivo reflected on the acclaim "Wicked" has received since its release. 

“I’m so pleased. I’m so overwhelmed by the wonderful reactions we’ve been getting. People are giving such heartfelt and lovely reactions and I get to receive it all so it’s really, really wonderful,” she said. 

She said it was good that people are belting out the musical's hit songs in theaters, calling the journey "a dream come true."

"Wicked," which hit theaters last week, has already shattered records as the biggest worldwide opening for a Broadway film adaptation. It raked in $163 million in its opening weekend, surpassing the previous record held by "Les Misérables," which opened at $103 million.

Ariana Madix at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Rehearsals in New York City on Wednesday. Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

A new bombshell has entered the parade!

Ariana Madix joined the Macy’s parade, singing “Lovefool” by The Cardigans, on the Peacock float. 

The “Vanderpump Rules” star has had a stellar year, playing Roxie Hart in two runs of the Broadway musical “Chicago,” and becoming the host of “Love Island USA.”

Dressed in white, the star serenaded the cheering crowds as she was accompanied by dancers.

An estimated 3 million people are expected to attend the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade today. Revelers have travelled from across the country to see the giant balloons and special performances in person, braving the cold and rain.

People watch the parade from a building on Thursday. Kena Betancur / Getty Images

People watch the parade in the street on Thursday. Kena Betancur / Getty Images

Attendees were seen smiling even as they wore rain ponchos and carried umbrellas as they watched the show make its way through Manhattan.

Thousands attend the annual tradition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. This year marks the 98th Parade, featuring fun and festive floats. NBC News’ Jay Gray reports from a rainy Thanksgiving Parade and gives us an insight into some incredible floats.

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American troops stationed around the world are celebrating the start of the holiday season with festive, homemade Thanksgiving meals. NBC’s Meagan Fitzgerald reports for TODAY from Poland with an exclusive look at how soldiers are putting in the effort to make this day feel special wherever they are.

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“The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon joins TODAY’s Al Roker to discuss his brand new, star-studded holiday album, revealing some of his favorite collaborations. He also talks about joining the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the eleventh time.

Kena Betancur / Getty Images

Around 8,000 people are currently marching through Manhattan, watched by "TODAY" hosts hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie.

The parade began on West 77th Street & Central Park West at 8:30 a.m. ET and ends at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street at 12:00 p.m. ET.

There are 2.5 miles of designated public viewing areas along the 2024 route.

See more details here.

Wickedly talented actor Idina Menzel joins TODAY to discuss her sixth Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance, and opens up about the “Wicked” movie premiere and her new musical, “Redwood.”

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New York native Elizabeth Kahane has been photographing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade from her apartment for over 25 years. She talked to the TODAY team about her new book titled “Come Join the Parade” that showcases the parade photos she’s taken.

Photographer captures the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade magic

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Tony Spring, the CEO and chairman of Macy’s, joins TODAY to detail what went into this year’s iconic Thanksgiving parade, how the company is planning to handle Black Friday, and then shares his tips for the shopping event of the year!

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Kids share excitement as balloons are inflated for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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The iconic balloons are being inflated ahead of the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Six new balloons have been added this year including Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf and an all-new Spider-Man balloon

Participants gather beneath a Minnie Mouse inflatable as rain falls prior to the start of the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City this morning.

Kena Betancur / Getty Images

Ahead of the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, creative director Brendan Kennedy gives TODAY a first look at some of 2024’s new parade floats, from the wilderness in the Bronx Zoo to the candy cosmos of the Haribo float. NBC’s Dylan Dreyer reports for "TODAY."

Get a first look at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats!

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Kathleen Wright, director of production operations for Macy’s studios, joined TODAY to reveal how she works to make the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade come together.

Macy’s director details Thanksgiving Day Parade preps, surprises

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Despite losses and challenges from Hurricane Helene, a marching band from East Tennessee State University was able to press on and make it to this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. NBC News’ Joe Fryer reports.

College band will perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

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Continuing on with their tradition from last year, Hoda Kotb will send Jenna Bush Hager a symbol during the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade broadcast to let her know she’s thinking of her.

Hoda reveals symbol she’ll send Jenna during Thanksgiving parade

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The East Tennessee State University marching band is set to perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Parade following unexpected challenges from Hurricane Helene. NBC Nightly News heard from the school's director of athletic bands about their inspiring journey.

Macy's gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the parade's "Go Bowling" float was made before it makes its Thanksgiving Day debut.

28 exciting entertainers, 11 musical marching bands, 28 clown crews and 11 performance groups will be making appearances throughout the parade’s almost four hour duration.

Stars like Jennifer Hudson, Lea Salonga, T-Pain, Rachel Platten, Idina Menzel, Dan + Shay and The Temptations will perform, along with dancer and TikToker Charli D’Amelio and ballet stars Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia.

Members of WNBA champions the New York Liberty, along with mascot Ellie the Elephant, will also make appearances.

The best of Broadway will showcase their skills, including actors from musicals “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Outsiders.”

And not to be outdone, Santa Claus will round out the lineup on his famous sleigh, the largest float in the parade at 60-feet long, 22-feet wide and 3 1/2 stories tall.

Santa Claus attends the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2023. James Devaney / Getty Images file

Six new balloons have been confirmed for this year’s parade, including Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf and an all-new Spider-Man balloon, inspired by comic book artist John Romita Sr.’s art.Six new floats will also make their parade debut this year, such as “Candy Cosmos” by Haribo, “Pasta Knight” by Rao’s Homemade, “Wondrous World of Wildlife” by The Bronx Zoo, which will celebrate the zoo’s animals and beloved exhibits, and “Wednesday’s Feast” by Netflix, featuring a likeness of Jenna Ortega from the hit show.

Three new “Balloonicles,” smaller balloons that wheel down the route attached to cycles, have been created as well.

Get a first look at the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade floats!

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It has officially been 100 years since the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade debuted. TODAY’s Al Roker shares a look at what it takes to bring the parade to life and is then joined by the University of South Carolina Gamecocks’ Marching Band!

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The parade begins on West 77th Street & Central Park West at 8:30 a.m. ET and ends at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street at 12:00 p.m. ET.

There are 2.5 miles of designated public viewing areas along the 2024 parade route. Viewers are advised to arrive as early as 6:00 a.m. to snag the best spots.

Central Park West: Great views can be found along Central Park West from West 75th to West 61st Streets. There is no public viewing on Central Park West between West 59th & West 60th Streets, though.

6th Avenue: The West 59th to West 38th Street stretch holds the best views as close as possible to the end of the parade, but spectators should avoid the area on 6th Avenue between West 34th and West 38th Street, where viewing is limited.

The forecast for Thursday in New York City calls for rain, so bring your ponchos - but leave your umbrellas at home - if you're planning on watching the parade in person!

The parade will go on rain or shine, as the Big Apple is forecast to see soaking rain with temperatures in the 40s. Winds are forecast to be less than 10 mph, which will allow balloons to fly. The parade’s giant balloons cannot fly if maximum sustained winds hit 23 mph or greater or if gusts exceed 34 mph.