The unofficial start to the American holiday season kicked off in spectacular fashion on Thursday as the 99th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marched through Manhattan, delivering a three-and-a-half-hour spectacle of colossal balloons, star-studded floats, and spirited bands, all while navigating a tense battle against brisk winds.
Millions lined the streets and over 50 million watched from home as the iconic procession forged ahead, celebrating nearly a century of tradition and providing a much-needed splash of color and cheer to a blustery New York morning.
The Sky Battle: Keeping the Giants Grounded
The greatest drama of the day centered on the weather. In the hours leading up to the 8:30 a.m. start, city officials and parade organizers watched the forecast closely, as sustained winds reaching the legal limit of 23 mph could have grounded the giant, helium-filled balloons—a restriction only enforced once in the parade’s long history.
While gusts approached the limit, the 34 immense balloons were successfully cleared for takeoff, requiring hundreds of handlers to grip the tethers tightly as they guided the famous figures between the skyscrapers along Central Park West and Sixth Avenue.
- New Faces in the Fleet: This year’s lineup featured several highly anticipated debut balloons, including:
- Buzz Lightyear, making a return to the skies to celebrate a major Disney anniversary.
- Nintendo’s fan-favorite plumber, Mario.
- The classic arcade icon PAC-MAN.
- Shrek’s Onion Carriage, featuring multiple characters on one massive balloon.
Performances and Pop Culture Power
Beyond the massive inflatables, the 99th parade was a showcase of pop culture, Broadway, and top-tier musical talent.
- Musical Highlights: The grand procession featured performances from a diverse list of artists, including the Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, Busta Rhymes, country star Lainey Wilson, and the breakout K-Pop act HUNTR/X from the hit Netflix animated series, KPop Demon Hunters.
- The Big Finale: As is tradition, the parade concluded at Macy’s Herald Square flagship store with the arrival of Santa Claus, officially marking the transition from Thanksgiving celebration to the Christmas shopping season.
Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that the parade took place under “unprecedented security measures,” ensuring the millions of attendees felt safe along the 2.5-mile route.
In a city seeking a moment of collective joy, the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade delivered, showcasing the resilience of a cherished American tradition against both the elements and the strains of the modern world.