The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the most iconic and beloved events of the year, returned to the streets of New York City on Thursday, November 23, 2023. The parade featured dazzling floats, giant balloons, marching bands, performance groups, and the biggest stars in music, including pop legend Cher, who performed to usher in the holiday season.
Cher Delights the Crowd with Her Classic Hits
Cher, who has been entertaining audiences for over six decades, was the headline performer at the parade, singing some of her classic hits such as “Believe”, “If I Could Turn Back Time”, and “I Got You Babe”. The 77-year-old singer looked stunning in a glittering black outfit, complete with a feathered cape and a matching hat. She was joined by dancers and a live band on a specially designed float that resembled a stage.
Cher expressed her excitement and gratitude for being part of the parade on her Twitter account, writing: “I’m so honored and thrilled to be performing at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It’s a dream come true for me. Thank you to all the fans who came out to support me. I love you all. Happy Thanksgiving!”
New Floats and Balloons Make Their Debut
The parade also featured four new floats and two new balloons, adding to the spectacle and fun of the event. The new floats were:
- The Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka by Warner Bros. Pictures, inspired by Willy Wonka’s first candy shop and featuring 500,000 pieces of prop candy, from a giant cherry tree to tiny sweets throughout the float.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem by Nickelodeon & Paramount, a two-story structure that stood about 28 feet tall and showcased the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles scaling the float, which was decorated with graffiti, pizza boxes, and sewer pipes.
- The Magic of Macy’s by Macy’s, a tribute to the department store’s history and heritage, featuring a replica of its flagship store in Herald Square, a giant red star, and a display of iconic Macy’s windows.
- The Spirit of America by Spirit of America Productions, a celebration of the diversity and unity of the American people, featuring a giant eagle, a Statue of Liberty torch, and a map of the United States.
The new balloons were:
- Baby Yoda by Lucasfilm, a 41-foot-tall balloon of the adorable and popular character from the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, who was seen holding a silver ball in his hand.
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Netflix, a 36-foot-tall balloon of the curious and adventurous protagonist from the animated series based on the best-selling books by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts, who was seen wearing a lab coat and goggles.
Parade Draws Millions of Viewers and Spectators
The parade, which started at 8:30 a.m. ET and lasted for three hours, was broadcast live on NBC and Peacock, and hosted by Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker. The parade also featured special correspondents Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, who provided commentary and interviews along the route.
The parade attracted over 3 million spectators on the streets of Manhattan, who braved the cold and windy weather to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The parade also drew millions of viewers online and on social media, who shared their photos and videos of the event.
The parade ended with the arrival of Santa Claus, who waved to the crowd from his sleigh and wished everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.
