Macy’s 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade: What to Watch

Since 1924, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has officially started the Christmas season. It’s the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States (behind Detroit’s America’s parade). It begins at 9am and lasts for three hours. In that time frame, there’s a lot of stuff you won’t want to miss.

Balloons

Big balloons have been a part of the parade for decades, and they delight children and adults alike. Keep your eyes peeled for the likes of Spiderman, the Pillsbury Dough-boy and Papa Smurf, but pay special attention to Snoopy. He’s been in the parade longer than any other balloon.

Floats

Tom Turkey leads the parade of floats that will gallivant down the streets of New York City. Many amazing floats will march by, but the Viking Confetti-Pult is bound to be the most unique. Keep an eye out for Santa’s sleigh. The man in red will be inside, enjoying his official welcome into the Christmas season.

Performances

The parade will feature a variety of performances, and the cast is truly star-studded. Watch out for the Jumpers United group, who are sure to put on a very unique show for the watching crowd. A clogging group will also be dancing in the street. The list of performers at the parade includes Kellie Pickler, Cher Lloyd, Fall Out Boy, Fifth Harmony and Kristin Chenoweth.

Watching the Parade

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is always broadcast live, with lots of commentary and splashy commercials. New York residents take to the streets in order to see the parade up close and personal. And if you have a smartphone, you can even download the official parade app. It’s available now for Android devices.

Keep an eye out for the must-hear performances, the must-see attractions and all those Black Friday advertisements that will have you dreaming of Christmas shopping. Once the parade comes and goes, the Christmas season is officially on…so this is your last chance to rest.