Macy's Thanksgiving Parade NYC 2014: Start Time, Route Map & Live Stream Info
The streets of New York will see another burst of festivity and floating colors as the 88th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade happens Nov. 27 in Manhattan. Rooted in the American tradition, this year's parade is an expected holiday highlight that will bring more than 8,000 participants -- celebrities, marching bands, performance groups and more.
The parade kicks off at 9 a.m., according to an official press statement. Parade executive producer Amy Kule said, "This is a record breaking year for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, as we debut the largest new cast of giant character balloons ever assembled, along with five amazing new floats. Tens of millions of spectators will be amazed by what we have in store."
This year's parade lineup consists of 16 giant character balloons, 33 novelty / ornament balloons, balloonicles, balloonheads and trycaloons; 27 floats; 1,300 cheerleaders and dancers, 1000 clowns, 12 marching bands and celebrity performers. Some of the latter include Nick Jonas, Meghan Trainor, Sabrina Carpenter, William Blake, Idina Menzel, Pentatonix and NHL stars John LeClair and Pat LaFontaine.
New giant balloon characters will feature Paddington, Pikachu, Pillsbury Doughboy, Mighty Morphin Red Power Ranger, Skylanders' Eruptor and Thomas the Tank Engine.
This year's parade will also bring fresh and interactive elements such as The Confetti Carpet, live cameras within Cracker Jack Popcorn's "At the Ball Game" float and 360-degrees panoramic crowd photos from the New York Daily News' Big Apple float. Images from the latter may be viewed here.
International Business Times reported that the parade lasts for three hours. It begins at 77th Street along Central Park West; it marches to 59th Street, turning left to reach 6th Avenue. The parade turns right in its longest, straight-walk, passing through 42nd Street and ending at Macy's Herald Square along 7th Avenue in 34th Street. For a visual reference, click this.
If watching from home brings more convenience, NBC and CBS are airing the event live at exactly 9 a.m. on Thursday. NBC's "Today" anchors Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Savannah Guthrie will be covering the broadcast; for CBS, it will be Kevin Frazier of "Entertainment Tonight" and Thea Andrews of "The Insider." The parade may also be viewed online via EarthCam.
Live video feeds from the official Macy's Thanksgiving Parade app may also be received through Apple and Android devices. Download the app in either of these links: iOS / Android.
For more information about Macy's 88th Thanksgiving Day Parade, click here.