Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Balloons, Rain, and Protesters Take Center Stage

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, bringing joy, entertainment, and a little bit of drama to the streets of New York City. Despite rainy weather and an unexpected protest, the iconic event still captured the festive spirit and officially kicked off the holiday season.

A Parade Full of Surprises

The parade, which started at 8:30 a.m. on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, brought colorful balloons, elaborate floats, and performances from some of the biggest names in entertainment. New balloons like Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse joined the parade this year, alongside classic favorites like Snoopy and Bluey. Floats themed around everything from zoo animals to New York’s beloved coffee and bagels delighted the crowds.

Performances were a major highlight, featuring artists like Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and Kylie Minogue. Other stars included T-Pain, Lea Salonga, and The Temptations, adding extra sparkle to the already dazzling event.

One standout float celebrated the Bronx Zoo's 125th anniversary, showcasing lifelike figures of a tiger, giraffe, zebra, and gorilla. Another creative addition featured a battle between a knight and a dragon, promoting the food brand Rao’s. The parade’s final act, as always, was the arrival of Santa Claus, marking the official start of the holiday season.

A Moment of Protest

Not everything went as planned. The parade faced a brief interruption when a group of protesters advocating for Palestine jumped the barricades and sat on the parade route. Waving Palestinian flags and holding a banner that read, “Don’t Celebrate Genocide,” the protesters chanted slogans like “Free Palestine.”

The incident occurred as a giant Ronald McDonald balloon made its way down Sixth Avenue. The New York City Police Department quickly responded, arresting 21 protesters. Although the disruption was brief, it added an unexpected layer of tension to the otherwise cheerful event.

This isn’t the first time protests have intersected with the parade. Last year, activists opposing the war in Gaza also disrupted the celebrations, highlighting how large public events often become platforms for political statements.

The Weather Couldn't Stop the Fun

Rain threatened to put a damper on the festivities, but the parade marched on undeterred. Attendees braved the weather with raincoats and umbrellas, while parade organizers kept a close eye on wind speeds to ensure safety.

The balloons, some as tall as buildings, are not allowed to fly if winds exceed 23 miles per hour or gusts go over 35 miles per hour, according to New York City laws. Fortunately, this year’s wind stayed within acceptable limits, allowing beloved characters like Snoopy to soar through the skies.

The temperature hovered around 50°F (10°C), with light rain adding a cozy, fall atmosphere to the celebration. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the spirit of the parade remained as strong as ever.

Honoring a Century of Tradition

This year marked a significant milestone for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which first began in 1924. While the original event featured floats inspired by fairy tales like “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Mother Goose,” today’s parade has evolved into a showcase of pop culture, creativity, and community.

The 2024 parade included 17 giant character balloons, 22 themed floats, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, and performances from both Broadway stars and award-winning musicians. The New York Liberty, champions of the WNBA, also joined the lineup, adding a touch of athletic pride to the celebration.

For many, the parade is more than just entertainment; it’s a cherished tradition. Will Coss, the parade’s executive producer, summed it up best: “The opportunity to impact millions of people and bring joy for a couple of hours on Thanksgiving morning is what motivates us every day.”

A Rainy but Memorable Day

The parade concluded at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, where live performances took center stage. NBC’s coverage featured longtime hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, joined by weather anchor Al Roker, who walked part of the parade route before taking his place on the broadcast team.

Broadway star Cynthia Erivo made a special gesture, presenting Kotb with a bouquet of flowers, hinting it might be her final time hosting the parade before her rumored retirement.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has only been canceled three times in its history—during World War II from 1942 to 1944. Rain and protests couldn’t come close to stopping this year’s celebration, which brought joy to millions watching in person and on TV.

As the parade wrapped up, it was clear that even 100 years later, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade remains a beloved and resilient symbol of the holiday season.