Macy's Thanksgiving Parade live updates: float order and routes, while Billy Porter and Cynthia Erivo will perform

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The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicked off Thursday morning in New York City with a persistent rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the balloons, floats and highly anticipated star-studded performances.

Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo are scheduled to take the stage after a Kylie Minogue show.

The Australian pop icon performed a short medley of her hits, including “Padam Padam” and “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head,” outside the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street in Manhattan.

The annual holiday tradition includes new Spider-Man and Minnie Mouse balloons, zoo and pasta-themed floats, an ode to Big Apple coffee and bagels, a far cry from the original incarnation of the parade a century ago, where Floats showed scenes from “Mother Goose,” Little Red Riding Hood and other fairy tales.

This year’s parade features 17 giant helium-filled character balloons, 22 floats, 15 inflatable novelties and traditions, 11 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups, award-winning singers and actors, and the WNBA champion New York Liberty.

So what is the route for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade?

Many of you may be wondering what the route of the legendary parade will be. Look no further!

Central Park West and 77th Street is the starting point for the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, right next to the New York Historical Society and the American Museum of Natural History.

From there it goes down Central Park West, Arguably the best place to watch the parade – between West 75th Street and West 61st Street – before it continues Columbus Circle the extremely busy roundabout at the intersection of Eighth Avenue, Broadway, 59th Street and Central Park West.

The parade then continues Central Park South and 6th Avenue It runs along the east side of the park, although there are no views along this portion of the parade route.

However, you can enjoy great views along the way 6th Avenue from 59th to 38th Street, but be sure to avoid the last 4 blocks to 34th Street, which are closed to national television coverage.

After marching 25 blocks along 6th Avenue, the Thanksgiving Day Parade reaches its final leg 34th Street and heads west toward 7th Avenue.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ends before Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street between Broadway and 7th Ave.

Mike BediganNovember 28, 2024 4:20 p.m

Mike BediganNovember 28, 2024 4:10 p.m

Kylie Minogue performs in front of Macy’s

Kylie Minogue took the stage at the iconic parade in front of the Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street in a striped red and black pantsuit – appropriate for the cold and rainy weather in New York City.

She completed her look with bright pink eyeshadow.

The legendary Australian singer sang her hit “Padam Padam” and of course her early noughties hit “Can’t Get You Out of My Hea”.

She will embark on her highly anticipated Tension Tour in 2025, starting April 19, with Rita Ora as her special guest.

Mike BediganNovember 28, 2024 4:00 p.m

How to watch the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is expected to be unique.

This year, the iconic event will feature 10 performance groups, 11 marching bands, 17 giant character balloons, 22 floats, 15 historic inflatables and 700 clowns, as well as appearances from fan-favorite stars such as Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Ariana Madix. Coco Jones and Walker Hayes.

Here’s where and how to see it!

Mike BediganNovember 28, 2024 3:50 p.m

Hello, welcome and happy Thanksgiving!

Hello and welcome The Independents Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 Live Blog. Happy Holidays!

The annual parade began Thursday morning in New York City with a persistent rain that added ponchos and umbrellas to the balloons, floats and highly anticipated star-studded performances.