Watch CBS New York's 2023 Thanksgiving Eve Celebration special
NEW YORK -- CBS New York's Dick Brennan, Jessica Moore, Lonnie Quinn and Alecia Reid were live on the Upper West Side on Wednesday evening to preview the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Before the parade marches through Manhattan, the giant balloon characters came to life on the Upper West Side.
The annual balloon inflation event always draws a crowd, as people get a chance to see their favorite characters in person.
Watch our full Thanksgiving Eve Celebration special in the video player above.
What's new this year
This year's parade will feature 25 balloons, including seven new characters -- Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat and Chugs from Cool Cats, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," LEO from an upcoming animated film, Monkey D. Luffy from "One Piece," Uncle Dan from "Migration," plus, a new Pillsbury Doughboy balloon.
There will also be 31 floats, including six new ones -- Camp Snoopy, the Good Burger Mobile, one called "Igniting Memories," a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles "Mutant Mayhem" float, another called "Palace of Sweets," and the Deliciously Delectable World of Wonka.
Street closures
Driving through NYC this afternoon?
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 22, 2023
Please be advised of the following street closures due to the @Macys Parade balloon inflation. pic.twitter.com/RDF8EiZkfZ
Drivers should avoid parts of the Upper West Side between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue from 72nd to 86th streets.
The closures also include the 79th Street Transverse.