Fan favorite floats returning to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
NEW YORK -- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rolls back into New York City tomorrow, with everyone's favorite balloons and floats.
This year's parade will feature 34 floats, 28 performers, 28 clown crews, 22 balloons, 11 marching bands, 11 performance groups and seven "balloonicles."
Here's a look at the fan favorite floats making their return to Manhattan's Upper West Side.
1-2-3 Sesame Street
Sesame Street's float is making its 48th appearance in the parade, with the show's classic muppet characters.
In years past, Big Bird, Elmo and Cookie Monster rode atop the float waving to fans - usually with a special musical guest onboard.
Ronald McDonald's big red shoe car
While the Ronald McDonald balloon flies overhead, a life-size Ronald will ride the route in a Big Red Shoe Car, joined by Grimace and Hamburglar.
According to Macy's, the float is equal to a men's size 266 shoe.
Camp Snoopy is back
Beagle Scout Snoopy will fly over the Camp Snoopy float, where his sidekick Woodstock sits perched on a tent.
This is the sixth version of the Peanuts float, with the first dating back to 1967.
Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float is inspired by the new series "Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on Parmount+.
Parade organizers say the float has 11 hinges to help it collapse and travel through the Lincoln Tunnel from New Jersey.
Jennie-O's Big Turkey Spectacular
Jennie O's turkey brand is back in the parade for its fifth consecutive year.
T-Pain is set to perform on the Big Turkey Spectacular float, which has two-story-tall feathers that span a football field from end zone to end zone.
Odes to NYC
Macy's "Gift of Freedom" Statue of Liberty float features a torch the same size as the real statue's torch.
"An iconic symbol of hope & freedom, the Macy's Parade Gift of Freedom stands tall as an ode to our vibrant city. Radiating warmth & light, it captures the spirit of New York, celebrating the dreams & aspirations that have drawn countless souls to our shores," the company says.
Macy's also has a Winter Wonderland in Central Park float, depicting a snowy scene and the iconic ice skating rink.
Tom Turkey
Tom Turkey is the longest running float in the parade's history.
Macy's says it's also the only self-propelled float, and will be accompanied by cheerleaders and dancing showgirls.
Santa's Sleigh
Saving the best for last, arguably the most popular float is Santa's Sleigh. It's also the largest at 60 feet long, 22 feet wide and 3.5 stories tall.
When the sleigh arrives in front of Macy's flagship store in Herald Square, the holiday season is officially here.
New Macy's parade floats for 2024
Macy's is unveiling seven new floats this year, along with six new balloons.
- Candy Cosmos
- Dora's Fantastical Rainforest
- Magic Meets the Seas
- Pasta Knight
- SpongeBob SquarePants Garage
- Wednesday's Feast
- Wonderous World of Wildlife
The characters start coming to life Wednesday at the balloon inflation celebration outside the American Museum of Natural History. Watch our Thanksgiving Eve Celebration special live at 5:30 p.m.
