Macy's Thanksgiving Parade Turns 90: Holiday Inn, Muppets, Sesame Street, US Gold Medalists, Sarah McLachlan and More

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade returns to march down the streets of New York City on Thursday, Nov. 24. This is the 90th annual version of the spectacle, with more than 3.5 million spectators and 50 million television viewers nationwide. The Macy's lineup for 2016 is as star-studded as ever, with performances from the new Broadway productions of Holiday Inn and Cats, as well as a sneak peek preview performance from NBC's Hairspray Live, which will air Dec. 7. 

Cast of Broadway's new Holiday Inn , starring Corbin Bleu and Pinkerton. 

STARS ON PARADE

But that's now all! The rest of the star-spangled lineup will include Tony Bennett; Aloe Blacc; Chloe x Halle; Easton Corbin; Daya; De La Soul; Diamante Eléctrico; Brett Eldredge; Fitz & the Tantrums; Christopher Jackson (Hamilton); Johnnyswim; Sandra Lee; Maddie & Tae; Sarah McLachlan; NHL legends Adam Graves and Eric Lindros; Ben Rector; Regina Spektor; performances by the cast of both The Muppets and Sesame Street; Sprout’s Chica; Timeflies; U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Michelle Carter and Laurie Hernandez; U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalists Mikey Brannigan, Gianfranco Iannotta; America's Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal; and Jacob Whitesides, among others.

CHARLIE BROWN, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID's GREG HEFFLEY

Beloved Peanuts' character Charlie Brown returns to the parade with a new balloon, along with a new balloon for the popular children's book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Greg Heffley. Returning characters include Adventure Time with Finn & Jake, The Elf on the Shelf, Hello Kitty, How to Train Your Dragon’s Toothless, Paddington, Pikachu, the Pillsbury Doughboy, Skylanders Eruptor, Snoopy and Woodstock of Peanuts fame, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Returning balloonicles (a Macy’s Parade hybrid of cold-air balloon and vehicle) include  famed pokesduck The Aflac Duck and the Kool-Aid Man.

PARADE ROUTE

*Kickoff 77th Street and Central Park West, 9am

*Turns at Columbus Circle to Central Park South

*Veers south onto Sixth Avenue, from 59th to 38th Streets

*Parade makes its final turn, ending at Macy's Herald Square 

THE DAY BEFORE

Fans that can't get enough of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade can check out the Macy's Giant Balloon Inflation event on Wed, Nov. 23, from 3 to 10pm. Kids love to see the balloons coming to life. Enter the special inflation areas surrounding the Museum of Natural History beginning at 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.

The televised parade kicks off at 9am and continues through noon. Click here for more information on the parade.