NEW YORK CITY (WPIX) – The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take over Manhattan Thursday morning, lining the streets with extravagant balloons. But before those balloons can float through the city, they have to be inflated — and it's a process that begins a whole day ahead of time.
Each balloon can take up to two hours to inflate, one crew member told Nexstar's WPIX in 2023.
"Lots of different chambers to work on. But together we have a great team and we know how to get it done right," said Stephanie Senkevich, a member of the Macy's inflation crew.
The process is scheduled to take place between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday evening. Spectators are allowed to watch from designated viewing areas near the start of Wednesday's parade route.
The 2.5-mile route will be filled with more than just balloons, though. Marching bands, celebrity performers and floats are scheduled for Thursday's parade, which begins at at 8:30 a.m. And if you can't make it in person, the parade will be broadcast on TV and livestreamed online.
Here's everything else you need to know about the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
The parade will start at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday and last through 12 p.m.
The balloons will start their epic holiday journey at West 77th Street and Central Park West, then head down Central Park West to Columbus Circle, where they will turn onto Central Park South. The parade will then go down Sixth Avenue to 34th Street, ending between Fifth and Sixth Avenues on 34th Street.
If you can’t make it to New York City, the parade will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock starting at 8:30 a.m.
In addition to local performance groups, some major celebrities are scheduled to perform at the parade. Grammy-, Oscar-, Emmy- and Tony-winner Jennifer Hudson will perform, as will global pop icon and Grammy-winner Kylie Minogue and Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy-winner Billy Porter.
Other performers include The War and Treaty, Lea Salonga, Loud Luxury, The Temptations, Chlöe, Jimmy Fallon & The Roots and Coco Jones. Viewers can also expect appearances from Idina Menzel, T-Pain, Ariana Madix, Charli D’Amelio and a ribbon-cutting from "Glow" actor Alison Brie.
Six new balloons and seven new floats will debut this year, including a Minnie Mouse balloon, a Spider-Man balloon and a Bronx Zoo float. A Wednesday Addams float will also premiere this year, as well as an ode to Dora the Explorer.
Drivers should avoid Midtown, Manhattan, on Thursday morning, if possible. Dozens of streets will be closed at the discretion of the NYPD.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
