Initial mainstage performances have been announced for the 97th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The yearly event, set for Nov. 23, will be broadcast on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. For the first time in its history, the event (and its broadcast) will begin at 8:30 a.m., to allow for an additional 30 minutes of entertainment, and continue until 12:00 noon, in all time zones.
The parade will feature Broadway performances from the currently running Tony-nominated musicals “& Juliet” and “Shucked,” as well as productions from the current season “Back to the Future,” the revival of “Spamalot” and the upcoming new musical “How to Dance in Ohio.” Stars of “Gutenberg!,” Tony nominees Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, will also make an appearance.
Additionally, Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award winner Cher will perform a new holiday song from the stage on 34th Street.
Other Broadway stars will also appear throughout the morning, including “Waitress” alum Katharine McPhee with her husband, “Betty Boop” composer David Foster, and “Mean Girls” Tony nominee Ashley Park with the cast and Muppets of “Sesame Street.”
The 2023 Macy’s Parade will include 5,000 volunteers, 16 featured character balloons, 26 floats, 32 heritage and novelty balloons, more than 700 clowns, 12 marching bands and nine performance groups.
“Our talented team of Macy’s Studios artisans and production specialists work year-round to deliver the nation’s most beloved holiday event, live on Thanksgiving morning,” said the parade’s executive producer, Will Coss. “We are proud to hold this responsibility and look forward to sharing our unbelievable designs, larger-than-life character balloons and first-class entertainment, all sure to create lifelong memories for Parade fans nationwide.”
The parade route will kick off from 77th Street and Central Park West, marching down Central Park West to Columbus Circle. The procession will then turn onto Central Park South before continuing down Sixth Avenue until it reaches 34th Street, in front of Macy’s flagship store.
NBC will air an encore broadcast at 2 p.m. ET/PT. This year, additional cameras will be placed along the parade route to offer new vantage points. The broadcast will be hosted by Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker. A Spanish-language simulcast, hosted by Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza, will air on Telemundo. A broadcast featuring live audio description will air on the Secondary Audio Program channel.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast will be produced by Brad Lachman Productions; Brad Lachman and Brill Bracken will serve as executive producers. Joe DeMaio will direct.
For a full list of performances, appearances, balloons and floats, click here.
