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Despite the persistent rain, the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade turned New York City into a festive haven, drawing thousands of spectators. Rain-soaked streets couldn’t dampen the triumphant spirit of the attendees who witnessed one of the most beloved holiday traditions. Sal Media captured the vibrant moments of the event, with photographers Sal Sayed and Chia-Ta Tsai also documenting the day’s highlights.
This year’s parade featured a dazzling array of giant character balloons, a hallmark of the event. New entries like Gabby from Gabby’s Dollhouse, Marshall from Paw Patrol, Goku from Dragon Ball, and an updated Spider-Man balloon delighted onlookers. These newcomers joined timeless classics like Smokey Bear and SpongeBob SquarePants, ensuring there was something magical for all ages. Despite the wet conditions, the balloons floated majestically along the parade route. Here is the full 22 Balloon and 7 Balloonicles lineup:
Balloons
- Beagle Scout Snoopy
- Bluey
- Diary of a Wimpy Kid
- Disney’s Minnie Mouse (All New for 2024)
- Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf (All New for 2024)
- Gabby (All New for 2024)
- Goku (All New for 2024)
- Kung Fu Panda’s Po
- Marshall from PAW Patrol (All New for 2024)
- Monkey D. Luffy
- Opening Macy’s Stars
- Pikachu & Eevee
- The Pillsbury Doughboy
- Pumpkins
- Ronald McDonald
- Sinclair’s Dino
- Smokey Bear
- Snow Crystals
- Spider-Man (All New for 2024)
- SpongeBob SquarePants & Gary
- Stuart the Minion
- Tiptoe
Balloonicles
- Baby Dinos
- Bluey’s Grannies Car (All New for 2024)
- Cookie & Crouton (All New for 2024)
- Go Bowling (All New for 2024)
- Lox & Java Trycaloon (All New for 2024)
- Mouse King
- Nutcracker
Adding to the parade’s charm was the legendary Al Roker, who marked his 30th year as host. Roker’s cheerful energy and dedication shone through, even in the rain, bringing smiles to the crowd. His enduring presence has become synonymous with the Thanksgiving Day Parade, making him a beloved figure in this iconic celebration.
Jimmy Fallon, accompanied by The Roots, delivered an energetic performance that kept the crowd’s spirits high. Known for his humor and charisma, Fallon’s lively antics, including wearing sunglasses in the rain, brought a touch of levity to the event. His performance was among the many highlights that added to the parade’s festive atmosphere.
The parade also featured various performances, from Broadway stars to marching bands, showcasing the diverse talent that the event celebrates. A minor mishap by a Riverdance performer who slipped on the rain-slicked pavement did little to detract from the awe-inspiring performances. The dancer’s quick recovery exemplified the resilience and professionalism of all participants.
Performance Groups
- AUM Dance Creations
- Black Haus Creative
- BOSS Kids
- Circus Vazquez
- Graham 2 from the Martha Graham School
- Indigenous Enterprise
- Kilgore College Rangerettes
- La Fuerza Dance Company
- MOVE|NYC| Young Professionals Ensemble
- Riverdance 30 — The New Generation
- Spirit of America Cheer
- Spirit of America Dance Stars
Marching Bands
- Avon Marching Black & Gold
- The Carolina Band of The University of South Carolina
- East Tennessee State University Marching Buccaneers
- Flower Mound High School Marching Band
- The Lake Hamilton High School Marching Band — The Power Band of Arkansas
- Macy’s Great American Marching Band
- The Majestic Marching Cardinals of Jonesboro High School
- New York City Police Department Marching Band
- The Pride of West Virginia — The Mountaineer Marching Band
- Sioux Falls Lincoln High School “Patriot” Marching Band
- University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade wouldn’t be complete without its elaborate floats. This year’s lineup included whimsical creations that transported viewers into imaginative worlds. The floats, combined with the music and choreography, painted a vivid picture of holiday joy and creativity. Here is the complete list of 34 Floats:
Floats
- 1–2–3 Sesame Street
- Big City Cheer
- Big Red Shoe Car
- Big Turkey Spectacular
- Birds of a Feather Stream Together
- The Brick-Changer
- Camp Snoopy
- Candy Cosmos
- Colossal Wave of Wonder
- Deck the Halls
- Dora’s Fantastical Rainforest
- Fantasy Chocolate Factory
- Geoffrey’s Dazzling Dance Party
- Gift of Freedom
- Harvest in the Valley
- Heartwarming Holiday Countdown
- Macy’s SantaLand Express
- Macy’s Winter Wonderland in Central Park
- Magic Meets the Seas
- Palace of Sweets
- Pasta Knight
- Rocking Giraffe
- Rocking Horse
- Rocking Flamingo
- Rocking Lobster
- Rocking Moose
- Santa’s Sleigh
- SpongeBob SquarePants Carriage
- Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- Tom Turkey
- Universal’s Merry Moment
- Wednesday’s Feast
- The Wondership
- Wondrous World of Wildlife
Despite the challenges posed by the rain, the event went on without a hitch. Performers, handlers, and organizers worked tirelessly to ensure the parade was a success, demonstrating the commitment and hard work that went into making this annual tradition a reality.
Performers
- Alex Warren
- Ariana Madix
- Bishop Briggs
- Charli D’Amelio
- Chlöe
- Coco Jones
- Cole Escola
- Dan + Shay
- Dasha
- Idina Menzel
- Jennifer Hudson
- Jimmy Fallon & The Roots
- Joey McIntyre
- Kylie Cantrall
- Kylie Minogue
- Lea Salonga
- Liza Colón-Zayas
- Loud Luxury
- Natti Natasha
- New York Liberty & Ellie the Elephant
- Rachel Platten
- Roman Mejia
- Sebastián Yatra
- The Temptations
- Tiler Peck
- T-Pain
- Walker Hayes
- The War and Treaty
Clown Crews
- Alphabet Clowns
- Aviator Clowns
- Baseball All-Star Clowns
- Birthday Party Clowns
- Breakfast Clowns
- Camper Clowns
- Car Wash Clowns
- City Tourist Clowns
- Coconutty Clowns
- Corny-Copia Clowns
- Funny Bone Medical Team
- Funny Farm Clowns
- Funny Firefighter Brigade
- Funny Flurry Clowns
- Half-Baked Holiday Sweets
- Holiday Clowns
- Keystone Cops
- Macy’s Superheroes
- Malt Shop Clowns
- Nutty-Cracker Ballet Clowns
- Nutty Professor Einsteins & Wacky Graduates
- Photographer Clowns
- Santa’s Elfen Helpers
- Silly Seaside Clowns & Sailors
- Sleepy Clowns
- Toy Box Clowns
- Turkey Tech Players & Sports Fans
- Viking Clowns
The parade has once again proven its ability to unite communities and bring people together to celebrate the holiday season. Its unwavering charm continues to capture the hearts of audiences across the nation.
Please visit their website for more information about Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
For more information about Al Roker, please visit his website.
For more information about Jimmy Fallon, please visit his Wikipedia page.
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All photos captured by Sal Sayed
All photos captured by Chia-Ta Tsai