Photo: NBC

For many, we’re already well into the holiday season, but for some Americans… it’s Thanksgiving that really sets their festive plans in motion, so today I bring you news on the 94th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®… and it’s going to look a lot different this year.

Given the state of the world right now, it should come at no surprise that many precautions are being taken to ensure safety during the iconic Thanksgiving Day celebration this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to a tradition that so many hold dear.

So, how is this all moving forward? According to an official website statement:  On Thanksgiving Day, we will showcase our annual celebration’s signature balloons, floats, performances and herald the arrival of Santa Claus, in front of Macy’s famed flagship store on 34th Street for our national television special on NBC. To ensure a safe experience for all involved, we are not marching down the streets of Manhattan this year and instead will bring all the magic of this American tradition to you on television and online. In preparation for this one-of-a-kind celebration, the Macy’s team meticulously reviewed every area of the Parade playbook to put in place enhanced health and safety practices that align with CDC guidelines, as well as local and state government protocols.

The New York Times reports that in addition to traveling just one city block down 34th Street, as opposed to their two-and-a-half-mile route starting at West 77th Street, the streets surrounding the route will be closed off and the floats will be driven by utility vehicles, rather than the usual uniformed handlers, to limit the number of people involved.

There will be many pretaped performances, including Broadway entertainment, and an appearance from a ballerina from the New York City Ballet who will dance as the Sugar Plum Fairy from George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,“ which was canceled this season.

Celebrity talent at the Macy’s Parade will include:
• Ally Brooke
• AJR
• Bebe Rexha
• Brett Young
• Camille Schrier
• CNCO
• Darlene Love
• Dolly Parton
• Ella Mai
• Jimmie Allen
• Jordin Sparks
• Goo Goo Dolls
• Karol G

(L-R) Dolly Parton, CNCO and Leslie Odom Jr (Photos: Macy’s)

(L-R) Patti LaBelle, Pentatonix and Tori Kelly (Photos: Macy’s)

(L-R) Hamilton: An American Musical and Tina Fey’s Mean Girls (Photos: Playbill)

Beloved staples will be included in the show, included a performance from the iconic Radio City Rockettes® and a grand finale from the one-and-only Santa Claus to help us kick off Christmas.

Radio City Rockettes (Photo: NBC)

Among the featured balloons are characters from Netflix’s “The Christmas Chronicles 2”, DreamWorks’ “Boss Baby” and “Trolls”, Red Titan from “Ryan’s World” by Sunlight Entertainment & Pocket.Watch, the Macy’s “Believe” stars and opening stars, Astronaut Snoopy from Peanuts, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” from Abrams Children’s Books, Nickelodeon’s “Paw Patrol” and “Spongebob Square Pants”, Pikachu from Pokemon, the “Pillsbury Doughboy”, McDonald’s “Ronald McDonald”, Sinclair Oil Coporation, “Smokey the Bear”, “The Elf on the Shelf”, “The Nutcracker” from Universal Orlando Resort, and renowned female contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama designed a ‘Love Flies Up to the Sky’ balloon for Macy’s Blue Sky Gallery artwork collection.

Four new floats will make their way down the parade: Jenni-O’s Big Turkey Spectacular, Her Future Is Stem-Sational by Olay, Warner Bros. Pictures’ Tom & Jerry’s Tourist Trap, and Lifetime’s Christmas in Town Square to celebrate 20 years of their original Christmas movies.

Lifetime’s Christmas in Town Square (Photo: Macy’s/Lifetime)

“We are thrilled to welcome Lifetime to our 94th Parade spectacle,” said Jordan Dabby, producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “Our talented and creative Parade Studio team worked hand-in-hand with Lifetime to bring to life this festive new holiday float that will delight millions on Parade morning.”

Lifetime’s Christmas in Town Square float features a quaint cobblestone main street, charming store fronts, lighted lanterns, twinkling icicle lights, Christmas trees, and lots and lots of snow. Reminiscent of a scene from a holiday movie, the display will transport parade viewers to the romantic setting of so many of their favorite holiday stories. Capping the float is gigantic Christmas ornament which will contain a stage featuring a special performance.

“Lifetime is known for its huge annual celebration of the holidays, our It’s a Wonderful Lifetime holiday programming event,” said Amy Winter, EVP and Head of Programming, Lifetime and LMN. “Joining the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, an American tradition in its own right, is the perfect way to continue our efforts to spread the joy and happiness of the season.”

(Photo: NBC)

The Macy’s Parade will air on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (in all time zones) on NBC.

Stay merry!