November 28 marks the 93nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, kicking off at 9AM ET.
From celebrity sightings to stories-high balloons to Broadway performances, the annual holiday tradition marches through the streets of Manhattan and is broadcast nationwide on NBC and CBS. Hosted on NBC by the Today Show’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, and Al Roker, the Parade lands in front of Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street.
Want to watch it live and in person—the way theatre fans like it? Here’s what you need to know about scouting out the best location and tips for attending. Don’t forget to follow Playbill on Instagram and on Snapchat.
PRE-PARADE FUN
Crowds pack it in around the perimeter of the Museum of Natural History (mainly lining 77th and 81st Streets) 1–8 PM November 27 to see the balloon inflation up close.
The viewing loop around the museum takes at least 45 minutes to complete.
Here’s a hack: Visit the Museum during the day so that upon your exit you can view the balloons—taking you on a different path than other visitors, with an edge on timing.
The parade stretches for 2.5 miles from 77th Street to Macy’s Herald Square on 34th Street, going down Central Park West until it reaches Columbus Circle at 59th Street, where it will turn east.
The parade marches on 59th Street/Central Park South from Eighth Avenue towards Sixth Avenue and then turns south on Sixth.
It continues down Sixth Avenue until it hits 34th Street, where it turns west and walks one avenue.
The parade finishes at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue.
WATCH IN PERSON
If you plan to watch in person you must arrive early. Reportedly, people start camping out at prime spots along Central Park West at 6AM. The parade begins marching at 9AM.
Great views can be had on Central Park West between 75th and 59th Streets.
There is no viewing along Central Park South.
If you wish to arrive later, we recommend watching on Sixth Avenue between 59th and 38th Streets. These streets tend to be less crowded and boast wider sidewalks.
Know parade entrances. Many streets will be closed off. This is last year’s list of street closures from the New York Department of Transportation, which will likely be similar for this year.
38th Street to 34th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues are restricted areas due to filming. You will not be able to enter.
Avoid the 34th Street Herald Square and Penn Station subway stations.
For spectators with special needs, check out the Young Adult Institute website. While tickets are sold out for the designated viewing area, you can join a waitlist for tickets and check out helpful FAQs.
Grandstand tickets for access to the bleachers for stage viewing in front of Macy’s—like the Broadway shows—are not available for the general public.
LINEUP Broadway Shows Slated to Perform These performances take place in front of Macy’s in the restricted viewing area. You will not be able to see them on the parade route. They air in the 9AM hour (in all time zones) on the national broadcast.
Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner Billy Porter atop Rexy in the City float from COACH
Grammy-winning Black Eyed Peas on the NHL Most Valuable Hockey Mom float from MassMutual/NHL
Grammy Hall of Famers Chicago (the band) will ride the Heartwarming Holiday Countdown float from Hallmark Channel
American Country Music Award winner Chris Janson will enter aboard the Harvest in the Valley float from Green Giant
Country music star Chris Young will be seen on Mount Rushmore’s American Pride float from South Dakota Department of Tourism
Grammy winner Ciara will sing aboard the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles float from Nickelodeon
Pop star and Broadway alum Debbie Gibson will perform aboard Shimmer and Shine from Nickelodeon
Former NASA astronauts Dr. Janet L. Kavandi and Kay Hire will be featured on Snoopy’s Doghouse from Peanuts Worldwide
Tony Award winner Idina Menzel returns to the parade, this time on the Deck the Halls float from Balsam Hill
Nickelodeon star Josh Dela Cruz appears on the Blues Clues & You! float from Nickelodeon
Grammy winner Kelly Rowland rolls in on Toy House of Marvelous Milestones from New York Life
Broadway and Glee alum Lea Michele takes her spot on the Central Park float from Macy’s
Grammy nominee Natasha Bedingfield appears on the Fantasy Chocolate Factory float from Kinder
K-pop phenomenon NCT 127 enters aboard The Brick-Changer from The LEGO Group
Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin greets viewers atop the Big City Cheer! float from Spirit of America Productions
Billboard Latin Music Award winner Ozuna will sing from the Parade Day Mischief float from Sour Patch Kids Candy
Country singer-songwriter Tenille Townes performs from the Home Sweet Home float from Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
12-year-old rapper That Girl Lay Lay takes her spot aboard the Universal Playground from Universal Kids
Best-selling American girl group of all time TLC performs from Splashing Safari Adventure from Kalahar Resorts and Conventions
New Balloons
Snoopy gets a makeover for 2019 as he debuts as Astronaut Snoopy. He measures up at 49 feet tall, 43 feet long, and 29 feet wide.
In honor of Netflix’s new show, Green Eggs and Ham, gets a float this year, featuring Guy, Sam, and the titular dish.
From artist Yayoi Kusama, the new float Love Flies Up to the Sky debuts in this year’s parade.
Making his first appearance since 1993, Smokey Bear returns to the Parade to celebrate his 75th birthday.
SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary appear in a newly designed float commemorating the character’s 20th birthday.
GENERAL TIPS FOR ATTENDING THE PARADE
Public transportation is your best bet to navigate the city, as Thanksgiving Day is marked as a gridlock alert day in New York City. The MTA will follow a Sunday schedule, and bus service may be affected by street closures. Be sure to plan your route in advance and check the MTA website for closures and delays. For folks coming from just outside the city, Metro North and LIRR add extra trains.
Scout places nearby your “campsite” to grab food or coffee or go to the bathroom, but be aware that many establishments won’t allow you to run in and use the bathroom—you’ll have to sit down and eat. The Macy’s website has a handy coffee, food, and restroom feature on its interactive map.
Bring snacks! Load up on water, bars, and whatever else you’ll need to be comfortable for a few hours before Thanksgiving dinner.
Bundle up. It gets cold in New York in November, and you don’t want to be stuck freezing. Bring a hat, scarf, and gloves just in case, and be sure to check the weather the day before in case you need rain gear.
Bring a portable phone charger and any cell phone accessories you’ll want to document the day and communicate with your party.
Have a meet-up plan. In case you and your party get separated, make sure you all know where you’re headed so you can find each other.
Rest assured there will be lots of security at the parade to ensure everyone has a safe experience. Look out for directions from volunteers and security and expect some security checks.
WATCH ON TV
The official Parade broadcast begins at 9 AM in all time zones Thanksgiving Day on NBC, and will be available in Spanish on Univision. You can also stream the feed on NBC.com and the NBC mobile app. Or, watch on the NBC channel via Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.
Terry Crews and Lilly Singh host the exclusive Verizon 360 Livestream, featuring views from 360 cameras places at multiple points along the parade route. Access the 360 Livestream on Verizon’s YouTube page beginning 8:30AM ET.
CBS will host its own broadcast, The Thanksgiving Day Parade, beginning at 9 AM. Featuring specially taped performances from Broadway shows, the broadcast will be hosted by Entertainment Tonight host Kevin Frazier and correspondent (and former Radio City Rockette) Keltie Knight. The CBS broadcast will feature an exclusive performance by Miranda Lambert. (CBS has not yet announced their special lineup of Broadway performances.)
The CBS version is also streamable via CBS All Access or the CBS channel on Hulu+ Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV.
Stay tuned to Playbill as we will post videos of the performances after they air on television.
Bookmark this article! Playbill will update with additions and announcements to ensure a smooth Parade day. Happy Thanksgiving!
Broadway legendBernadette Peterswas honored with the Craig ZadanTheatre for Life Awardby theEducational Theatre FoundationETF at the annual star-studdedThespians Go HollywoodGala
The Actors Fund presented a benefit reading of Charles Busch’s Tony-nominated play The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife November 18 at 7:30 PM at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
The evening starred Busch in the title role, which was originally played by Tony winner Linda Lavin. In this reading, Lavin played the role of Frieda, the part created by the late Shirl Bernheim, with original cast members Michele Lee, Tony Roberts, and Anil Kumar in their original roles. Original director Lynne Meadow helmed the reading.
Originally produced by Manhattan Theatre Club, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Stuart Thompson, and Douglas S. Cramer, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife ran November 2, 2000–September 15, 2002, playing 25 previews and 777 performances. The show received Tony nominations for Best Play, Best Actress in a Play (Lavin), and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Lee).
Flip through photos from the reading below:
Inside the Tale of the Allergist’s Wife Actors Fund Reading
Inside the Tale of the Allergist’s Wife Actors Fund Reading
9 PHOTOS
Linda Lavin, Michele Lee, Charles Busch, Tony Roberts, and Anil Kumar Rebecca J Michelson
Michele Lee, Charles Busch, Lynne Meadow, Tony Roberts, Linda Lavin, and Anil Kumar Rebecca J Michelson
Tony Roberts, Linda Lavin, Charles Busch, Michele Lee, and Anil Kumar Rebecca J Michelson
Linda Lavin, Charles Busch, Michele Lee, and Anil Kumar Rebecca J Michelson
Tony Roberts, Linda Lavin, and Charles Busch Rebecca J Michelson
Linda Lavin, Charles Busch, and Michele Lee Rebecca J Michelson
Tony Roberts, Linda Lavin, Charles Busch, Michele Lee, and Anil Kumar Rebecca J Michelson
Charles Busch Rebecca J Michelson
Anil Kumar, Michele Lee, Charles Busch, and Tony Roberts Rebecca J Michelson
Aries (March 21–April 19) Chicago Fiery passion, tenacity, and all that jazz? It must be an Aries! Unafraid of tapping in to your inner vixen, there’s no question that you’ll resonate with the Merry Murderesses of the Cook County Jail. You’re competitive and driven, which means when you set your mind to achieve something, you do—no matter what it takes. Aries, you’re known for being bold and brash, often acting on your impulses, and oozing confidence. With the sultry, Fosse-style choreography and Kander and Ebb’s alluring, seductive score, Chicago will razzle dazzle you.
Bebe Neuwirth and company in Chicago.Dan Chavkin
Taurus (April 20–May 20) The Phantom of the Opera Taurus, of all the signs, you are the one most known for having classic taste. You are drawn to beautiful things and can’t resist a treat for the senses, so The Phantom of the Opera’s lavish music, opulent sets, heart-stopping effects, and glittering costumes are bound to satisfy. You’re also sentimental and nostalgic, and can’t resist watching a tried-and-true favorite “just one more time.” Plus, as much you try not to show it, you have a romantic side, and this show’s unforgettable love-triangle will undoubtedly pull at your heartstrings every time.
Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford in The Phantom of the Opera.
Gemini (May 21–June 20) Wicked Gemini, you’re brainy, hilarious, highly sociable, and you live each day like you’re trying to “have a lifetime of fun.” You love a feel-good show full of dazzling effects and catchy songs, which is why we gave you Wicked. You’re an especially great communicator, so we know you’ll be fascinated by the show’s thoughtful exploration of the many ways rumor, popularity, and propaganda can change minds and influence people. As a Gemini, you of all people know there at least two sides to every story, and will enjoy the show’s debate about who is really “wicked.”
Cancer (June 21–July 22) Rent Witty, cheerful, and fun, Cancer, you’re one of the most beloved signs in the zodiac because you’re able to find common ground with all sorts of people. Much like the characters of Rent, you love the arts and have an appreciation for the many ways in which storytelling can teach us about our humanity. You are passionate about being true to yourself and living out loud, and admire how the denizens of Alphabet City refuse to be confined by convention. Also, you’re a sucker for a story about a chosen family—how people can love each other with as much (or more) intensity and acceptance than those they’re related to. Of all the signs, you know the importance of measuring your life in love.
The original Broadway cast of Rent. Joan Marcus
Leo (July 23–August 22) The Lion King “I’m gonna be a mighty king, so enemies: beware!” There’s a reason Leo is represented with a lion! You possess the same bravery and boldness as the King of the Jungle, topped with an exuberant and dramatic flair. You don’t go looking for the spotlight, the spotlight finds you. It’s true that your charisma and confidence makes you a natural leader, but it’s your big heart that makes your loyal and protective of your closest crew. The stunning spectacle of TheLion King‘s puppetry and visual aesthetic plus the score of familiar, beloved songs will make your heart swell.
Jason Raize and the original company Joan Marcus
Virgo (August 23–September 22) 42nd Street As an earth sign, you are more than willing to put in the hard work to achieve success. In fact, you know that your level of hard work will make you stand out amongst the rest. Plus, as a mutable sign, you have a sharp attention to detail and ability to navigate tricky situations. You can see past shimmering facades and intoxicating situations in order to get things done. But that doesn’t mean you can’t—or don’t like to—indulge in a bit of fun! With 42nd Street, you’ll enjoy getting a glimpse behind the curtain and exploring the layers of what it takes to put on a show (you’ll also be charmed by the cast of characters who make it happen). So, come on and have a listen to the lullaby of Broadway.
Libra (September 23–October 22) Beauty and the Beast It’s a tale as old as time and you’re a hopeless romantic—you love to fall in love, Libra! Ruled by Venus, you appreciate affection, aesthetic, and beauty. But this doesn’t mean you don’t value intellect, in fact, you love a stimulating conversation that allows you to examine situations from new perspectives. Like Belle, you love to get lost in books, daydreaming and tapping into your imagination. Revisiting the adored score of the Disney classic will leave you with butterflies in your stomach, which we know you will enjoy.
Susan Egan and Terrence Mann Joan Marcus
Scorpio (October 23–November 21) Grease! We’ve got chills and they are multiplyin’! Oh, Scorpio, the power you’re supplyin’ is electifyin’, but you already knew that. Sandy’s climatic transformation into the dark and mysterious “bad Sandy” at the end of Grease! has left you transfixed since you first experienced the reveal. Admit it, how many times have you mentally recited the lyrics “You’re The One That I Want” when pursuing a potential relationship? You like the intensity that comes with drama and danger, Scorpio, and high school is the perfect place for those to brew. It’s never a bad idea to relive the thrills of Rydell High and enjoy its catchy, toe-tappin’ songs. Get ready to do the hand jive!
A scene from the original New York production of Grease.
Sagittarius (November 22–December 21) Mamma Mia! In all you do, you burn brightly, Sagittarius. You are fiercely independent, resilient, joyful, and unafraid to dramatically change your life on a whim––not unlike the mother-daughter duo at center of Mamma Mia! Sophie and Donna Sheridan are lighthearted and spirited people who aren’t afraid to buck convention in order to blaze their own trails. You’re always one for spectacle, which the show has in spades, and your energetic, sentimental nature will adore the catchy ABBA tunes peppered throughout the story. And that’s the name of the game, Sagittarius.
Karen Mason, Louise Pitre, and Judy Kaye in Mamma Mia!Joan Marcus
Capricorn (December 22–January 19) A Chorus Line 5-6-7-8! You of all people know what it is to feel so much love and passion for your career, Capricorn. You’re patient and reliable, which is why you’re always ready to climb the next mountain when it comes to your goals. That isn’t to say that you don’t have emotions as well (isn’t that what people like to say?). You’re able to share your truth, you just have to trust who you are with in order to do so. So yes, the ambition and perseverance of the theatre performers seen in A Chorus Line is a perfect Capricorn match, but it’s those moments of characters sharing personal stories and vulnerable secrets that you’ll really resonate with.
A scene from the original Broadway production of A Chorus Line. Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
Aquarius (January 20–February 18) Cats Whimsical, intelligent, and free-spirited, there’s never a dull moment with you, Aquarius. No one ever knows what to expect from you, and truthfully, you even surprise yourself most of the time. People may think you’re strange or eccentric, but it’s only because you’re often thinking on a whole other plane. You love spectacle, abstract ideas, and are always impressed with displays of skill and artistic prowess, which is why we had to assign you Cats. What other sign shares more in common with a show about a tribe of cats hosting a dance-off in order to be chosen to ascend to the afterlife? Like Cats, you revel in your strangeness without apology, and you love celebrations of people (or Jellicles!) coming together.
Terrence Mann (center) in the original Broadway production of Cats. Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
Pisces (February 19–March 20) Les Misérables Pisces, you’re earnest, loving, and expressive. Those who know you best would say you have “a heart full of love.” We gave you Les Misérables because we know your empathetic and insightful nature will be captivated by this show’s complex and well-drawn characters, as well as the many ways in which their stories interconnect. You feel it ALL, Pisces, so the rich orchestrations and heartfelt lyrics to such songs as “Stars,” “One My Own,” “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” will affect you in the best way. Les Misérables is one of those shows that “hurts so good” and at the end of the day, is bound to be one of your favorites (if it isn’t already).
In this episode, Ben and Daniel talk to legendary writer and New York nightlife fixture Michael Musto about the 1968 album ‘Diana Ross and The Supremes Sing and Perform Funny Girl.’ They also discuss ‘The Wiz,’ Motown, Barbra Streisand, ‘Mahogany,’ Liza Minnelli, Madonna, ‘Evita,’ Nancy Walker, Mary Wilson, ‘Follies,’ and Marilyn Maye. Michael talks about the first time he saw the movie ‘Funny Girl,’ as well as his attempt to see Diana Ross live in Central Park. Michael can be seen performing live at venues around New York City, and his weekly column can be found on NewNowNext.
Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth, who returned to Broadway November 8 for an eight-performance concert engagement celebrating the release of her new album, For the Girls, plays her final performance at the Nederlander Theatre November 17.
FortheGirls is the Wicked star’s tribute to music’s most passionate women—those who have influenced her Tony-winning career.
Read what critics thought of Chenoweth’s latest Broadway outing by clicking here.
The limited run also features musical staging by Tyler Hanes, lighting design by Matt Berman, and sound design by Berman and Bob Hanlon. Vocalists include Crystal Monee Hall and Marissa Rosen.
The Steve Tyrell-produced album, now available on Concord Records, features such tunes as “The Way We Were,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “The Man That Got Away.”
About the album, Chenoweth said in an earlier statement, “I really wanted to pay homage to all the women singers who have influenced me over the years. I wanted to make something that men could also enjoy, but this is by the girls and for the girls. I wanted to pay homage to these women and do them proud, but I also wanted to put my own stamp on it. And I think I was able to do that.”
Special guests throughout the run included a bevy of fellow former Glindas and more. The final performance is scheduled to feature Amanda Jane Cooper, Jessica Vosk, Shoshana Bean, Mario Cantone, and composer Stephen Schwartz.
A digital lottery, with a limited number of $45 tickets available for each show, is available by clicking here.
