Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was aired on November 23 from 8:30 am to 12 pm.

The 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade took place on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, November 23. The 2023 parade created history with 28.5 million record viewers and got a 7.2 rating in the age group of 18-49.

Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker hosted the event. The character balloons that made their debut in 2023 are Beagle Scout Snoopy, Blue Cat & Chugs and Monkey D. Luffy. The parade featured an extensive lineup of performers. The 18 artists are Alex Smith, Amanda Shaw, Ashley Park, Bell Biv DeVoe, Brandy, Cher, Chicago, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Enhypen, En Vogue, Jabari Banks, Jessie James Decker, Jon Batiste, Manuel Turizo, Miss America Grace Stanke, Paul Russell and Pentatonix.

Meanwhile, Beyoncé also made a cameo during NBC’s live broadcast. The parade ended with Cher’s performance. She performed “DJ Play a Christmas Song” from her album Christmas.

History

The 2023 Thanksgiving Day Parade was the 97th, since its inception in 1924. So, let us go through some of the historical facts about this grand parade.

• The inaugural Macy’s Parade was held in 1924. It had no balloons but featured Elephants from the Central Park Zoo.
• In 1927, Felix the Cat was the first ever balloon to feature in the parade.
• The Mickey Mouse balloon made its parade debut in 1934.
• The parade was first televised on a local New York City station in 1939.
• For three consecutive years, 1942, 1943 and 1944, the parade was cancelled due to World War II.
• In 1948, CBS broadcast the parade nationally for the first time.
• Since 1953, NBC has aired the parade every year.

Published by HOLR Magazine