The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will feature a diverse lineup including Ciara, Foreigner, Lil Jon, and the debut of 'KPop Demon Hunters' characters, along with 32 balloons, floats, marching bands, and celebrity appearances, celebrating its upcoming 100th anniversary.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade achieved a record-breaking viewership for the second consecutive year, with 31.3 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. The parade's live broadcast scored a 5.4 rating among adults 18-49, the highest for any entertainment show since 2021. Other Thanksgiving broadcasts also saw high viewership, including NBC's National Dog Show and NFL games on Fox and NBC.
The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade faced criticism for being chaotic, with disruptions from pro-Palestine protestors and technical blunders involving hosts like Al Roker and Jimmy Fallon. Viewers were unimpressed by Fallon's choice to wear sunglasses in the rain and accused him of lip-syncing. Roker also faced backlash for microphone mishaps and revealing a movie spoiler. The parade's focus on performances over floats and balloons further disappointed audiences, who criticized the broadcast for excessive interviews and commercials.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, was initiated by immigrant employees of Macy's who wanted to blend American Thanksgiving with European parade traditions. Initially featuring live zoo animals, the parade evolved to include helium balloons and became a national symbol, watched by millions. Despite interruptions during WWII and somber moments like JFK's assassination, the parade has grown into a major holiday event, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2023.