OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Last Saturday, Ocala kicked off the holiday season with the Junior Sunshine Parade during Light Up Ocala. Up next, don’t miss the Ocala Christmas Parade on Dec. 14.
Meanwhile, the holiday spirit takes center stage nationwide with the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 8:30 a.m. This cherished tradition for many promises millions a dazzling display of character balloons, fantastical floats, star-studded performances, and the grand arrival of Santa Claus.
Highlights of the Parade
Superstar Performances:
This year’s lineup includes some of the biggest names in entertainment:
- Jennifer Hudson, Grammy, Oscar, and Emmy winner
- Kylie Minogue, global pop icon and Grammy winner
- Billy Porter, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner
- Musical acts including Dan + Shay, Idina Menzel, T-Pain, and The Temptations
- Broadway performances from Death Becomes Her, Hell’s Kitchen, The Outsiders, and the iconic Radio City Rockettes®
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Star-Studded Appearances:
Special guests include:
- Actress Alison Brie, kicking off the parade as the Macy’s Gift Guide
- WNBA champions, the New York Liberty, with Ellie the Elephant
- Choreographed performances led by renowned artist Shay Latukolan
New Character Balloons and Floats:
Debuting this year are six stunning new character balloons and floats, including:
- Minnie Mouse by Disney
- Goku from Dragon Ball
- Marshall from Paw Patrol
- Candy Cosmos by Haribo
- Wednesday’s Feast by Netflix
- Magic Meets the Seas by Disney Cruise Line
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Marching Bands and Performance Groups
The parade will feature 11 talented marching bands from across the U.S., including:
- University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (Amherst, MA)
- Flower Mound High School Marching Band (Flower Mound, TX)
- The Majestic Marching Cardinals (Morrow, GA)
Dance troupes like Riverdance and Indigenous Enterprise will add flair, while the Spirit of America Dance and Cheer ensemble brings energy with 700 participants.
Parade Viewing Information
- Where to Watch: NBC and Peacock from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with an encore at 2:00 p.m.
- Route: The parade travels 2.5 miles from 77th Street to Herald Square.
- Accessibility: Audio description for visually impaired viewers will be available.
For more information, visit macys.com/parade.