You’d think everyone knows when the parade happens. It’s Thanksgiving, right? But honestly, if you were trying to catch the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade date without checking a calendar, you might have found yourself a bit turned around.
Since Thanksgiving is a "floating" holiday—always the fourth Thursday of November—the actual calendar day shifts every year. In 2024, that date landed on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
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It was a late one.
The Late November Twist
Because 2024’s Thanksgiving was so late in the month, it basically felt like the holiday season was compressed into a tiny window. We’re talking about the latest possible date for the holiday. If you were planning travel or trying to snag a hotel room at the New York Hilton Midtown (one of the prime viewing spots on 6th Avenue), that November 28th date was the North Star for your entire autumn schedule.
The 98th annual march kicked off at its usual time, 8:30 AM ET. But here is where the "what people get wrong" part comes in. Most folks think the parade starts when the TV broadcast hits their living room.
Not quite.
The real action started way earlier. Balloon inflation—which is arguably cooler than the parade itself—happened on Wednesday, November 27. If you weren’t around the American Museum of Natural History on that Wednesday, you missed the birth of a 60-foot Minnie Mouse.
Who Was Actually There?
It wasn't just about the date; it was about the vibe. The 2024 lineup was stacked. We saw some massive debuts and legendary returns.
- Minnie Mouse: Believe it or not, this was her first time as a giant balloon.
- Spider-Man: He swung back into the lineup after a decade-long hiatus.
- Goku: Sporting an all-new design for the anime fans.
- Marshall from PAW Patrol: A hero for every toddler in America.
The weather? Kinda soggy. It rained. But that didn't stop the 3.5 million people who lined the 2.5-mile route from 77th Street all the way down to Herald Square.
Why 2024 Was a Bit Different
Usually, the parade is a well-oiled machine, but 2024 had a sentimental layer to it. It was Hoda Kotb’s final year hosting before her retirement from the Today show. Watching her alongside Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker felt like the end of an era.
Then you had the performances. T-Pain on a giant turkey float? Check. Jennifer Hudson singing "Jingle Bells" right before Santa arrived? Check. Even the Broadway performances were heavy hitters, featuring the casts of Death Becomes Her and The Outsiders.
Navigating the Route (The Insider Way)
If you were there in person on November 28, 2024, you learned quickly that "showing up on time" means you’re late.
The pros arrive at 6:00 AM.
Basically, you have two choices. You either camp out on Central Park West between 75th and 61st Streets, or you brave the chaos of 6th Avenue. The area around Macy’s at 34th Street is mostly a "no-go" for the general public because it’s reserved for the NBC telecast.
Actionable Takeaways for Future Parade Goers
Even though the 2024 date has passed, the mechanics of the event never change. If you're looking toward the 100th anniversary or just next year, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Thursday: Always look for the fourth Thursday in November. Don't assume it's the "last" Thursday; some years have five.
- Book 11 Months Out: If you want a hotel with a parade view, you should have booked it yesterday. Seriously.
- The Wednesday Night Secret: Go to the Upper West Side the day before the parade. Watching the balloons get inflated is free, less crowded than the parade, and you get to see the sheer scale of the engineering.
- Layer Up: November in NYC is a roll of the dice. In 2024, we had rain. Other years, it’s been 15 degrees.
The 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade date of November 28th proved that even with a late start and some raindrops, the spectacle remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of American holiday traditions.
Keep an eye on the calendar for next year—it won't be as late as the 28th, so you'll actually have a few extra days of "holiday spirit" before December hits. Start your planning by looking at the official Macy's parade website or following their social channels around September when the new balloon designs are typically leaked.