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How Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be different this year

By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

NEW YORK — The coronavirus pandemic has brought changes, if not full cancellations, for most events in 2020.

But the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is still on.

Like almost any other event, there will be changes to make sure that people can mark the occasion and remain healthy.

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The parade will have no spectators lining the streets of Manhattan. Instead, it will be broadcast only, the “Today” show reported.

The parade won’t march for the 2 1/2 mile route, but will instead be staged in front of Macy’s Herald Square flagship at 34th Street, The New York Times reported.

The balloons will be tethered to anchor vehicles, not pulled by hundreds of handlers.

There will be entertainment like normal.

Performers will all be tested for COVID-19 and will have wellness checks. The performances will be done at a social distance with performers wearing protective equipment.

Scheduled to appear, but subject to change:

  • Lauren Alaina
  • Jimmy Allen and Noah Cyrus
  • Ally Brooke
  • Sofia Carson
  • CNCO
  • Jimmy Fallon and the Roots
  • Karol G.
  • Christopher Jackson and the cast and Muppets from “Sesame Street”
  • Tori Kelly
  • Patti LaBelle
  • Ella Mai
  • Miss America 2020 Camille Schrier
  • Leslie Odom Jr.
  • Keke Palmer
  • Dolly Parton
  • Pentatonix
  • Bebe Rexha
  • Jordin Sparks
  • Sebastián Yatra
  • Brett Young

Despite Broadway being dark because of COVID-19, artists will appear during the parade.

Casts from “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Time of The Temptations," “Hamilton: The Musical,” “Jagged Little Pill” and “Mean Girls” are scheduled to appear. The shows have been closed since March, the Times reported.

They will be joined by the Big Apple Circus, the NYPD Police Band, the West Point Marching Band, Zeta Phi Beta’s step skills and the Macy’s Singing Christmas Tree.

Santa Claus and the Rockettes will help roll out the holiday season.

But not all of the normal performances will the broadcast. High school and college marching bands will not appear in person, instead, those invited to take part in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade have had their performance deferred to 2021.

Macy’s Parade will step off on NBC and Telemundo at 9 a.m. on Nov. 26. It will be rebroadcast from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. that same day, “Today” reported.

To go with the broadcast, Verizon and NBC Universal will have a live stream from along the parade route that will allow for personalized messages and co-viewing experiences on Verizon’s Twitter and YouTube pages, “Today” reported.

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