With ten million spectators expected to line the streets of New York City to witness the 137th running of the 85th Thanksgiving Day Parade, organisers are warning against heavy crowds and tailbacks along Central Park West and 59th Street during the 2016 event.
More than 300 performers and 44 floats will march down 2.5km of Manhattan streets on Wednesday, November 22, to wish millions of Americans and a few hundred million global viewers “Merry Christmas” and “Happy Thanksgiving” – organizers of the landmark event say.
A 12-minute live telecast will air on NBC from 10am to 12pm ET and from 7pm to 8pm ET, and a PBS broadcast is set for nationwide audiences (8pm to 9pm ET). The show will also be available for NBC’s online-delivered subscription service, NBC Live Extra.
“The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most beloved holiday traditions in America and one of the most iconic parades in the world,” said Patrice Andrews, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Macy’s. “This year’s celebration will honor Thanksgiving and America’s holiday season as one huge celebration, with the entire nation watching.”
Here’s how to watch the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:
To watch the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade online, search for “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2016” on the Internet Broadcasting Exchange. The show will be streamed live on the following YouTube channels, www.mlive.com/macysparade and www.youtube.com/macysparade.
Featured Image – Getty Images / Anthony Smothers
Like how they’re trying to attract more viewers online and to cell phones? Do you think you could possibly survive the exhaustion of the streets of Manhattan, no matter what you’re dressed as? Well, get on it, nine The Parade will be here to keep you company (9-11am ET).
That’s the official link to NBC’s Thanksgiving Day Parade online. You don’t have to buy your tickets to get the webcast, it’s free.
There’s a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Parade cell phone app for $4.99 that offers live broadcast video to your phone along with other related special content and features.
The NBC National Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday, November 24 on NBC at 9-11am ET. You can watch that too, and the NBC Local Thanksgiving Day Parade will air Thursday, November 24 at 10-11am ET.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the longest-running holiday tradition in New York City and the world. Check out our slideshow of vintage images from the parade.
There’s even a story about how they’ve been busily practising for the 84th parade (thanks to Dan Patrick, for the recap).