Macy's 96th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade draws huge crowds

96th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation In NY, US

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They’re a bunch of happy turkeys!

Thick crowds of New Yorkers and excited tourists lined the Big Apple’s streets Thursday, soaking up the sun and mild winter weather ahead for the 96th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The quintessential Thanksgiving tradition kicked off on 77th and Central Park West at 9 a.m. to the cheers of spectators waiting to catch a glimpse of classic balloons like Snoopy and Pikachu — and some of this year’s new additions like popular Australian children’s cartoon character, Bluey.

Marisa Lau, a teacher celebrating her 40th birthday all the way from Sacramento, California, has wanted to view the parade in person since she was a little girl.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Lau, sporting a pair of turkey earrings, told The Post from her viewpoint at 53rd and Sixth.

“This is the best Thanksgiving for me. It’s going to be bigger and better than on TV. I can’t wait to wave, cheer and scream. It’s going to bring my inner child back,” the excited spectator said.

The massive crowd drew in both locals and tourists looking to take part in a tradition that for many signals the official start of the holiday season — especially with Santa Claus making a special appearance to close out the event.

The Tom Turkey float — The quintessential Thanksgiving tradition kicked off on 77th and Central Park West at 9 a.m. REUTERS

The self-proclaimed “Queen of Christmas” Mariah Carey even made an appearance.

The superstar singer dazzled in a bright pink gown and bejeweled crown, clutching a crystallized umbrella as she belted out her holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”

Her 11-year-old twins with Nick Cannon, Moroccan and Monroe, flanked their famous mom, dancing to the catchy Christmas tune on giant green gift boxes.

But while the Queen of Christmas’ appearance turned the holiday spirit up a notch, some fans were quick to joke about her “low-energy” performance.

PARADE — New Yorkers woke up bright and early to see the parade. REUTERS

“Mariah Carey is getting millions right now to just stand there with her umbrella and honestly I’m not mad. Mad respect,” one Twitter user quipped.

“Mariah Carey lip syncing in place with this umbrella at 78% energy while her dancers perform like their lives hang in the balance on the Thanksgiving Parade is pure CAMP!!,” another joked.

Meanwhile, children were yelling, screaming, waving and calling out the names of their favorite characters as they floated or drove by on parade floats. At one point the festive crowd began to do the wave.

Macys Thanksgiving parade balloon — More than 50 million viewers typically tune in from home.Paul Martinka

macys thanksgiving dancers — The parade marked Macy’s 96th annual celebration. Paul Martinka

macy's thanksgiving parade — The route runs 2.5 miles from 77th Street and Central Park West south to 34th Street-Herald Square.Paul Martinka

macys parade crowd — Thousands lined up to see the parade.Paul Martinka

macys parade — Five new floats debuted in this year’s parade.Paul Martinka

Paula Abdul — Paula Abdul performed during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.GC Images

Jordin Sparks — Jordin Sparks performed a song at the Thanksgiving Parade.Getty Images

2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — Flula Borg, Adam DeVine, and Sarah Hyland attend the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 24, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images/Noam Galai

“I want to see the Bluey balloon,” Tsehai Burns, a 15-year-old from Flushing, Queens, told The Post. The teen was watching an episode of the show on her cellphone before the parade began.

The tenth grader, who has Crohn’s disease, recalled how the show inspired her when she was hospitalized from Halloween to Christmas Eve in 2019 with a lower intestine infection.

“I couldn’t eat. I was very skinny. I had to get surgery,” she said, adding that she is now in better health. Burns’ face lit up upon seeing her favorite character, Josh, standing on the float before the Bluey balloon.

“I shouted out his name. I wanted to take a selfie with him. He is my idol from when I was in the hospital. I had to get surgery and I watched him a lot. Josh helped me through my struggles in the hospital. Whenever I was sad, I watched Josh.”

Macys Thanksgiving parade — The parade features balloons that delight all ages.Paul Martinka

macys thanksgiving parade — The parade kicked off at 9 a.m.Stephen Yang

Macys Thanksgiving parade — 5,000 volunteers help get the show on the road.Paul Martinka

macys thanksgiving parade — The quintessential Thanksgiving tradition kicked off on 77th and Central Park West at 9 a.m.Paul Martinka

macys thanksgiving parade — One spectator from California called attending the parade “a dream come true.”Paul Martinka

macys parade — Children were yelling, screaming, waving and calling out the names of their favorite characters as they floated or drove by on parade floats. Paul Martinka

Jimmy Fallon — Jimmy Fallon waved to spectators after his performance. REUTERS

Joss Stone — Joss Stone gestures during the 96th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.REUTERS

Santa Claus — Santa Claus brought his Christmas spirit to the Turkey day parade. Getty Images

Dawna Tsitrian — Dawna Tsitrian celebrates her 80th birthday from Rapid City, South Dakota. This is the first time she attended the Thanksgiving Parade.Georgett Roberts/NY Post

Dawna Tsitrian, a substitute teacher from Rapid City, South Dakota, came with her daughter to celebrate her 80th birthday.

“I’ve always wanted to come since the 60s when we had a TV. I started watching it on my black-and-white TV — it was a little TV — and now I’m experiencing it live,” the young at heart Tsitrian said. “I chose to come on my 80th because you gotta move and grove.”

But not everything went off without a hitch.

Revelers watching the festivities on their TV screens had to cringe through 30 seconds of dead air when gaffe-prone President Biden, 80, and First Lady Jill Biden called in to NBC’s broadcast with Dylan Dreyer.

“Can you hear me, Mr. President,” Dreyer awkwardly asks as Biden can be quietly heard mumbling to the First Lady.

macys thanksgiving parade — The massive crowd has drawn in both New Yorkers and tourists looking to take part in a tradition that for many signals the official start of the holiday season.Stephen Yang

macys thanksgiving parade — Macy’s beloved parade was back last year after going virtual during the COVID pandemic.Stephen Yang

macys thanksgiving parade — This year’s parade will feature 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups and a slew of musical stars. Stephen Yang

macys thanksgiving parade — Bluey was one of the new balloons to debut this year.Paul Martinka

Santa Claus — Santa Claus left the North Pole to say hello at the Macy’s Parade. Paul Martinka

Gloria Estefan — Gloria Estefan waves to the crowd after her performance. Paul Martinka

Jordin Sparks — Jordin Sparks waves at the crowd from a Thanksgiving float. Paul Martinka

Pitch Pefect — The “Pitch Perfect” cast says hello to the crowd.Paul Martinka

Officers — Officers standby to observe the parade while on duty.Paul Martinka

Ronald McDonald — There were five new floats and four new balloons this year.Paul Martinka

Smokey The Bear — Smokey The Bear is a well known float for the annual parade.Paul Martinka

Marisa Lau — Marisa Lau celebrating her 40th birthday and first Thanksgiving.Georgett Roberts/NY Post

“We’re here!” the commander-in-chief eventually announces, laughing.

Macy’s beloved parade was back last year after going virtual during the COVID pandemic.

The extravaganza this year featured 16 giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 12 marching bands, 700 clowns, 10 performance groups and a slew of musical stars. The parade was put on by the work of over 5,000 volunteers.

The new balloons that hit New York City skies this year, included Bluey, Greg from beloved children’s book “Diary of a Wimp Kid,” the one-eyed Minion, Stuart, and Dino and Baby Dino, an electric green pair of dinosaurs.

Returning balloons included “Astronaut Snoopy,” “The Boss Baby,” Chase from “Paw Patrol,” the Pillsburgy Doughboy, Ronald McDonald, Red Titan from “Ryan’s World,” Papa Smurf from “The Smurfs,” “Spongebob Squarepants” and Pikachu and Eevee from “Pokémon”.