They’ve cut the number of participants by almost 90 percent, and the traditional route is a no-no, but Macy’s is planning a spectacular Thanksgiving Parade for 2020.

The 2018 Macy’s Parade. Photo: Gary Hershorn.

Dolly Parton, Pentatonix, Patti Labelle and the New York City Ballet head a stellar list of performers, and there’s the debut of a balloon designed by world-renowned artist Yayoi  Kusama to look forward to. But forget about muffling up in your warmest clothes and heading outside – this year’s Macy’s parade is a virtual feast of fun, to be broadcast on NBC.

The 2019 Macy’s Parade. Photo: Gary Hershorn.

In the midst of the pandemic, all participants will be wearing masks – and keeping appropriately socially distanced – during staging and performances. The college marching bands will be missing from the show, but those chosen this year will have their places assured for the 2021 parade.

And Broadway may be dark right now, but it hasn’t been forgotten, with performances from the casts of Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, Hamilton, Jagged Little Pill, and Mean Girls in the mix. In addition, the show-stopping Radio City Rockettes will bring their signature magic to Herald Square, which is the setting for this unique event that will be reimagined over the course of several days as a television-only production, leading up to the live Thanksgiving Day broadcast.

The 2019 Macy’s Parade. Photo: Gary Hershorn.
The 2019 Macy’s Parade. Photo: Gary Hershorn.
The 2018 Macy’s Parade. Photo: Gary Hershorn.

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