Macy’s 2020 Thanksgiving Day Parade: How to watch today in all time zones

Thanksgiving It’s going to look a lot different in 2020, and that includes the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. But the holiday will be spectacular and will continue to be broadcast live so home chefs can tune in as they prepare socially isolated turkey dinners. The parade will be shown on NBC 9 a.m. to noon in all time zones. Here’s how to follow and what to expect.

What has changed?

Macy’s has partnered with New York City to try to secure this year’s parade without sacrificing sight.

“To avoid crowds of spectators gathering on our traditional 2.5-mile route in New York, we shortened the route to focus exclusively on the final leg of our annual ride,” a company spokesman said. said in a statement. “On Thanksgiving Day, we present balloons, floats, performances signed by our annual celebration and announce Santa’s arrival in front of Macy’s famous flagship, 34th Street, to our NBC National Television Special.”

In other words, don’t head to the store, New York residents. Stay home and watch balloons and floats on TV or online.

The company will also reduce the number of participants, test them for COVID-19, and pre-record live broadcasts. Participants will wear a mask and social distance, student marching bands will not join this year, and the annual Thanksgiving Eve balloon inflation celebration will not be held.

There is still a selection of giant character balloons, but instead of being flown by 80-100 human handlers, they are flown by special vehicles with fewer vehicles.

What to look for

So much for Pikachu

Everyone needs to be captured: Spectators can see a dancing Pikachu and a huge Pikachu balloon. And there is a special reason for the Pikachu passion, but for the Pokémon Society does not say what until the parade begins. This is the 20th consecutive year that a Pikachu balloon will be part of the parade.

The best of Broadway

Don’t throw your shot. Performers include the highly successful musicals Hamilton, as well as other musicals, including Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of Temptations, Jagged Little Pill, and Mean Girls. Radio City Rockettes will also perform.

Duel in the festive film

Lifelong celebratory films have many dedicated fans, and for the first time this year, the network is taking part in the parade. Its float resembles a charming small-town square like in many movies and has enough (fake, we think) snow to make 9,000 snowballs. Tori Kelly performs on the swim.

But maybe you prefer Hallmark Channel holiday movies? This network offers a float that resembles a 3D Christmas countdown calendar, with surprises behind each December date, a central fireplace and a performance by Pentatonix.

Meet the new boss

From the 2010 book, 2017 film and 2018 Netflix series, the business-friendly Boss Baby brings a big head and serious demeanor to the parade. There will be a new balloon this year that will spread early hype to the planned 2021 big-screen sequel, The Boss Baby: Family Business.

Tom and Jerry

There is a combined live / animated Tom and Jerry film in 2021, assuming the epidemic allows. The famous fighting cat and mouse is having a comic swim at the parade this year. In keeping with the duo’s slap-simple history, their swimmer is designed to look like it has collapsed and has gags where Tom inflates. Meowza!

How and when to watch

The parade will be shown on NBC on Thursday from 9 a.m. in all time zones.

You can also view it online. The Verizon sponsor broadcasts the show live Twitter and YouTube. The company encourages fans to tweet relevant family photos using the #VerizonLive and #MacysParade hashtags to get a chance at the live broadcast.

If you’re watching on your mobile device, you can check out the Parade portal, where you can view a 360-degree view of the show.