It's that time of year again! For many Americans, celebrating Thanksgiving isn't complete without certain key ingredients, which might include turkey, pie and of course, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. NBC has the 86th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade set to air Thursday morning bright and early. What better way to start Thanksgiving than with the parade? Check out a preview for the big event and a list of the people and acts set to be featured.
Whether it's the floats, the marching bands, hosts Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker, or the musical performances, there's plenty to look forward to with this year's parade. As a kid, I was always a big fan of the Broadway performances and that remains to be the case. The Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the few occasions when we get a glimpse of some of the current musicals playing in New York. This year's parade will include performances from Annie, Elf, Bring It On and Nice Work if You Can Get It. As for the list of celebrities expected to appear, they range from the Muppets to Flo Rida to some U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist. Check out the other planned appearances in the list below.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been the nation’s star attraction, and this year, the “Today Show’s” Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie and Al Roker will treat viewers to Thanksgiving’s best entertainment special. Stars joining the festivities this year include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Trace Adkins; Big Apple Circus; Chica and the gang from Sprout; Colbie Caillat; Rachel Crow; Thirza Defoe; Jimmy Fallon & The Roots; Flo Rida; Whoopi Goldberg; Chris Isaak; Carly Rae Jepsen; Karmin; Kidz Bop; Christian Laettner; Sandra Lee; Mannheim Steamroller; Jennette McCurdy; Don McLean; Megan & Liz; Miss USA 2012 – Olivia Culpo; Chris Mullin; the Muppets and cast of Sesame Street; Neon Trees; Power Rangers Megaforce; Cody Simpson; U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists - Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber; The Wanted; and Food Network’s Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. There will be performances from Broadway’s best musicals including “Annie,” “Bring It On,” Rodger + Hammerstein's “Cinderella,” “Elf,” and “Nice Work If You Can Get It.” In addition, the world-famous Radio City Rockettes® will join the presentation to help kick-off the holidays.
And here's a look back at the 2011 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
If that doesn't get you excited and willing to get up early on Thursday morning (or at the very least, set the DVR!), I'm not sure what will!
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is set to begin tomorrow (Thursday, November 22) at 9:00 a.m. ET on NBC. And as usual, the National Dog Show Presented By Purina is set to air afterward (Thursday, Nov. 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET). The dog show will air again on Friday, November 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC.
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