Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® Returns To March Down The Streets Of New York City, Kicking Off The Holiday Season For New Yorkers and The Nation

Rhea-AI Summary

Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) is set to hold its 95th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 25, 2021, returning to its traditional format after last year’s television-only event. The parade will feature giant character balloons, floats, marching bands, and celebrities, starting at 9:00 a.m. local time. Health and safety measures will be implemented, including mandatory vaccinations for participants and social distancing protocols. Specific public viewing details will be announced in November.

Positive

• Return of the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade after last year's television format.
• Implementation of health and safety protocols demonstrates a commitment to participant and spectator safety.
• Engagement with local authorities ensures compliance with health guidelines, fostering community support.

Negative

• Reduction of participants by 10-20% may limit the overall spectacle of the parade.

Macy’s outlines health & safety precautions and initial production plan for the 95^th annual event

Public viewing will return along the Macy’s Parade route, viewing details to be announced

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Macy’s, Inc. (NYSE: M) and the City of New York announced the return of the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^®, set to march down the streets of New York City for its 95^th annual holiday celebration. Following last year’s made for television celebration, the official kick-off to the holiday season will take to the streets of Manhattan on Thursday, November 25^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. On Thanksgiving Day, the spectacle will once again delight New York City spectators and a national television audience with its signature mix of giant character helium balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, performance groups, celebrities, clowns, and the one-and-only Santa Claus.

“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a New York City institution for more than nine decades, growing to become an icon of American pop culture as it annually marks the official start of the holiday season,” said Will Coss, Executive Producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “For our 95^th celebration, we are delighted to return this cherished holiday tradition closer to its original form as we march down the streets of New York City and into the homes of a nationwide audience.”

“We are thrilled to welcome back in its full form the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a world-renowned celebration that ushers in the magic of being in New York City during the holiday season,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We applaud Macy’s work to creatively continue this beloved tradition last year and look forward to welcoming back Parade watchers to experience it safely, live and in person this November.”

To once again safely produce the annual Thanksgiving Day celebration, Macy’s partnered closely with the City and State of New York to create an event production plan that would ensure health and safety practices are aligned with current CDC guidelines, as well as local and state government protocols.

The health and well-being of participants and spectators continues to be Macy’s number one priority.

Following the most up-to-date health guidelines, the City of New York will manage public viewing locations and safety procedures along designated portions of the route with access details to be announced.

For its participants and staff, Macy’s will put in place several health and safety procedures across all areas of the production.

2021 Health & Safety procedures include, but are not limited to the following:

• All volunteer participants and staff will be vaccinated. Vaccine verification will be conducted at all back of house entry points. A few exceptions to this procedure may be made at the sole discretion of Macy’s and its medical consultant based on select extenuating circumstances. For those rare instances, Macy’s medical consultant will administer COVID-19 testing and clear the individual for Parade participation.
• All participants and staff regardless of vaccination status will wear face coverings and additional protective equipment, as warranted by their role. As appropriate, exceptions may include singers, dancers and musicians performing down the route or for the national broadcast.
• Macy’s will implement a reduction in the overall number of participants of between 10 to 20 percent (approximately 800 to 1,600 participants).
• Social distancing practices will be in place at all interior/exterior Parade operations including costuming areas, seating and participant check-in.

Following the successful live audience production of this year’s Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks^® and the safe production of last year’s Parade celebration, Macy’s along with its government agency and health partners will continue to monitor evolving health trends and will be ready to implement contingency plans should conditions warrant.

2021 Macy’s Parade initial production plan (subject to change):

• Marching band, cheer and specialty group performances originally slated for the 2020 Parade will take place this year live in New York City.
• Macy’s signature giant character balloons will once again be flown with 80-100 handlers, the flight management team and its anchor vehicle.
• The return of Macy’s Balloon Inflation event is currently under consideration. More information will be announced in November.
• Details on the exact public viewing locations including viewing maps, entry guidelines and restrictions will be announced in November. Spectators are encouraged to check macys.com/parade in advance of their travel to the Parade route.

The 95^th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV, Thursday, November 25, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, in all time zones. For more information visit macys.com/parade. To follow and participate in the excitement, check out @macys on various social platforms and follow #MacysParade.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210908005696/en/

Orlando Veras

Orlando.Veras@macys.com

Christine Olver Nealon

Christine.Nealon@macys.com

Source: Macy’s, Inc.

FAQ

When will the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade take place in 2021?

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place on November 25, 2021, starting at 9:00 a.m.

What health protocols are in place for the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

All participants and staff must be vaccinated, and face coverings will be required. Social distancing measures will also be implemented.

Will there be public viewing for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Yes, public viewing will return, and specific details regarding locations will be announced in November.

What time will the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade air on TV?

The parade will air nationwide on NBC-TV from 9:00 a.m. to noon on November 25, 2021.

How many participants will be allowed in the 2021 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

There will be a reduction in participants by 10-20%, approximately 800 to 1,600 participants.