Overview
- New York’s balloon inflation is open to the public today on the Upper West Side from 1–6 p.m., with entry at West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue and security checkpoints and nearby street closures in effect.
- The parade airs live Thursday at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBC and Peacock with hosts Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker, a Spanish simulcast on Telemundo, and an NBC encore at 2 p.m.
- This year’s lineup features new balloons such as Buzz Lightyear, PAC-MAN, Mario and Shrek’s onion carriage, plus a Labubu element and a Stranger Things ‘Upside Down Invasion’ float alongside brands like LEGO, Lindt and Pop Mart.
- Counts vary by outlet, with reports of 32–34 giant balloons and 27–28 floats, while organizers note wind conditions will be monitored and balloons could be flown lower if needed.
- Philadelphia’s 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade begins its broadcast at 8:30 a.m. with a 9 a.m. step-off, runs along JFK Boulevard and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and will prompt posted no-parking zones and SEPTA bus detours.