Incredibly talented actress Idina Menzel joins TODAY to discuss her sixth appearance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade and discusses the premiere of the film “Wicked” and her new musical “Redwood.”

New York native Elizabeth Kahane has been photographing the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade from her home for over 25 years. She spoke to the TODAY team about her new book, “Come Join the Parade,” which features the parade photos she took.

Macy’s CEO and Chairman Tony Spring joins us TODAY to detail what went into this year’s iconic Thanksgiving parade, how the company plans to handle Black Friday, and then shares his tips for the shopping event of the year!

The iconic balloons are inflated before the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Six new balloons have been added this year including Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf and a brand new Spider-Man balloon

Participants gather under a Minnie Mouse inflatable boat as rain falls before the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade begins in New York City this morning.

Ahead of the 98th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Creative Director Brendan Kennedy gives TODAY a first look at some of the new 2024 parade floats, from the wilds of the Bronx Zoo to the candy cosmos of the Haribo float. NBC’s Dylan Dreyer reports for “TODAY.”

Kathleen Wright, production manager for Macy’s Studios, joined TODAY to reveal how she’s working to put on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Despite losses and challenges from Hurricane Helene, an East Tennessee State University marching band was able to carry on and make it to this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. NBC News’ Joe Fryer reports.

Continuing her tradition from last year, Hoda Kotb will send Jenna Bush Hager a symbol during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade broadcast to let her know she is thinking of her.

East Tennessee State University’s marching band will perform in Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade after unexpected challenges caused by Hurricane Helene. NBC Nightly News heard from the school’s director of athletic bands about their inspiring journey.

Macy’s offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the parade’s “Go Bowling” float was made before its debut on Thanksgiving Day.

28 exciting entertainers, 11 musical marching bands, 28 clown crews and 11 performance groups will perform throughout the parade’s nearly four-hour duration.

Stars like Jennifer Hudson, Lea Salonga, T-Pain, Rachel Platten, Idina Menzel, Dan + Shay and The Temptations will perform alongside dancer and TikToker Charli D’Amelio and ballet stars Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia.

Members of the WNBA champion New York Liberty and mascot Ellie the Elephant will also perform.

Broadway’s best will showcase their talents, including actors from the musicals “Death Becomes Her,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “The Outsiders.”

And not to be outdone, Santa rounds out the lineup on his famous sleigh, the largest float in the parade at 60 feet long, 22 feet wide and 3 1/2 stories high.

Six new balloons have been confirmed for this year’s parade, including Minnie Mouse, Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf and a brand new Spider-Man balloon inspired by the art of comic book artist John Romita Sr..Six new floats will also make their parade debut this year, including “Candy Cosmos” by Haribo, “Pasta Knight” by Rao’s Homemade and “Wondrous World of Wildlife” by the Bronx Zoo, which celebrates the zoo’s animals and popular exhibits. and Netflix’s “Wednesday’s Feast,” featuring an likeness of Jenna Ortega from the hit series.

In addition, three new “Balloonicles” were developed, smaller balloons attached to bicycles that roll around the track.

It’s officially 100 years since the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first took place. TODAY Al Roker gives insight into what it takes to bring the parade to life and is then joined by the University of South Carolina Gamecocks Marching Band!

The parade begins at 8:30 a.m. ET at West 77th Street and Central Park West and ends at 12:00 p.m. ET at the Macy’s Herald Square flagship store on 34th Street.

There are 2.5 miles of designated public viewing areas along the 2024 parade route. Spectators are advised to arrive as early as 6:00 a.m. to secure the best seats.

Central Park West: Great views can be found along Central Park West from West 75th Street to West 61st Street. However, there is no public viewing in Central Park West between West 59th Street and West 60th Street.

6th Avenue: The best views are from West 59th to West 38th Street as close to the end of the parade as possible, but spectators should avoid the area on 6th Avenue between West 34th and West 38th Streets, where visibility is limited.

Rain is forecast for Thursday in New York City. So bring your ponchos – but leave your umbrellas at home – if you plan on watching the parade in person!

The parade will take place rain or shine, as the Big Apple is forecast to see pouring rain with temperatures in the 40s. Wind speeds of less than 10 miles per hour are forecast, allowing balloons to fly. The parade’s giant balloons cannot fly when maximum sustained winds reach 23 miles per hour or more or when gusts reach more than 34 miles per hour.