Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2016: When and what time is it, how to watch live and online
THE Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is the highlight of America’s Thanksgiving day celebrations. Here is when and how you can watch it.
HIGHLIGHTS from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
When and what time does the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2016 start?
The annual holiday extravaganza begins at 9am ET (2pm GMT) and will last for around three hours.
How to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade 2016 online
The parade will be streamed live on YouTube.
For the first time ever the video giant has teamed with Verizon to offer a 360 degree view of the action.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade is the highlight of the American holidays
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2016 route – where to watch
The parade kicks off at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West. Early campers should arrive by 6am for the best viewing spots between 59th and 75th Streets.
It then turns at Columbus Circle onto Central Park South before veering south onto 6th Avenue – where are are great views from 59th to 38th Streets. There are restricted views on 6th Avenue between 34th and 38th Streets and between 6th and 7th Avenues.
The parade makes its final turn and stops infront of Macy’s Herald Square where there is no public viewing.
The route goes around New York's Central Park
Macy's Thanksgiving Parade 2016 line-up
The parade is known around the world for its enormous balloons of iconic cartoon and film characters.
This year’s line-up includes childrens’ favourites such as Hello Kitty, Pikachu, Angry Birds, Spongebob Squarepants, Paddington Bear and Charlie Brown.
From the world of film there are balloons from Trolls, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, Trolls and Ice Age’s Scat and his Acorn and festive favourite The Elf on the Shelf.
The parade is known for its giant balloons
Marching bands and floats will feature in the parade
American icons Pillsbury Doughboy and Ronald McDonald also join the line-up, which is completed by the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dino and Skylanders Eruptor.
There are a host of floats and marching bands, and performances from Olympian Laurie Hernandez, Tony Bennett, De La Soul, Regina Spektor, Johnnyswim and many more.