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Celebrate the Holidays at Macy's Herald Square in New York

November 16, 2016 | Events
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Santa in Santaland in Macy's Herald Square

New York City is a captivating place to visit any time of year, but it’s especially magical during the holiday season when it serves as the backdrop to one of the most amazing parades in the world—the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which draws visitors from all over the world and entertains them with miles of spectacular floats, balloons and marching bands.

At the center of this holiday action is Macy’s Herald Square, the end point of the parade route and a hotbed of holiday activity from November through December. Having launched the concept of a Santa Claus in a store setting back in 1862, themed holiday windows in 1870 and a Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, Macy’s New York celebrates the holidays like no other department store in the world. For many, the holidays wouldn’t be the same without the window displays that line Broadway and Seventh Avenue, Santaland and the Holiday Lane. And whether one watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade in person or on television, it’s simply a must-do for millions of people.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 2016 holiday season officially kicks off with the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® on Thursday, November 24—an anniversary event that promises more dazzling entertainment than ever before. For some, the Thanksgiving holiday begins with seeing the giant character balloons get filled with helium on Wednesday, November 23—the day before the parade—from 3-10 pm, and culminates with the procession of balloons and floats along New York’s west side, from 77th St. and Central Park West to 34th St and 7th Avenue in front of Macy's Herald Square.

This year, there’ll be 16 giant character balloons, 11 novelty balloons, 3 balloonicles (which are hybrids of cold-air balloons and vehicles) and trycaloons; 30 floats; 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers; over 1,000 clowns; 12 marching bands, as well as many celebrity performers and Santa Claus—all sure to ignite excitement and holiday spirit in viewers. Four new balloon characters—Peanuts blockhead Charlie Brown, a colorful and whimsical Diary of A Wimpy Kid®, the stars of DreamWorks’ Trolls in a multi-character balloon and the DreamWorks Animation version of Felix the Cat—will join various returning characters, including Angry Birds’ Red; Sinclair Oil’s Dino™; The Elf on the Shelf®; Hello Kitty®; Ice Age’s Scrat and his Acorn; PADDINGTON™; Pikachu™; Pillsbury™ Doughboy™; Red Mighty Morphin Power Ranger; Ronald McDonald®; Skylanders® Eruptor; SpongeBob SquarePants; and Thomas the Tank Engine®.

Four new floats will make an appearance in this year’s parade, including The Aloha Spirit by King’s Hawaiian®, Building A Better World by Girl Scouts of the USA, Deck the Halls by Balsam Hill®, and Fun House by Krazy Glue®. 

Celebrities from the worlds of film, television, state, music and sports will join various performance ensembles and marching bands from across the nation. Celebs include: the Muppets; Kelsea Ballerini; Tony Bennett; Aloe Blacc; Chloe x Halle; Easton Corbin; Daya; De La Soul; Diamante Eléctrico; Brett Eldredge; Fitz & the Tantrums; Christopher Jackson; Johnnyswim; Sandra Lee; Lunchmoney Lewis; Maddie & Tae; Sarah McLachlan; NHL legends Adam Gravesand Eric Lindros; Ben Rector; Regina Spektor; the cast of Sesame Street; Sprout’s Chica; Timeflies; U.S. Olympic Gold Medalists Michelle Carter, Laurie Hernandez and Claressa Shields; U.S. Paralympic Gold Medalists Mikey Brannigan, Gianfranco Iannotta; Grace VanderWaal; and Jacob Whitesides.

For more information, go to macys.com/parade, download the free Macy's Parade Time Traveler app or call the Parade hotline at 212-494-4495. Catch the TV broadcast on NBC from 9 am – 12 pm, ET/PT.

Read all about the 90th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day blog here.

Holiday Windows

Macy’s was the first department store to attract onlookers with windows featuring fabulous holiday displays. In 1874, R.H. Macy, the found of Macy’s staged window displays with a collection of porcelain dolls from all over the world and scenes from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” The public flocked to see them. In 1899, the displays at Macy’s original 14th Street location began integrating animation. 

Macy’s has continued to build on the tradition with ever more grand displays that set the scene for the most wonderful time of the year. Every year, the company selects new themes for its animated windows. On Fri., Nov. 18 at 5:30 pm, Macy’s Herald Square will unveil the 2016 holiday window displays—"Believe" windows celebrating the spirit of the season. Each of the six Broadway windows features a completely unique glimpse into the hopes and dreams inspired by the holidays, and salutes nine years of Macy's "Believe" campaign—a cherished letter writing campagign that raises funds for Make-A-Wish, the national organizatoin that grans the wished of children with life-threatening medical conditions.  

Believe Day

Macy's has set up giant red letterboxes throughout the store where people can place letters they have written to Santa. With every letter, Macy's donates $1 to Make-a-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million. Just drop your letter in one of the boxes or send it online at macys.com/believe.

Santaland

Remember the iconic 1947 movie “Miracle on 34th Street,” which let us all in on the fact that Macy’s is a second home for Santa? Well, during the holiday season, St. Nick still takes up residence in the Herald Square store in a hut located in the enchanting Santaland on the 8th floor. Adults and kids alike can visit him there and on the way to their meet-up, tour his scenic, interactive surroundings—helpful ‘elves’ point the way.

In 1862, R.H. Macy, the founder of Macy’s, was the first to showcase an in-store Santa for kids to visit and the tradition has continued. This year, share your wishes with St. Nick and have your picture taken with him from Fri., Nov. 25 – Sat., Dec. 24, until 4 pm. This is a fabulous way to create a special memory. Check out the New York Santaland schedule here.

Holiday Lane

No trip to Macy’s Herald Square would be complete without a walk down Holiday Lane on the 9th floor, the store’s festive Christmas décor and gift hotspot filled with everything from ornaments, nutcrackers and themed Santas to lushly adorned trees, festive linens and tableware—the merchandise is a feast for the eyes and a font of gift-giving ideas.

Be sure to meander through the Christmas-tree lined center aisle where dozens of trees capture a variety of holiday decorating styles—from whimsical to traditional.




 

About the Author

Meet Keri Hanson

Wine. Food. Travel. Repeat.